News
SLIM ushers in new era of leadership at AGM 2026
The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the country’s national body for marketing, successfully convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026 on 8th April 2026 at the iconic Galle Face Hotel. The AGM marked a significant milestone in the Institute’s journey, as a new Council of Management and Executive Committee were formally appointed to steer SLIM into its next phase of growth. Building on the strong foundation laid during a transformative 2025, the AGM reflected both continuity and renewal, with an accomplished group of marketing professionals entrusted with leadership roles for the 2026/27 term.
The event brought together SLIM members, industry leaders, and stakeholders, underscoring the Institute’s ongoing commitment to advancing the marketing profession in Sri Lanka.
At the helm of the newly appointed Council of Management is Enoch Perera, who assumes office as President. A seasoned marketing professional with extensive experience in international business, he currently serves as Assistant General Manager Marketing – International Business at PGP Glass Ceylon PLC. Joining him in key leadership roles are Manthika Ranasinghe as Vice President – Education and Research, and Rajiv David as Vice President – Events & Sustainability, both bringing with them strong industry expertise and strategic insight.
The Council is further strengthened by Asanka Perera and Nuwan Thilakawardhana as Joint Honorary Secretaries, Kaushala Amarasekara as Treasurer, and Rasanjalee Abeywickrama as Honorary Assistant Secretary. In addition, SLIM announced its Executive Committee for 2026/27, comprising a dynamic group of professionals representing diverse sectors of the marketing industry. The committee includes Channa Jayasinghe, Vijitha Govinna, Anuk De Silva, Sirimevan Senevirathne, Tharindu Karunarathne, Damith Jayawardana, Charitha Dias, Damith Pathiraja, Roshani Fernando, and Maduranga Weeratunga.
Delivering his first address as President, Enoch Perera emphasized the importance of building on SLIM’s recent momentum while embracing new opportunities in a rapidly evolving marketing landscape. He said, “SLIM stands today at a powerful intersection of transformation and opportunity. As we take forward the remarkable progress achieved in recent years, our focus will be on strengthening professional standards, expanding global engagement, and ensuring that Sri Lanka’s marketing fraternity is equipped to compete on an international stage.”
News
Report on the Final Budgetary Condition (Annual Report) – 2025 submited to parliament
As per the provisions of section 51 of the Public Finance Managaement Act No. 44 of 2024, the public should be issued with a report on the final budgetary situation for each year and, the report is then published in the official website of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Thereby the report has to be submitted to the Parliament. The final budgetary situation report (Annual Report) – 2025 has been prepared by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and published. The report contains the Public Finance Policy, strategies and challenges, economic trends in 2025, macro – economic and socio – economic indicators covering all sectors of the economy as well as description on the global economic growth.
Furthermore, it accompanies a detailed description government revenue and expenditure, cash flow management, financing the budget deficit and the loan structure.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the Report on the Final Budgetary Condition (Annual Report) – 2025 to Parliament.
Business
Cabinet nod to accept increased Loan Grant provided by the Asian Development Bank under Policy Based Loan Facilities – 2026
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 16.03.2026 to obtain United States Dollars 380 million from the policy – based loan facilities of the Asian Development Bank in the year 2026.
United States Dollars 100 million out of it is allocated for Trade, Investment and Industries Development Programme – Sub Programme 1. However, amidst the economic uncertainty resulting from the current Middle East crisis and the climatic tragedies, the Asian Development Bank has agreed to assist
by increasing a supplementary financing package of United States Dollars 100 million so that it will beMincreased up to United States Dollars 200 million.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to take further measures to obtain the said loan grant.
News
Submission of Revenue Protection Order Prepared under the Provisions of the Revenue Protection Act No. 19 of 1962 to the Parliament for its approval.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was given at the meeting held on 23.02.2026 to impose the custom import duty amounts under four (04) categories as 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% which had been executed only under three (03) categories in order to increase the target export income of the country, to execute the
recommendations of the national customs duty policies committee, and to implement new national sub division customs codes for promoting the local agricultural and industrial sector.
Imposing provisions in relation to the above, the Revenue Protection Order – No. 01/2026 under the Revenue Protection Act No. 19 of 1962 has been published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2478/03 of 03.03.2026.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the said revenue protection order to Parliament for its concurrence.
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