IIA Sri Lanka’s 11th National Conference on 13 Aug. to shape future of internal audit in AI era

Over 400 internal audit, governance, risk and technology professionals representing over 100 public and private sector organisations are expected to gather in Colombo on 13 August 2026 for the 11th National Conference of The Institute of Internal Auditors Sri Lanka (IIA Sri Lanka).

The conference, to be held at the Lumina Ballroom at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, will focus on the theme “Transforming Internal Audit – Leading with Intelligence, Integrity, and Impact in the AI-Accelerated Era.”

Against a backdrop of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, data analytics, emerging technologies and increasingly complex organisational risks, the conference will examine how the internal audit profession must evolve to remain relevant, trusted and capable of creating meaningful organisational value. The Institute of Internal Auditors Sri Lanka President Muzawwir Manzeer said technological transformation was fundamentally changing both the risks faced by organisations and the expectations placed on internal audit functions.

“AI is not simply changing the tools internal auditors use; it is changing the risks organisations face, the speed at which decisions are made and the expectations placed on assurance functions. Internal auditors must therefore develop the intelligence to understand emerging risks, maintain the integrity and professional judgement required to challenge effectively, and demonstrate tangible impact within their organisations,” he said. He added that the National Conference would bring together professionals from across the public and private sectors to exchange perspectives, learn from practitioners and collectively consider how the profession should respond to an increasingly technology-driven business environment.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) President Tishan Subasinghe will attend the conference as Chief Guest, while entrepreneur and Industrial Development Board Chairman Yasas Hewage will deliver the keynote address. The conference has been structured around three interconnected themes — Intelligence, Integrity and Impact — reflecting the capabilities required for internal audit functions to remain effective in an AI-accelerated environment.

Intelligence: Harnessing AI and analytics for smarter assurance

The first session, “Harnessing Analytics, AI and Technology for Smarter Assurance,” will examine how internal auditors can use emerging technologies to improve risk identification, broaden assurance coverage and provide more timely and meaningful insights to boards and management. The discussion will also explore how technology can move internal audit beyond traditional retrospective reviews towards more continuous, data-driven and forward-looking assurance.

Speakers for the session include MAS Holdings Director – Group Risk and Control Natalie Warawita; Kaya Cyber Security Architect and Director Tharaka Mahabage and ZeeDimension Director – GRC Solutions Obada Hattab. The session is expected to address both the opportunities created by technology and the governance, reliability and professional judgement considerations that arise when artificial intelligence and analytics become embedded within assurance activities.

Integrity: Strengthening trust, judgement and professional excellence

The second session, “Strengthening Trust, Judgement and Professional Excellence,” will turn the focus towards the human capabilities that remain critical even as audit processes become increasingly technology-enabled. The discussion will consider professional judgement, ethical leadership, credibility, critical thinking and the skills internal auditors will require as artificial intelligence assumes a greater role in analysing information and supporting decision-making.

Inqube Global Vice President – Risk and Governance Dr. Prasenna Balachandran will share their perspectives on how internal auditors can maintain professional excellence while adapting to new technologies and changing stakeholder expectations. The session will reinforce the importance of ensuring that technology enhances — rather than replaces — professional skepticism, independent judgement and accountability.

Impact: Creating strategic value and organisational resilience

The third conference theme will focus on Impact, examining how internal audit can move beyond its traditional assurance role and contribute more directly to organisational resilience and strategic decision-making. The session will explore audit transformation, emerging risks and the evolution of assurance functions as organisations respond to technological disruption, economic uncertainty and increasingly interconnected business risks.

Speakers will include BDO Malta Head of Audit, Risk and Compliance Tahsinur Rahim and Director – Internal Audit Dhayalaruban Thangaraja. The discussion will consider how internal audit functions can retain their independence while becoming more responsive to the issues that matter most to boards, audit committees and executive leadership.

Bringing Intelligence, Integrity and Impact together

One of the highlights of the conference will be a Cross-Theme Panel Discussion bringing together the three central dimensions of the conference — Intelligence, Integrity and Impact. The panel will examine how organisations can balance technological advancement with sound judgement, effective governance and the need to demonstrate measurable business value.

Panelists will include Dialog Finance Chief Data and Analytics Officer Yasith Fernando; KPMG Managing Partner Suren Rajakarier; and Director and Management Consultant Chaaminda Kumarasiri. The discussion will be moderated by Amana Bank Chief Internal Auditor Numair Cassim.

Beyond the technical program, the National Conference will provide a platform for internal auditors, governance professionals, business leaders and technology specialists from diverse industries to exchange experiences, build professional relationships and strengthen collaboration across Sri Lanka’s public and private sectors. The conference comes at a time when internal audit functions globally are being challenged to respond to rapidly developing areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance, regulatory expectations, and geopolitical uncertainty and changing business models.

As organisations increasingly rely on technology and data to make critical decisions, the ability of internal audit to provide trusted, independent and forward-looking assurance is expected to become increasingly important.

Established in 2005, The Institute of Internal Auditors Sri Lanka is the national professional body dedicated to advancing the internal audit profession and strengthening governance, risk management and assurance practices in Sri Lanka. As an affiliate of The Institute of Internal Auditors (The IIA), the global professional body for internal auditing, IIA Sri Lanka connects local professionals with internationally recognised standards, certifications, research, technical guidance and professional-development opportunities. Through education, advocacy, knowledge-sharing and industry engagement, IIA Sri Lanka continues to support the development of internal audit professionals capable of delivering trusted assurance and sustainable value to their organisations.