26 May 2026: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) on Tuesday launched its inaugural Sustainability Summit at Cinnamon Life, drawing an unprecedented gathering of corporate leaders including C-suite executives, board members, regulators, and global sustainability experts.
Held under the theme “Leading with a Sustainable Mindset: Building Resilience in an Uncertain World,” the summit marked a defining moment in positioning the accountancy profession as a key driver of Sri Lanka’s sustainable transformation.
The landmark event brought together global partners, corporate leaders, regulators, and members of the accounting profession. The strong corporate presence signalled that sustainability has evolved from a compliance requirement into a boardroom priority.
The event was graced by Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of UNDP Sri Lanka, who attended as Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address titled “From Strong Governance and Transparent Disclosure to Green Finance and Resilient Growth.” She emphasised that this is where Sri Lanka’s sustainable future takes shape.
CA Sri Lanka President Mr. Tishan Subasinghe, Vice President Ms. Anoji De Silva, Chairman of the Sustainability Summit Mr. Ashane Jayasekara, Chairman of the Summit Technical Committee Mr. Suranga Indunil, and Chief Executive Officer Ms. Lakmali Priyangika were also in attendance.
Mr. Subasinghe set the tone with a powerful address, stating that sustainability is no longer a peripheral consideration; it has become a defining force shaping national resilience, economic competitiveness, and long-term stability. “For Sri Lanka, at a pivotal inflection point marked by escalating climate risks, shifting global capital flows, and the imperatives of economic transformation, the decisions made today by organisations and professionals will determine the nation’s trajectory for generations to come.”
He further emphasised the importance of responsible leadership, stating: “Sri Lanka’s corporate sector, professional bodies, and regulatory institutions must act in alignment, embedding sustainability into strategy, disclosure, and governance in line with the expectations of an increasingly interconnected and discerning global community.
The Knowledge Partners of the CA Sri Lanka Sustainability Summit were the Colombo Stock Exchange, Deloitte Sri Lanka, and EY Sri Lanka.
Mr. Jayasekara, who delivered the opening remarks, noted that with increasing emphasis on SLFRS S1 and S2 standards, organisations must move beyond compliance and disclosures to embed sustainability into strategy, governance, and long-term value creation. He stated: “As businesses face growing expectations from investors, customers, and society, transparent and credible sustainability reporting has become essential for building trust and competitiveness. This landmark initiative by CA Sri Lanka will inspire organisations to embrace sustainability as a core business imperative.
The summit featured two impactful sessions designed to deliver practical and strategic insights. Session 1 focused on “Leading with a Sustainable Mindset – Understanding Risk and Building Resilience in an Uncertain World”, while Session 2 explored “How IFRS S1 and S2 Shift Sustainability Reporting from Compliance to Credibility, and How that Credibility Shapes Investor Confidence, Regulatory Oversight, and Board Accountability.”
Session 1 featured Ms. Pyumi Sumanasekara, Partner at KPMG; Prof. Subhash Abhayawansa, Professor of Accounting at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, and recognised as an Elsevier Top 2% Global Scientist (2024); Mr. Shailesh Tyagi, Sustainability and Climate Finance Specialist at Deloitte; and Ms. Nilupa Perera, Chief Regulatory Officer at the Colombo Stock Exchange.
A panel discussion followed, with insights shared by Ms Dulani Sirisena, Senior Economist at UNDP; Dr Rohan Fernando, Director of the Group Board at Aitken Spence PLC; and Mr Prins Perera, Senior Vice President and Head of Treasury at DFCC Bank, who contributed perspectives on sustainability finance, governance, and strategy.
Session 2 was opened by Mr. Sharath Martin, Senior Policy Consultant, Asia Pacific, ACCA, and Ms. Arina Kok, Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader at EY Asia Pacific. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring Mr. Mohan Thanthirige, Senior Vice President and Group Financial Controller at John Keells Holdings PLC; Ms. Prashani Illangasekera, General Manager, Group ESG at Hayleys PLC; and Mr. Sampath Jayawardena, Senior Director at EY Sri Lanka. The session was moderated by Mr. Suranga Indunil, Chief Risk Officer and Group Head of Risk and Control at Brandix Apparel Limited.
