SLID prioritises future ready boards with Sri Lanka Corporate Director Summit 2026

From left: Sutheh Balasubramaniam, Dinesh Weerakkody, Anitra Perera and Charaka Perera

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) will host the Sri Lanka Corporate Director Summit 2026, a premier governance forum designed to equip directors and business leaders with the insights required to build future-ready organisations.

Taking place on 22nd July 2026 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, the Summit will bring together board directors, chairpersons, CEOs, regulators, investors, governance professionals, and local and international experts to explore how boards can move beyond traditional oversight responsibilities and become strategic drivers of growth, resilience, innovation, and long-term value creation.

Held under the theme of creating future-ready boards, the Summit’s agenda has been carefully designed to address some of the most pressing issues facing boardrooms today. 

The event will commence with a keynote address titled “Future-Ready Sri Lankan Boards: From Compliance to Sustainable Growth,” which will draw lessons from India and other emerging economies, highlighting how strong governance can enhance competitiveness, attract investment, and help organisations remain globally investible in an increasingly fragmented world.

The first technical session, “Effective Boards Don’t Just Comply - They Lead,” will examine how high-performing boards move beyond regulatory compliance to shape organisational strategy, strengthen accountability, and support sustainable growth. The discussion will challenge traditional notions of governance and explore what distinguishes truly effective boards in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

As digital transformation continues to reshape industries, the Summit will also address the growing importance of technology governance through a dedicated session on “Governing AI, Cybersecurity & Digital Risk - A Boardroom Priority.” This discussion will focus on the board’s role in overseeing artificial intelligence, cyber resilience, data governance, and emerging digital risks, areas that are increasingly becoming critical boardroom responsibilities rather than purely operational concerns.

Another key session, “Trust is Capital - Why Reputation is a Boardroom Issue,” will explore how boards can safeguard corporate reputation, strengthen stakeholder confidence, and lead organisations through periods of uncertainty. The session will highlight the importance of transparency, ESG considerations, crisis preparedness, and ethical leadership in building trust and long-term organisational value.

Recognising that people remain at the heart of sustainable business success, the Summit will also feature a session on “Talent and Culture — What Boards Can No Longer Ignore.” Discussions will centre on succession planning, leadership development, organisational culture, workforce transformation, and the board’s role in ensuring organisations have the talent and leadership capabilities required to thrive in the future.

The day’s proceedings will culminate in a fireside chat titled “Future-Ready Sri Lankan Boards - Governance & Growth Ahead,” bringing together leading voices in governance and business to discuss how stronger board leadership and globally credible governance practices can contribute to Sri Lanka’s economic growth, competitiveness, and investment attractiveness.

An open forum and closing reflections session will further provide delegates with an opportunity to engage directly with experts and industry leaders, fostering meaningful dialogue on the future of governance in Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the significance of the Summit, Dinesh Weerakkody, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) said, “Boards must move beyond compliance and leverage governance as a strategic catalyst for trust, resilience, investment, and long-term value creation. Talent is a critical pillar of sustainable success, and organisations that attract, develop, and retain exceptional people will be best positioned to thrive. Sri Lanka needs boards capable of navigating disruption, embracing innovation, and building future-ready organisations while maintaining the highest standards of accountability and integrity.”

Anitra Perera, Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) said, “As SLID celebrates its 25th Anniversary, the Sri Lanka Corporate Director Summit 2026 reflects our continued commitment to strengthening board leadership and advancing governance excellence. Today’s directors must think beyond compliance to embrace innovation, resilience, ethical leadership, and long-term value creation. Through this Summit, we aim to equip boards with global perspectives and practical insights to build future-ready organisations that enhance Sri Lanka’s competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.”

Charaka Perera, Summit Chair added, “Boards increasingly have to operate with a wider oversight mindset. Directors today must understand technology, cyber risk, reputation, investor expectations, and organisational culture at a much deeper level. This Summit is intended to create practical, globally benchmarked conversations that help Sri Lankan organisations strengthen governance standards and prepare for future challenges.”

Sutheash Balasubramaniam, Technical Chair emphasized, “In an increasingly uncertain and interconnected world, directors are expected to navigate challenges that go well beyond traditional oversight.’’