SLID and ACCA announce 2nd National Director Awards

From left: SLID Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody, National Director Awards Chair Rolf Blaser, SLID Chief Executive Officer Anitra Perera, and ACCA South Asia Head Nilusha Ranasinghe 

Following the success of the inaugural National Director Awards, the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID), in collaboration with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), is pleased to announce the return of the SLID–ACCA National Director Awards for its second year. 

Applications will officially open on 23 October 2026 and close on 30 November 2026, culminating in the National Director Awards ceremony on 10 February 2027.

Established as a national platform to recognise outstanding directorship, the Awards celebrate individuals whose leadership, governance and stewardship make a measurable contribution to their organisations, stakeholders and the wider economy.

Three New Award Categories Announced as SLID–ACCA National Director Awards 2026/27 Expands Recognition of Governance Excellence

In a significant expansion of its scope, the 2026/27 SLID–ACCA National Director Awards will introduce three prestigious new award categories, marking an important milestone in recognising excellence in governance across Sri Lanka’s public and private sectors. 

The Best Governed Organisation Award will recognise organisations demonstrating exceptional corporate governance, board effectiveness and accountability, while the Excellence in Public Sector Governance Award will honour public institutions and state-owned enterprises setting benchmarks in transparency, responsible stewardship and public value creation. The Public Sector Leadership Award will recognise outstanding individual leadership and contributions to strengthening governance within the public sector.

For the first time, the Awards will recognise both individual directors and organisations, reinforcing their position as a national platform for celebrating and advancing excellence in governance, leadership and boardroom practices.

2026/27 Award Categories: The Second National Director Awards will recognise excellence across ten categories:

Outstanding Independent Non-Executive Director of the Year; Business Leadership Award; Greatest Impact on Corporate Boards Award; Innovation in Governance Award; Sustainability Leadership Award; Equity and Diversity Champion Award; Outstanding Young Director Award (Under 40); Public Sector Leadership Award; Best Governed Organisation Award; Excellence in Public Sector Governance Award; Chair’s Award for Boardroom Excellence; and Lifetime Achievement Award.

The new Public Sector Leadership Award extends the Awards’ recognition beyond the corporate boardroom to acknowledge individuals demonstrating exceptional governance, accountability, strategic leadership and public value creation within Sri Lanka’s public sector.

SLID Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody said: “Strong boards are the foundation of strong institutions, resilient businesses and a competitive economy. Through the SLID–ACCA National Director Awards, we seek to elevate the importance of effective board leadership and recognise directors who are making a meaningful contribution to advancing corporate governance standards across Sri Lanka. The Awards form an integral part of SLID’s broader mission to strengthen the quality, professionalism and effectiveness of the country’s boardroom ecosystem, while fostering a stronger investment climate and a more competitive talent landscape.”

SLID Chief Executive Officer Anitra Perera said: “Following the success of the inaugural Awards, our ambition is to continue developing the SLID–ACCA National Director Awards into a respected national platform for celebrating and advancing excellence in directorship. More than recognition, the Awards are about setting higher standards for the future of Sri Lanka’s boardrooms. We strongly encourage directors and organisations across Sri Lanka to participate, put forward those making a real difference in the boardroom, and help us recognise the leadership that is shaping the future of governance in our country.”

ACCA South Asia Head Nilusha Ranasinghe said: “ACCA is committed to championing responsible leadership and sustainable business practices, recognising that long-term prosperity is built on transparency, accountability, ethical decision-making and strong governance. Our collaboration with SLID reflects our shared commitment to equipping and inspiring directors to lead with both financial insight and purpose—strengthening organisations and creating sustainable value for business and society.”

National Director Awards Chair Rolf Blaser said: “The National Director Awards recognise directors who demonstrate governance excellence through sound judgement, accountability and effective stewardship. Building on the inaugural Awards, our aim is to continue raising the benchmark for responsible and impactful board leadership in Sri Lanka.”

Eligible directors and leaders will be invited to submit applications across the applicable award categories. Submissions will undergo an independent evaluation process, with applications assessed against the respective category criteria by an eminent panel of judges.

The Awards seek to recognise not simply professional achievement, but demonstrable leadership, governance excellence, ethical stewardship and meaningful impact.