Blue chips’ take on 2016 Budget 2016 at top forum tomorrow

Bringing together the best of the diversified blue chips and conglomerates under a common platform, the Daily FT-Colombo University MBA Alumni’s post-Budget Forum at 9.00 a.m. tomorrow at the Galadari Hotel will highlight the hands-on private sector’s view on the Government’s new plan to kick-start the economy. Held for the sixth consecutive year, the joint post-Budget forum has the distinction of providing key insights from the best in the country and this year the line-up is an impressive set of business leaders drawn from diversified conglomerates so as to give a broader perspective. A top economist as well as tax expert will also speak at the forum at which Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake will be the Chief Guest.

Acclaimed economist for his independent and objective commentary, Former Central Bank Deputy Governor W.A. Wijewardena will evaluate the 2016 Budget from the point of view of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent Economic Policy Statement whilst PricewaterhouseCoopers Director Tax Services Charmaine Tillekeratne will comment on tax proposals contained in the 2016 Budget. 

The private sector observations will be shared by John Keells Holdings Plc Deputy Chairman Ajit Gunewardene, Carson Cumberbatch Plc Director Mano Selvanathan, Softlogic Holdings Plc Chairman Ashok Pathirage, CT Holdings Deputy Chairman and CEO Ranjit Page,  Hayleys Plc Director Sarath Ganegoda, Aitken Spence Plc Director Parakrama Dissanayake, Hemas Holdings Plc CEO Steven Enderby, Sunshine Holdings Group Managing Director Vish Gowindasamy and Expolanka Holdings Plc Director Sanjay Kulatunga. The panel discussion will be moderated by Daily FT Editor Nisthar Cassim.

A booklet containing key proposals of the Budget 2016 and accompanying brief observation will be available at the Daily FT-Colombo University MBAA Post-Budget Forum from its Technical Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers.  

Global financial services giant Citibank Sri Lanka has come forward as the platinum partner.  First Capital is the Silver Partner. The Creative Partner is Phoenix Ogilvy, Print Partner is OfficeMax and Electronic Media Partner is Gold and Sun FM and Hiru TV.