Business
CFA Society Sri Lanka announces appointment of new CEO, Aruna Alwis
CFA Institute has earned an important reputation as a professional organization providing finance education to investment professionals. Recently, CFA Society Sri Lanka (CFASL) announced the appointment of Aruna Alwis as its new Chief Executive Officer to help drive its vision forward.
Prior to joining CFASL, Aruna Alwis served as Chief Executive Officer/Secretary of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, Director Operations of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Sri Lanka, and CEO of the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka. Aruna Alwis received his Executive Education from INSEAD, IIM Bangalore, Open University UK, and DCAAP Philippines. He is a professional member of the British Computer Society, UK and holds a Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Colombo and a MBA from Warnbourgh University, UK.
CFASL is set to play a more influential role locally under his Executive Leadership in the coming months, with a series of new programs helping to further strengthen the Finance and Investment industry. It is believed that these initiatives will help reinforce the industry locally and enhance its regional and international links further.
The Capital Market Awards, Research Challenge competition, Women in Finance initiatives, Candidates council events and 20th Anniversary Celebrations are some of the league events being organised by CFASL to support the enhancement of skills and competencies of the country’s Finance and Investment professionals and the industry as a whole.
President of CFASL Dinesh Warusavitharana commented on the appointment of Aruna Alwis: “The appointment of the new CEO marks an exciting time for growth and development as CFASL celebrates its 20th Anniversary.” He said, “Aruna is the right leader for CFASL due to his extensive corporate relationships spanning Finance, Accounting, ICT, Education, Media, and the Government. This ties together with his wide international exposure and proven business development skills. We have no doubt that his expertise will help CFASL strengthen its position both locally and internationally, and develop strategic alliances, as well as foster the Finance and Investment industry in Sri Lanka.”
Brenda Hou, CFA Institute’s Senior Director of Society Relations, Asia Pacific, said, “This senior executive appointment marks an important milestone in CFA Society Sri Lanka. Our CFA Societies primarily operate as volunteer-run, not-for-profit organizations. This appointment allows CFA Society Sri Lanka to expand its engagement with members, candidates and the industry more broadly, to fulfil our shared mission of promoting the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence across the financial services industry.”
Aruna Alwis said he is excited to join CFASL, which, he said, comes at a very critical time, with the Investment industry rooting for development in leaps and bounds. “I am looking forward to working with all the stakeholders to develop a portfolio of services that attracts, retains and involves members at all stages and supports the Finance and Investment, and business community, including the Government of Sri Lanka,” he said.
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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