‘I AM’: Innovator, game-changer and visionary

The Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) will be hosting its fourth consecutive Chairman’s Forum on 29 September. This much-awaited event, titled ‘I AM’, will feature another exciting line-up of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs who will share their success stories, their challenges, the progression and succession plans and the will to survive in volatile market spaces of their individual businesses. 

The three panellists, Softlogic Holdings PLC Chairman/CEO Ashok Pathirage, Kapruka.com Chairman/Founder Dulith Herath and EPIC Technology Group Founder Chairman/Managing Director Dr. Nayana Dehigama are leaders in the areas of diversified holdings, e-commerce and IT.

“Entrepreneurs are born to be different as they must have the will to survive. That is why we have themed this year’s event ‘I AM’ to emphasise who they are and what they believe to be true,” said COYLE Chairman Kasun Rajapakse. “Each panellist will share their journeys and talk candidly about how they have succeeded in this country as entrepreneurs.”

This year’s special guest speakers are Everest climbers, Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala and Johann Peiris who will share their stories as they battled ‘all odds’ and death defying circumstances to summit the highest peak in the world. Their immense strength and perseverance is a great example of how fortitude and determination is key to achieving one’s ultimate goal and will add to the motivational and thought-provoking panel discussion.

The moderator of the forum is Dr. Arittha Wikramanayake who will encourage the panellists to speak honestly and openly about their individual journeys through tough times and hard knocks. Dr. Arittha is the precedent partner of Nithya Partners, a well-established law firm. 

Sampath Bank has once again come forward as Title Sponsor of this event because of its reputation for supporting local entrepreneurs. 

The Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) is an organisation that reflects a new way of thinking as well as a youthful energy that is much needed for a dynamic private sector. While keeping true Sri Lankan value, COYLE has staunchly safeguarded the interest of the local entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka and acts as link between the local entrepreneurs and the ruling government.

COYLE is the only chamber where 116 controlling shareholders or chairmen sit and advocate together. COYLE’s members contribute over 600 billion rupees per annum to the economy of Sri Lanka. The forum will be held at The Kingsbury Hotel, Balmoral Hall on 29 September. The event will start at 5:45 p.m. followed by networking and cocktails. For further details, please contact COYLE Secretariat on 0112 883560 or 011 7538615. Tickets can be purchased online at Tickets.LK, coylechairmansforum.lk, kapruka.lk, Sampath Bank Super Grade Branch Greenpath, DSI Premier Showrooms, Dialog Arcade Union Place, Galleria Showroom, Java Lounge and Coffee Bean outlets.