CIMA-ICCSL-Daily FT launch 2022 edition of Sri Lanka’s Most Admired Companies Awards

ICCSL Chairman Shanil Fernando

CIMA Country Manager for Sri Lanka Zahara Ansary

Panel of Judges Chairman Ravi Abeysuriya

For the fifth consecutive year, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), The International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) and Daily FT have launched Sri Lanka’s Most Admired Companies Awards. 

The awards are recognised as being the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka, and are for companies that are a cut above the rest in terms of not just their financial performance but also on the value they create in a sustainable and ethical way for their employees, customers, investors and the community. A public survey was circulated via the Official Telecommunication Partner Dialog Axiata PLC, requesting for the general public to vote for Companies that they admire on selected criteria.

These awards are for those who have established themselves as being excellent in business performance and across a number of other discrete performance criteria. The companies bestowed with the Top 10 Rankings are those that enjoy the strongest reputations and inspire other organisations and entrepreneurs. They have proven their mettle with honesty, integrity, and character that are truly enduring elements of a successful business organisation. 

What sets these awards apart from the plethora of award competitions and schemes, is the stringent evaluation based on globally accepted criteria by a distinguished panel of judges. Companies that have been in business for over five years as at 30 June and are 30% or more of Sri Lankan ownership are eligible to enter this awards competition, which is open to both listed and unlisted companies in Sri Lanka. 

Those ranked Top 10 will, in addition to the title, be privy to publicity and recognition throughout the country and beyond and use this as an opportunity to build further on their organisational image as well as brand. 

ICCSL Chairman Shanil Fernando stated: “This is the fifth consecutive year that we are launching these awards to recognise top performing Sri Lankan companies that have excelled in their respected industries and contributed to the overall economic growth of Sri Lanka. These awards were initiated by the past Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody. 

“We are proud to host these awards together with CIMA Sri Lanka and DailyFT with whom we have built a strong professional relationship over the last few years. ICC, through a unique mix of advocacy, solutions and standard setting, promotes international trade and responsible business conduct which we advocate to recognise through these awards. 

“ICC is the largest business organisation in the world with over 45 million members in 130 countries from many of the world’s leading companies, SMEs, business associations and local chambers of commerce.”

“Over the past few years, the industry has eagerly awaited to see which organisations get this hallowed recognition of being amongst the top ten Most Admired Companies in Sri Lanka. As the popularity of the award has grown over the years, the esteemed panel of judges have an unenviable task of evaluating an increased number of organisations on value creation and sustainable initiatives, which have won the admiration of their people and the wider stakeholders.  

“These awards recognise organisations beyond their financial performance – including how the organisations deal with exceptional situations in today’s post pandemic, crisis ridden world filled with unprecedented change and challenges. 

“As the world’s leading and largest body of professional accountants, The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, (representing AICPA & CIMA), we look forward to recognising these organisations. 

“The CIMA professional qualification helps people and businesses succeed even in challenging times and thus, we are pleased to continue our partnership with ICC Sri Lanka and Daily FT, in bringing to the business world, such initiatives,” said CIMA Country Manager for Sri Lanka Zahara Ansary FCMA, CGMA. 

Daily FT Editor Nisthar Cassim said: “Daily FT is pleased to join CIMA and ICCSL in recognising and lauding the Most Admired Companies of Sri Lanka. As we have seen, these awards are coveted by the business community in Sri Lanka and we look forward to this year’s edition. We are happy to see more outstanding organisations and leaders being recognised and hope this will inspire the next generation of young leaders.”

Panel of Judges Chairman Ravi Abeysuriya FCMA, MBA, CGMA, CFA said: “It is a privilege to be invited to judge the Sri Lanka’s Most Admired Companies 2022 for the fifth consecutive year. For any progressive company, being recognised as one of the top 10 most admired companies in Sri Lanka is a definitive signal to the world about its standing in the country. 

“To determine the top 10 companies, a distinguished panel of judges consider a host of qualitative and qualitative measures that include enduring elements of a successful business and qualitative attributes such as effective adoption of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, and extraordinary efforts on making a meaningful difference to the society. 

“It is encouraging to see more and more companies are coming forward to be considered for this prestigious award, having treasured the value of the award. Winning this award, is no easy task, and require a lot of effort from the top management, particularly the CEO to communicate to the judges why their company is worthy of admiration.”

KPMG Sri Lanka has once again come forward to be the Assurance Partner of the Awards. 

Entries closed at the end of September with the Awards ceremony slated to take place in early 2023. Further details on the awards can be obtained by e-mailing [email protected].