30 experts to show way forward to reforming Sri Lankan economy

Daily FT-Colombo Uni MBA Alumni Association Forum provides unique platform to prioritise 

key reforms

Sri Lanka urgently needs a spate of third generation reforms to improve business climate and achieve higher and sustainable socio-economic growth. Under a joint initiative by the Daily FT and the Colombo University MBA Alumni Association a first of its kind forum next Tuesday will highlight and prioritise key reforms. 

Titled “Reforms: The Way forward for Sri Lanka” the full day forum on 17 May at Hotel Galadari will bring around 30 public and private experts to share key insights. DFCC is the strategic partner for the Forum.

Organisers said reforms is a wider subject and there have been many ideas and suggestions shared in the past and lately. The Forum will therefore endeavour to highlight what Sri Lanka should prioritise in the medium to long term.

 Via one hour sessions, the conference will deal with broader reform sectors such as Agriculture, Trade, Services and Industry - Ease of Doing Business, Financial Services, Labour and HR; and Public Sector/Public Enterprise.

The Forum is an ideal opportunity for both public and private sector to be enlightened as well as share their ideas on the way forward and reforming relevant sectors and thereby Sri Lanka’s economy for the future good. The relevant sector Minister and his Secretary and public and private sector leaders have been invited to share their view points.

The session on Labour and Human capital will see a keynote address by Labour Minister John Seneviratne whilst the panelists will be Ministry of Labour Secretary S.M.Gotabaya Jayarathna, Inter Company Employee Union President Wasantha Samarasinghe , Brandix Group Chief People Officer Ishan Dantanarayana , and National Human Resource Development Council Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody.

The session on agriculture will involve a keynote by Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake with panelists being Ministry of Agriculture Secretary B. Wijayatne, Hayleys Plc Managing Director, Head of Agriculture sector Rizvi Zaheed, Agriculture Dept Director General Dr. Rohan Wijekoon and University of Peradeniya Agriculture Education Unit Director Prof P.W.M.Buddhi  Marambe.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake will deliver the keynote address at the session on banking and finance sector reforms. Panelists will be Ministry of Finance Secretary Dr.R.H.S. Samaratunga, Central Bank of Sri Lanka Deputy Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe , BOC/SEC Commission Director Ranel Wijesinha and DFCC Bank Plc CEO Arjun Fernando.

The session on public and public enterprise reforms will see a keynote by Public Enterprise Development Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne with panelists being Public Administration and Management Ministry Secretary J. Dadallage, LIRNEasia Chair Prof. Rohan Samarajiva , TW Corp Ltd Chairman Thilan Wijesinghe, and Immigration & Emigration Controller General M.N. Ranasinghe.

The full day forum will conclude with a session on trade, industry and services, focusing on ease of doing business. The keynote will be delivered by Development Strategies & International Trade Deputy Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe, and the panelists are Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Chairman Upul Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka Export Development Board Chairperson Indira Malwatte, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Former CEO Mangala Yapa, Camso Loadstar Chairman Pierre Pringiers, Laugfs Holdings Chairman W.K.H.Wegapitiya, and DFCC Bank Plc Deputy CEO Lakshman Silva.

For registrations, contact Thilani on 0768223926 or via email [email protected]