CSE to engage listed companies in ‘Beyond Basics: Excellence in Corporate Governance’

• Online 2-part series forum

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) will be conducting a two-part series of online forums themed ‘Beyond Basics: Excellence in Corporate Governance’. 

The forums will offer participants an in-depth understanding on the importance of good corporate governance practices and how it would increase investor confidence through transparency and accountability. 

The first session is set to take place on 3 March from 3:30 p.m. onwards while the follow-up session is set for 18 March from 3 p.m. onwards. The platform anticipates bringing together listed company chairpersons, directors, C-level executives and other senior experts responsible for implementing best practice corporate governance.

The first session will elaborate on a comprehensive discussion on the salient governance aspects set out in the CSE listing rules (corporate disclosures and related party transactions), responsibilities of directors, board sub-committees and their working (audit, remuneration and nominations committees) and panel discussions proceeded by Q&A sessions. 

CSE Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CSE Chief Regulatory Officer Renuke Wijayawardhane, CSE Head of Trading Operations Market Surveillance and Corporate Affairs Nilupa Perera, Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC Chairman Dr. Harsha Cabral, Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Independent Non-Executive Director Anil Tittawella, Seylan Bank PLC Independent Director/Senior Director Coralie Pietersz, Management Systems Ltd. Chairman Asite Talwatte, Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Finance Director Umair Luqman and KPMG Partner and Head of Audit Suren Rajakarier are expected to speak at the first session. 

The second session to be held on 18 March will focus on implementing internal standards of compliance and business conduct, managing conflict of interest, managing stakeholder relations and safeguards, the importance of maintaining a whistleblowing procedure and its implementation, and ESG performance reporting. 

The speakers for the second session will include Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Independent Non-Executive Director Yudhistran Kanagasabai, CSE Chief Regulatory Officer Renuke Wijayawardhane, Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC MD/CEO Nedal Salem, Carsons Cumberbatch Non-Executive Director and Hemas Holdings PLC and MAS Holdings Audit Committee member Shaktha Amarathunga, Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Legal and Corporate Affairs Director/Company Secretary Sudesh Peter, Management Systems Ltd. Chairman Asite Talwatte and Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Corporate Affairs Manager Geehanthie Rasaputra. 

The online forums are expected to be exclusive to companies listed on the CSE. Participants will be awarded a Certificate of Participation at the end of the two sessions. Interested parties representing listed companies can contact 011 2356531 or [email protected] for more information on how to register for the online event.