CEMBA/CEMPA Alumni Association elect Lakmal Gunarathna as president at 8th Annual General Meeting

Lakmal Gunarathna (left) with outgoing President Yajith de Silva

The CEMBA/CEMPA Alumni Association successfully convened its 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 20 June, 2026, bringing together distinguished academics, alumni, and members of the professional community. The event served as a platform to strengthen alumni bonds, review achievements, and chart the course for future initiatives.

A highlight of the evening was the keynote address, dedicated to the memory of the late Senior Professor Nalin Abesekera. 

Outgoing President Yajith de Silva, in his remarks, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) Vice Chancellor Senior Professor P.M.C. Thilakerathna, the academic staff, the executive committee, and the membership for their unwavering cooperation in conducting the affairs of the alumni. He emphasised that Professor Abesekera was remembered as a tower of strength to the alumni community—an eminent scholar, mentor, and visionary leader whose guidance and support shaped the association’s growth. De Silva acknowledged that his own journey as president was made possible through Professor Abesekera’s encouragement and mentorship, underscoring the profound personal and institutional impact of his legacy.

The keynote address was delivered by University of Sri Jayewardenepura Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) Senior Professor Ajantha Dharmasiri. In a deeply moving tribute titled “Nalin as a Novel Navigator”, Professor Dharmasiri reflected on Professor Abesekera’s multifaceted contributions. He described him as a scholar of stature yet humble and humane, a “navigator in marketing” who bridged global concepts with local realities by translating marketing principles into Sinhala for the benefit of entrepreneurs. Professor Abesekera’s academic journey included a PhD in Marketing and Leadership and an MBA from the University of Colombo, with recognition as an Outstanding Asian Educator in 2018 by IASPER. His editorial leadership of the Sri Lanka Journal of Management Studies and his role as reviewer for numerous international journals further highlighted his scholarly influence. Beyond academia, he was a “navigator in humanity,” a lifelong learner who valued gratitude, upheld cultural traditions, and inspired colleagues and students alike with humility and creativity. Professor Dharmasiri concluded that the best tribute to his friend was to continue his unfinished mission for the betterment of humanity.

In his remarks, Dean of the Faculty S.A.D. Senanayaka, assured his continued support for the activities of the Alumni Association. His pledge of collaboration was warmly welcomed by members, reinforcing the strong partnership between alumni and the university administration.

The Vice Chancellor, serving as Chief Guest, commended the outgoing president and committee for their dedicated service to the alumni community and for strengthening ties with the Commonwealth of Learning. He emphasised the importance of launching new short courses to equip alumni and students with multi-skilled competencies, particularly in soft skills and emerging areas of professional development. He endorsed the action plans proposed by President-elect Lakmal Gunarathna, especially in advancing AI skills, noting that such initiatives are vital for enhancing competitiveness in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Reflecting on the keynote, the Vice Chancellor stressed that the demise of Senior Professor Nalin Abesekera was not only a major loss to the Open University but also to the nation, as his scholarship and humanity had elevated Sri Lanka’s academic and professional standards.

Incoming President Lakmal Gunarathna outlined his vision to build upon the achievements of his predecessors. He pledged to expand alumni activities, foster stronger collaboration with academic staff, and introduce innovative programs that address contemporary challenges in management and leadership. He called upon members to actively engage in these initiatives, emphasising that collective effort and unity would ensure the association’s continued growth and relevance. His plans included strengthening professional networks, enhancing alumni visibility, and promoting knowledge exchange through workshops and seminars.

The evening concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by Secretary Victor Patrick, who expressed appreciation to the Vice Chancellor, faculty members, distinguished guests, sponsors, and alumni for their presence and support. He acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing committee and extended best wishes to the newly elected leadership team.