IIA Sri Lanka’s 11th National Conference highlights future of internal audit

Tuesday, 18 August 2026 11:43 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Chief Guest, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka President Tishan Subasinghe

The Institute of Internal Auditors Sri Lanka (IIA Sri Lanka) successfully concluded its 11th National Conference on 13 August 2026 at the Lumina Ballroom, Cinnamon Life, Colombo, bringing together nearly 500 professionals from internal audit, governance, risk management, finance, and technology and business leadership.

Held under the theme “Advancing Internal Audit: Intelligence, Integrity and Impact,” the conference examined how the profession must respond to artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, fraud risks, sustainability expectations and geopolitical uncertainty.

Chief Guest the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka President Tishan Subasinghe highlighted the importance of governance, accountability and collaboration between the accounting and internal audit professions. Keynote speaker the Industrial Development Board Chairman Yasas Hewage shared perspectives on leadership, innovation and converting ideas into meaningful action. A special recorded message from The Institute of Internal Auditors President and CEO Anthony J. Pugliese connected the conference with the global direction of the profession.

The technical program featured Natalie Warawita, Obada Hattab, Tharaka Mahabage, Abhishek Gupta, Dr. Prasenna Balachandran, Tahsinur Rahim and Dhayalaruban Thangaraja. Their sessions explored audit analytics, AI-powered assurance, agentic AI, cybersecurity, fraud resilience, emerging risks and the development of future-ready internal auditors. The conference concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Numair Cassim and featuring Suren Rajakarier, Chaaminda Kumarasiri and Yasith Fernando. The discussion examined how intelligence and professional integrity enable internal audit to create strategic organisational impact.

A significant milestone was the presentation of the inaugural Outstanding Contribution to the Internal Audit Profession of Sri Lanka Award to Dharshana De Silva, recognising his longstanding national and international contribution.

IIA Sri Lanka President Muzawwir Manzeer said internal auditors must combine technological intelligence with professional integrity and sound judgement to create meaningful impact.

IIA Sri Lanka continues to advance the profession through advocacy, training, networking, student engagement and globally recognised professional development, including pathways to the Certified Internal Auditor qualification. Through its collaboration with CA Sri Lanka, eligible Chartered Accountants can also pursue the accelerated CIA Challenge Exam. IIA Sri Lanka thanked its speakers, delegates, sponsors, strategic partners, Conference Committee and volunteers for contributing to the conference’s success.