Buddhist Business Forum 2018 on ‘Buddhist Leadership Practices in Business’

The Buddhist Business Forum 2018 is organised by the National Council for lnternational Affairs of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, and will be held on 16 October at the BMICH Jasmine Hall. 

It was at the 25th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) held in Sri Lanka that the WFB Buddhist Business Forum was held for the first time, serving as a platform where Buddhist businessmen could share information and experiences to further cooperation for socio-economic development of Buddhist communities. 

The Forum has been a regular feature of the WFB activity since. With the celebrations of 100 years of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, an lnternational Buddhist Business Forum with participation from all Buddhist countries will be organised next year.

The main objective of the Buddhist Business Forum is to practice and propagate the sublime doctrine of Lord Buddha in the conduct of business, social, educational, cultural and other humanitarian services and to secure unity, solidarity, brotherhood and networking amongst Buddhists.

The theme of the Buddhist Business Forum 2018, ‘Buddhist leadership practices in business’ will focus on Buddhist values in business encompassing ethics, Buddhist economics, practicing the Middle Path, with special reference to the Sigalovada Sutta to achieve maximum wellbeing of all.

Topics will cover Buddhist ethics and spirituality, technology, innovation, networking, education & skill development, social and environmental responsibilities, sustainability and business success based on Buddhist values.

Eminent Buddhist monks, learned academics and professionals and business leaders will address the Buddhist Business Forum.

The inaugural session will commence at 9 a.m. on 16 October and will be presided over by Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple & Chief Sangha Nayaka of the Western Province, Ven Dr Galaboda Gnanissara Nayaka Thero, and the Chief Guest will be Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya.

The keynote address on Buddhist Values in Business – Sigalovada Sutta and Buddhist approach to business will be delivered by University of Sri Jayawardenapura Pali and Buddhist studies Head Ven. Prof. Madagampitiya Wijithadhamma Thero.

All Ceylon Buddhist Congress President Jagath Sumathipala, National Council of lnternational Relations Chairman Prof Lakshman R Watawala, and Deputy Chairman Sumathi Dharmawardena will address the inaugural sessions.

After the inaugural session, the Business Forum will commence, and will comprise three technical sessions based on the theme ‘Buddhist leadership practices in business’.

Session 2 will be on the theme ‘A new paradigm for sustainable business founded on Buddhist values and ethics’, which will include two addresses on ‘Buddhist ethics and spirituality in leading business organisations’ by Management Consultant Deepal Sooriyaratchchi, and ‘Entrepreneurship, technology, innovation & networking for sustainable business’ by Kapruka.com Founder and Chairman Dulith Herath. The session will be chaired by CIABOC Director General and Presidents Counsel Sarath Jayamanna. The panellists will be Kandygs (Exports) Ltd. Director Anuradha Yahampath and Vogue Jewellers Managing Director Anura Hemachandra. 

The theme of Session 3 will be ‘A radical transformation of attitudes, perspectives and practices for business development based on Buddhist values’, and will include addresses on ‘Education and skill enhancement for business development’ by Gateway Group of Schools Chairman Dr. Harsha Alles and ‘Social and environmental responsibility for a sustainable corporate world’ by Sarvodaya General Secretary Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne.

The session will be chaired by University of Colombo Faculty of Management & Finance Professor of Business Economics Prof. H D Karunaratne, and the panellists will be Colombo School of Business Management Head and Prof. Ranjith Bandara and Foundation of Goodness Founder/Chief Trustee Kushil Gunasekera.Session 4 will be a panel discussion on ‘Business success based on Buddhist values’, and the Chairman/Moderator of the session will be Siyapatha Finance PLC Deputy Chairman Prashantha Lal De Alwis PC. The panellists will include Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC Managing Director Aravinda Perera, DSI Samson Group Ltd. Managing Director Kulatunga Rajapakse, Lanka Tiles PLC Managing Director Mahendra Jayasekera, and Ramya Holdings and Apparels Chairperson Ramya Weerakoon.

Those interested in register for the Buddhist Business Forum please contact Puthula/Diuni on 07773440000, email [email protected] or Tharuki 01126961695/0112688517 or 0112667017.