GISCO 2017: ‘Sustainability Through Innovation’

Organised by the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL), the second annual General Insurance Sales Congress (GISCO) was held on 25 May at the Water’s Edge in Battaramulla. The event was attended by over 500 delegates from various insurance companies and other related organisations as well as the crème de la crème of the industry. 

Gracing the event as chief guest was Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL) Chairperson Indrani Sugathadasa along with IBSL Director General Damayanthi Fernando, Commercial Bank of Ceylon Chairman Dharma Deerasinghe, who was also the event’s keynote speaker, Six Sigma Management Institute of Europe Executive Director Dr. Fabrizio Majorana and IASL President Deepthi Lokuarachchi. Following the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and the national anthem, the audience was presented with an inspiring curtain raiser that presented the theme of the congress – ‘Sustainability Through Innovation’.

In his welcome address, IASL Marketing and Sales Forum Chairman Hashra Weerawardena warmly welcomed the chief guest, special invitees and delegates and proudly announced to the gathering that 1 September had been declared as National Insurance Day by the Government. Deepthi Lokuarachchi emphasised the importance of using innovation as a means of increasing the penetration of insurance in the country. 

“It is our task and responsibility to increase the level of penetration and contribute more to the country’s GDP,” stated Lokuarachchi. Chief Guest, Indrani Sugathdasa congratulated the IASL and the MSF for having organised GISCO for the second consecutive year and explained the necessity of insurance in public enterprise and its value to the economy. Sugathdasa also placed special emphasis on the importance of effective customer relations. 

Keynote speaker Dharma Dheerasinghe provided the gathering with detailed insights into the Sri Lankan economy, its current status and the responsibilities of the insurance industry as of its stakeholders. Following an entertainment item, Dr. Fabrizio Majorana stepped up to the podium and provided the audience with an inspiring presentation of the innovative methods used by the Six Sigma Management Institute. “Process is only a means, the customer does not see the process only the quality,” stated Dr. Majorana. 

The CEO’s panel discussion followed, consisting; of Ceylinco General CEO Ajith Gunawardena, HNB Assurance CEO Deepthi Lokuarachchi, Allianz Insurance CEO Surekha Alles and Fairfirst Insurance CEO Sanjeev Jha, with NITF Chairman Manjula De Silva, as the panel’s moderator. Following the lunch break, motivational speaker – Yasas Hewage, delivered a stirring speech to inspire the gathering to work innovatively in order to ensure the development and the future of the insurance industry. A Sales and Technical panel discussion took place after Hewage’s speech. Moderated by Adel Hashim, the panel was made up of Chandana Aluthgama of HNB Assurance, Thanuja Higulage of SLIC Insurance, Sathyajith Wijepura of Ceylinco Insurance, Shamil Annam of ATL (Amana Takaful Insurance), Anura Perera of Allianz Insurance and Dayalani Abeygunawardena of Janashakthi Insurance.

Dinesh Yogarathnam, a member of the Marketing and Sales Forum, drew the day’s events to a close with his vote of thanks.