AICPA & CIMA - JXG Relaunch Pinnacle Awards to Inspire a New Era of Business Leadership

The Pinnacle Awards, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected corporate recognition platforms, are making a much-anticipated comeback after nearly two decades—with the backing of JXG (Janashakthi Group) in collaboration with AICPA & CIMA Sri Lanka. The revival of these prestigious awards signifies not just the return of a legacy initiative, but a powerful recommitment to championing excellence in corporate leadership, innovation, and high-impact performance.

Speaking on the relaunch, Mr. Ramesh Schaffter, Managing Director/Group CEO of JXG (Janashakthi Group), shared the significance of reintroducing this platform at a time when Sri Lanka’s corporate sector is looking to evolve and compete globally. “The Pinnacle Awards were originally launched by Janashakthi Insurance and have always reflected our ethos of pursuing excellence and nurturing leadership. Relaunching them now feels like a natural evolution—an opportunity to reconnect with a powerful legacy that remains profoundly relevant,” he noted.

Mr. Schaffter emphasised that this partnership with CIMA is more than symbolic—it’s strategic. “As a dynamic and emerging financial conglomerate in Sri Lanka, JXG is committed to inspiring innovation and driving meaningful impact. The Pinnacle Awards align seamlessly with our forward-looking vision to cultivate a high-performing business culture not only within our group but across the broader corporate ecosystem.”

What sets the CIMA-JXG Pinnacle Awards apart from other industry recognitions is their uncompromising emphasis on credibility and transparency. “The evaluation process is rigorous, objective, and merit-based,” Mr. Schaffter explained. “Winners are not chosen on popularity but on genuine, measurable impact. This ensures that those who are recognised truly represent the best in Sri Lanka’s corporate world.”

Beyond recognition, the awards are designed to create lasting impact. “We believe the CIMA-JXG Pinnacle Awards will foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. By recognizing outstanding teams and individuals, we encourage businesses to elevate their standards and push boundaries. It’s about creating a ripple effect of excellence,” he said.

The awards are also positioned to serve as a powerful platform for leadership development. By showcasing local role models and celebrating their journeys, the initiative aims to empower emerging leaders with tangible examples of what success looks like in a Sri Lankan context. Ultimately, this initiative will help build a sustainable leadership ecosystem that supports Sri Lanka’s corporate growth and drives the country’s economic progress,” he added.

With a legacy of past winners who have gone on to lead some of Sri Lanka’s most influential organizations, JXG is committed to ensuring continuity. “We’ve signed on to host the CIMA-JXG Pinnacle Awards once in every two years over the next four years. This commitment underscores our dedication to creating a consistent platform that not only recognizes outstanding corporate achievements but also helps to build a lasting legacy of excellence in Sri Lanka’s business community. Looking beyond this initial period, we are actively exploring ways to ensure the awards continue well into the future, evolving to meet the changing needs of the corporate and financial sectors.”

Looking ahead, Mr. Schaffter expressed optimism about the partnership with CIMA. “This collaboration brings together JXG’s entrepreneurial spirit and deep market insights with CIMA’s global standards and strategic thought leadership. Together, we hope to cultivate a new generation of business leaders who are not only globally competitive but deeply rooted in values that matter.”

Speaking on the revival, Tharindu Wijewardana, Country Head for AICPA & CIMA Sri Lanka, highlighted that the timing of this initiative is no coincidence. “The business landscape in Sri Lanka has evolved dramatically. Amid digital transformation, ESG goals, and the call for inclusive leadership, it’s now more important than ever to acknowledge organisations and professionals who are not only adapting but leading with purpose,” he said.

According to Wijewardana, the partnership with JXG was both natural and strategic. “JXG’s legacy of transforming Sri Lanka’s insurance and financial sectors mirrors our commitment to nurturing transformative business leadership. Their diverse expertise across finance, insurance, and investment makes them the perfect partner to relaunch the Pinnacle Awards with relevance and scale. This collaboration therefore not only reinforces the prestige of the Pinnacle Awards but also elevates their reach and impact, ensuring that the recognition stays aligned with the highest standards of business excellence.”

He further added that the 2025 edition was already receiving enthusiastic support from Sri Lanka’s business community, following the successful gala relaunch hosted at Cinnamon Life. With over 250 distinguished guests in attendance, the event showcased the powerful appetite for meaningful recognition in the corporate sphere.

Mr.Schaffter concluded, outlining a clear vision: Our goal is for this collaboration and the CIMA-JXG Pinnacle Awards to evolve into a powerful catalyst for meaningful change—one that is a means of nurturing a new generation of professionals and organisations who are not just successful locally, but equipped to compete and thrive on the global stage. By fostering a culture of innovation, integrity, and continuous improvement, we aim to empower Sri Lanka’s business leaders to be globally competitive and aligned with the rapidly changing dynamics of the international marketplace. This is about building a foundation for long-term national progress through world-class leadership and forward-looking thinking.”

With the combined strengths of CIMA’s global leadership in professional development and JXG’s deep-rooted commitment to national progress, the Pinnacle Awards stands poised to inspire a new era of excellence—fueling ambition, shaping leadership, and reinforcing Sri Lanka’s position as a hub for world-class business talent.