Business

CA Sri Lanka unveils exclusive 21st Century Board Leadership Masterclass

Published

5 years ago

2021/09/6

Future ready board members

The Business School of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) together with the Institute of Directors of Luxembourg launched a ground-breaking 21st Century Board Leadership Model Masterclass for the first time in the country. An exclusive training program aimed at developing skills and strategy of future ready board members, the masterclass targets corporate directors and c-suite executives, who aspire to go beyond their traditional scope and take on a more dynamic and challenging role as future ready leaders who possess the necessary vision and strategy to drive the organisations forward amidst mounting challenges. The masterclass was conceptualised and launched in Luxembourg and is currently offered by the Institute of Directors of Luxembourg to its European membership and is amongst the institute’s flagship programs.

The goal of the masterclass is to prepare young corporate directors and c-suite executives to be future ready 21st century board members, while inculcating the importance of creating a board response strategy and how to develop a company specific 21st Century Board Leadership strategy template. CA Sri Lanka President Manil Jayesinghe said that the COVID-19 crisis has helped professionals understand the increasing need to adapt with time, and also possess the ability to strategise towards the future, immaterial whether we are dealt with a man-made, natural or health crisis. “The masterclass by the CA Sri Lanka Business School is introduced at a very opportune time when business leaders and c-suite executives and even small and medium sized business owners to entrepreneurs need to understand the complex dynamics surrounding them and why it’s important to transition from 20th century leadership to 21st century leadership, if we are to overcome the challenges and navigate unchartered territories of the future, successfully,” he said.

The program will be delivered via seven insightful and interactive webinars covering a range of topics including introduction to the ‘21st Century Board Leadership’ model and strategy, climate emergency board response strategy, health and social emergency board response strategy, new technology challenges and opportunities, challenges and opportunities in geo-politics, economic emergency and the Board’s response strategy and governance and Board strategy advisory committee.

The ultimate goal of the program is that every participant takes back a proposal to their company Board/CEO to build on and create a 21st Century Board strategy based on what they have learned from the masterclass. The program will be delivered by an expert faculty comprising of Dr. Ravi Fernando and Raymond Schadeck. Dr. Fernando is an alumnus of the University of Cambridge and of INSEAD Business School, and Chairman of Global Strategic Corporate Sustainability Ltd., which operates in Europe, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. Schadeck is an Independent Director and Chair of The Board of Regents at Sacred Heart University Luxembourg, Jack Welch College of Business & Technology, as well as the Chair of the Board of Université dans la Nature, in Canada.

The CA Business School was established to develop business leaders who possess the ability to create, transform and sustain successful organisations. The CA Business School offers a range of courses relevant to professionals in accounting and finance as well as management and strategy. Among the programs it offers is an Executive Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, a globally recognised MBA from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia (USQ) and short courses on pertinent business and finance topics. The CA Business School has also been instrumental in partnering with globally reputed business schools such as INSEAD, DUKE CE and Euromoney Training to offer internationally recognised executive programs for Sri Lankan professionals.

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Business

ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

4 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

5 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

5 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.