CA Sri Lanka’s inaugural Sustainability Summit mobilises corporates for resilient growth

UNDP Sri Lanka Resident Representative 

Azusa Kubota

CA Sri Lanka President Tishan Subasinghe 

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) yesterday 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 UNDP Sri Lanka Resident Representative Azusa Kubota 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 Tishan Subasinghe, Vice President Anoji De Silva, Sustainability Summit Chairman Ashane Jayasekara, Summit Technical Committee Chairman Suranga Indunil, and CEO Lakmali Priyangika were also in attendance. 

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. 

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 KPMG Partner Pyumi Sumanasekara, Swinburne University of Technology Professor of Accounting Prof. Subhash Abhayawansa, who was recognised as an Elsevier Top 2% Global Scientist in 2024, Deloitte Sustainability and Climate Finance Specialist Shailesh Tyagi, and Colombo Stock Exchange Chief Regulatory Officer Nilupa Perera.

A panel discussion followed with participation from UNDP Senior Economist Dulani Sirisena, Aitken Spence PLC Group Board Director Dr. Rohan Fernando, and DFCC Bank Senior Vice President and Head of Treasury Prins Perera, who shared perspectives on sustainability finance, governance and strategy.

Session 2 commenced with presentations by ACCA Senior Policy Consultant – Asia Pacific Sharath Martin and EY Asia Pacific Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader Arina Kok.

This was followed by a panel discussion featuring John Keells Holdings PLC Senior Vice President and Group Financial Controller Mohan Thanthirige, Hayleys PLC General Manager – Group ESG Prashani Illangasekera, and EY Sri Lanka Senior Director Sampath Jayawardena. The session was moderated by Brandix Apparel Chief Risk Officer and Group Head of Risk and Control Suranga Indunil.