The Board Secretaries Forum took place successfully on 21 January 2026 at The London Grill, Cinnamon Grand. This event was organized by the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) in collaboration with ICCS Sri Lanka (ICCSSL), showcasing both institutions’ dedication to enhancing corporate governance practices in Sri Lanka.
The session was moderated by Mr. Sathananthan Sudharshan, Director of Governance Consultants (Private) Limited, and featured an esteemed panel including Mr. Naomal Goonewardena, Precedent Partner at Nithya Partners; Mr. Rajitha Thoradeniya, Assistant General Manager of Operations & Administration at Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC; Ms. Nilupa Perera, Chief Regulatory Officer at the Colombo Stock Exchange; and Ms. Sunethra Dharmakeerthy, Additional Registrar-General at the Department of Registrar of Companies. Leveraging their vast industry experience, the panel offered practical and insightful perspectives on the key governance and compliance challenges facing board secretaries and directors.
The discussions centered on implementing Beneficial Ownership requirements under the Companies Act, focusing on practical methods for identifying, maintaining, and reporting beneficial ownership information. The panel also covered the safeguards available to directors and company secretaries, underscoring risk mitigation strategies and the importance of clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
The forum further examined ways to strengthen governance and reporting frameworks to enhance transparency and accountability, while clarifying regulatory expectations and evolving best practices. Real-world examples were provided to illustrate effective implementation strategies, helping participants manage compliance obligations and governance risks more effectively within their organizations. The programme concluded with an engaging exchange of views, equipping participants with actionable insights and a clearer understanding of regulatory compliance and governance excellence.
Due to the overwhelming response and high demand from professionals who were unable to secure seats, SLID has announced a repeat programme scheduled for 17 February 2026, from 7.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. This offers another opportunity for directors and board secretaries to benefit from this timely and highly relevant forum.
