NDB Wealth successfully conducted the NDB Wealth Family Office Forum 2026 at Cinnamon Life Colombo, which gathered ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, high-net-worth (HNW) families, family-owned enterprises, and international strategists for an impactful afternoon of discussions focused on the future of private wealth. The event included four keynote speeches and expert-led panel discussions addressing global macroeconomic trends, investment strategies, governance, and legacy planning, offering valuable insights for investors in a complex financial landscape.
The forum commenced with an introductory speech by Mr. Senaka Kakiriwaragodage, CEO and Director of NDB Capital Holdings Limited, who highlighted the necessity of incorporating global insights into Sri Lanka’s evolving wealth management sector. He remarked on the rapid advancements within the country’s financial environment and emphasized the vital role of forums like this in accelerating growth. Mr. Kakiriwaragodage expressed pride in NDB Wealth’s leadership in this transformative journey.
The first keynote was presented by Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), who discussed “Building Tomorrow’s Deep Tech Innovation Landscape.” He addressed the impact of deep technology across various sectors including healthcare, neuroscience, and advanced engineering on global economies. Prof. Sivaprakasam stressed the necessity for long-term capital providers, such as family offices, to engage proactively in innovation-led ecosystems for greater value capture.
A significant feature of the forum was the panel discussion on the Global Economic Outlook and Navigating the Geopolitical Climate. Mr. Thilan Wickramasinghe, Head of Research at Maybank Securities in Singapore, examined the main factors influencing global capital movements in 2026, such as fluctuating interest rates and geopolitical risks. He pointed out that ASEAN, India, and China are emerging as significant capital centers, while he also discussed how Sri Lanka could strategically align itself to attract these investments. Brendon Wong, Managing Director of Private Wealth at UOB Kay Hian in Hong Kong, drew comparisons between Hong Kong’s function as a conduit for China and Sri Lanka’s potential role in relation to India. NDB Wealth’s investment team members, Daham Hettiarachchi and Amaya Nagodavithana, Vice Presidents, shared insights on tactical asset allocation and currency risk, stressing the need for disciplined investment strategies across fixed income, equities, and alternatives while highlighting the importance of managing liquidity and investor behavior amid market volatility. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Ruwan Perera, CEO of NDB Wealth.
Before the second panel, Dr. Harinda Vidanage presented a keynote on “Middle East Conflict Escalation and Global Implications,” providing a strategic overview of current geopolitical tensions and their effects on global markets. He underscored the necessity for investors to integrate geopolitical risks into their long-term strategies.
The subsequent panel focused on private markets, infrastructure, and the energy transition. The discussion included insights from Mr. Raman Ray Mandal, CEO of Greenback Capital, Mr. Harshana Jayaweera, CEO of NDB Investment Bank, Mr. Sam Manipadam, an expert in ports and logistics, and Mr. Naresh Govindan, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Jupiter Energy Ventures. Moderated by Mr. Savinda Fernando, VP at NDB Investment Bank, the panelists noted the increasing selectivity of family offices in capital deployment, balancing direct investments, co-investments, and fund strategies. They positioned infrastructure as a long-term asset class with the potential for stable returns, while emphasizing the critical role of ESG considerations and energy transitions in managing risks and opportunities. The necessity of structuring investments with clear exit strategies, particularly in emerging markets, was also highlighted.
In the lead-up to the final sessions, Mr. Sunil Jose delivered a keynote on “Family Office Structures and Governance: Building Enduring Wealth Across Generations.” He emphasized the significance of institutional-grade governance frameworks and robust structuring processes in wealth preservation, illustrating how well-designed family office frameworks can ensure continuity and alignment through generations.
Additionally, Arnis Celitāns discussed “Unlocking European Markets: Investment Opportunities and Strategic Partnerships,” pointing out Latvia’s strategic position as a gateway to the European Union and how Sri Lankan businesses might leverage this for trade partnerships and capital access, while advising family offices to view Europe as a viable diversification opportunity.
The concluding sessions examined the evolution of family offices, concentrating on governance, structuring, and intergenerational wealth transfer. Panelists included Mr. Sunil Jose, Managing Partner of Kernal Multi Family Office (UAE), Mrs. Thanuja Nair, and Mr. R. Narayanmohan, Founder of NS Global Consultants (Singapore), along with Mr. Haruhito Imakoji, Co-Founder and CEO of Salzworth Asset Management, and Mr. Abishek Gujadhur, Managing Director of Spearfin Ltd (Mauritius), moderated by Ms. Preetha S. Kumar. The panelists highlighted the importance of creating institutional-grade frameworks while retaining family values, and discussed the increasing role of professional management in scaling investment strategies.
As the largest asset manager in Sri Lanka, with over LKR 340 billion in assets under management, NDB Wealth continues to be a key player in shaping the country’s wealth management landscape. Beyond the technical discussions, the forum aimed to raise awareness about the essential nature of succession planning and the transition of wealth across generations, promoting the family office model as a structured approach to preserving and growing wealth in a complex global context.
Succession planning and engaging the next generation were identified as primary focuses, with a growing emphasis on education, stewardship, and preparing future leaders for responsible wealth management. The integration of philanthropy into the family office strategy was also recognized as an emerging trend among globally-minded families.
In closing, Ruwan Perera, CEO of NDB Wealth, expressed gratitude to the panelists, speakers, and attendees for their contributions, making the forum a significant platform for knowledge exchange and engagement. He reiterated NDB Wealth’s commitment to supporting clients not only in safeguarding their wealth against market fluctuations and external shocks but also in building a resilient legacy that embodies both financial strength and purpose.
This forum reaffirmed NDB Wealth’s dedication to delivering forward-thinking insights and advisory solutions, assisting clients in growing, preserving, and transitioning their wealth across generations.
NDB Wealth Management Limited operates as a subsidiary of NDB Capital Holdings, one of Sri Lanka’s rapidly growing financial services groups, with a strategic goal of leading the financial services sector. Since its inception, the group, encompassing NDB Wealth, NDB Investment Bank, NDB Securities, and NDB Zephyr Limited, has been instrumental in the nation’s development, empowering entrepreneurs, corporations, and individuals across all economic levels. Clients of all NDB Capital Holdings Group companies benefit from the diverse range of products and services offered by its affiliates.
Ruwan Perera – CEO – NDB Wealth Management Limited
Image Caption – Navigating Global Uncertainty: Macro Trends, Geopolitics, and Market Implications
Panelists:
• Mr. Thilan Wickramasinghe, CFA – Head of Research, Maybank Securities Limited Singapore
• Mr. Daham Hettiarachchi, CFA – Vice President, NDB Wealth Management
• Ms. Amaya Nagodavithana – Vice President, NDB Wealth Management
• Mr. Brendon Wong – Managing Director, Private Wealth Management, UOB Kay Hian (Hong Kong) Ltd (Online)
Moderator: Ruwan Perera – CEO – NDB Wealth Management
Financial Chronicle Biz English | Sri Lanka Business News.
