IAA Sri Lanka Chapter President Tharaka Ranwala highlights Sri Lanka at IAA World Congress

IAA Sri Lanka Chapter President Tharaka Ranwala awarding advertising veteran Ranil de Silva with the honorary Life Member title at the IAA Inspire Awards

Playing a prominent role at the 44th IAA World Congress held in Kochi, India, IAA Sri Lanka Chapter President Tharaka Ranwala put the spotlight on IAA’s local chapter in Sri Lanka, and shared his strategic plans to ensure a dynamic tenure at the forefront of the local advertising industry through various industry initiatives. Tharaka Ranwala is a prominent figure in the banking fraternity. As the Senior DGM of Sampath Bank, and a respected marketer in his own right, he is a highly respected professional and has been regularly invited to chair eminent judging panels with regard to marketing and advertising in Sri Lanka. Appointed President of IAA Sri Lanka Chapter earlier this year, he succeeds Laila Gunesekere-Martenstyn and has ambitious plans to take the fraternity to the next level. During the 44th IAA World Congress, Tharaka Ranwala was in the august company of other greats such as Andre Agassi, Piyush Pandey, Jacques Séguéla and Amitabh Bachchan. A significant moment for Sri Lanka was when advertising veteran Ranil de Silva was felicitated with the honorary Life Member title at the IAA Inspire Awards.

The IAA World Congress is a biannual conclave where the spotlight is trained on the communications industry in every form. World leaders in their respective area of expertise come to set forth their grand vision for the near future and professionals who are real influencers in marketing, brand management and the media form an ideal audience.

The international Advertising Association (IAA), headquartered in New York, was founded in 1938 to champion responsible marketing. The IAA, with members in over 40 countries, is a one-of-a-kind strategic global partnership comprising advertisers, media, advertising and public relations agencies, media companies and academics. The IAA is a platform for industry issues and is dedicated to protecting and advancing freedom of commercial speech, responsible advertising, consumer choice and the education of marketing professionals. 

The IAA Sri Lanka Chapter is committed to providing high quality training opportunities to help support the development of the local advertising industry, whilst ensuring its continuous evolution and progression at large.