Updates from the CMI Sri Lanka Board

Digital event: Deep Dive into the Energy Sector

In case you missed it, the CMI APAC Regional Boards recently delivered a Deep Dive into the Energy Sector Digital Event.

During the event, Dr Alan Miller CMgr FCMI, former board member of CMI Hong Kong Regional Board, was joined by guest speakers Sze Lynn Seah, Asia Operations Excellence Leader at GE Gas Power Japan, and Govindaraj Naralasetti CMgr MCMI, Council Member of CMI Singapore Regional Board – who shared their insights and the latest trends in the Energy sector.

Watch the full webinar here: 

New President elected

At the recent CMI Sri Lanka AGM, a new President was elected – Professor Ajantha Dharmasiri CMgr FCMI. Congratulations to Professor Ajantha and we look forward to working with you over the coming year. You can find out more about Professor Ajantha here – and read his latest contribution to the CMI Knowledge and Insights hub here!

CMI's The Everyone Economy report covered by the Asian Times

In case you didn’t see already, CMI’s Everyone Economy report was covered by the Asian Times – have a read here!

CMI Sri Lanka Hosts Its 20th AGM Virtually

The 20th AGM of the Chartered Management Institute’s Sri Lanka Branch was conducted virtually on 17th June 2021, adhering to  the health and safety regulations issued by the Government of Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The session was hosted live for its companion members, general members, past presidents, students and invitees.

It was a great honour to also have Mr. Taranjeet Singh, chair of the Regional Board CMI Malaysia, Dr Paulina Chan, chair of the Regional Board CMI Hong Kong and Mr. Jamil Karkach, regional manager of the CMI Chartered Management Institute UK present at the 20th AGM.

The chief guest for the evening was Ann Francke OBE, the Chief Executive Officer of CMI UK. Speaking at the event she stated: “in this most unusual of years where management and leadership have been more important than ever before, I think the mission of CMI, which we all share globally, of turning accidental managers into conscious leaders has been made more important than ever before in this pandemic, and I thank you for all of your efforts in helping us achieve this mission.”

Another memorable moment  was the recognition of Dr. Dileepa de Silva for the completion of 25 years of membership. Dr. Dileepa de Silva is an IT Management Consultant who has 39 years of  experience in the field of Information Communication Technology and Engineering; he was previously  chairman of the British Computer Society, Sri Lanka Section, the also held the position of President for  Sri Lanka Association for Software Industries and was also chairman of Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA). He has served as an expert/consultant in the area of ICT in public and private sector organisations and committees domestically as well as abroad.

Mr. Indhra Kaushal Rajapakse was unanimously elected for the second year as the president of the CMI Sri Lanka Branch. Addressing the AGM as the President for the second term, Kaushal said: “confronting the ‘New Abnormal’ is about creating a better tomorrow. It is about learning from the experiences of the crisis we are dealing with right now, not so that we come out the other side having or even searching for the right answers, but in knowing that the future will be shaped by embracing the uncertainty that is inherent in change, and getting comfortable enough with our own discomfort to instead seek the right questions. I remain committed to the growth of this remarkable organisation – the Chartered Management Institute–  and look forward to contributing to its continuity and growth.” The newly appointed first vice president, Professor Ajantha Dharmasiri, thanked the past president, Mr. Murali Prakash, for his guidance and support and also the outgoing executive committee members for their collective contribution.

The newly elected president warmly welcomed the incoming office-bearers who readily accepted their positions, and stated that he looks forward to working with them to pursue the achievement of CMI’s strategic objectives.

The newly appointed executive committee members of the CMI Sri Lanka Branch consist of:

• President: Indra Kaushal Rajapaksa FCMI
• First Vice President: Professor Ajantha Dharmasiri CMgr FCMI
• Second Vice President: Rohitha Amarapala FCMI
• Treasurer: Chaminda Ediriwickrema FCMI
• Secretary: Kamaya Perera FCMI
• Assistant Secretary: Rishantha Mendis MCMI
• Committee members: Ninesh Amirthiah FCMI, Chaminda De Silva CMgr FCMI, Nirmalan Nagendra FCMI, Chaya Ranaweera MCMI, Dr. Lewie Diasz FCMI, Dr. Thesara Jayawardane CMgr FCMI, Graeme La Brooy FCMI and Niroshan Peiris MCMI.

Finance for the Now Normal: financial stability in the hotel industry

CMI Sri Lanka recently hosted  a webinar titled 'Finance for the NOW NORMAL' with Mr Nirmalan Nagendra FCMI FIH, who is a senior Hospitality Finance Professional and Consultant for KPMG. Moderated by Mr Chaminda de Silva (MBA), GM of Orel Corporation, the session focused on the need for collaboration among multiple divisions, hiring for attitude, avoiding price wars, and driving the efficiency of labour. You can watch the webinar here.

Management and sustainability

Health and safety has been considered important for businesses for a long time, but it is highly technical and not central to the dialogue around sustainability – until now.. COVID-19 has changed this perspective completely. What we can see now is that what began as an emergency response has led to a more profound change in operating models, with remote working and flexible structures becoming more finessed.

Furthermore, the pandemic demonstrated the viability of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda for both stakeholders and investors. Specifically, it has boosted the significance of social factors at the present time and of environmental factors in the longer term.

Key factors that can influence business resilience and sustainability include:

• Awareness: Act on credible and  reliable information before making any ESG decisions.
• Behaviour: Communicate with and educate your people about best practice and behavioural expectations in your organisation
• Culture: Have a plan and  be prepared to react should there be problems within your culture - inclusivity is a big factor here
• Demonstrate: Protect employees, supply chains, customers, and the public – actions are louder than words
• Invest: In sustainable products and  supply – it’s never too early to start being more environmentally conscious, and your customers and your stakeholders will notice
• Encourage: Cleaner production and  less material-intensive lifestyles, both in corporate messaging and brand messaging

Dr Malraj B. Kiriella CMgr CCMI is a multi-disciplinary professional and currently serves as the Founder/Owner of South Asia Multidisciplinary Advisory Services (SAMAS). He is a past president of CMI and also CMI Chartered Manager Companion.

The essentials for making the new Digital transformation right

The volatility of the pandemic forced businesses to become more agile–  technological  efficiency, business agility and enhanced security are vital for organisational survival  in New Normal. We’ll have to keep learning and adapting to new technologies and working practices emerge. Partnering with a trusted adviser is a prudent step to fast-tracking technology enablement. Businesses should aim for a balance of efficiency and growth. Maximizing investments in technology will continue to be a major consideration, as businesses should be ready for the new world that will soon pick up momentum. Some of the other important considerations are as follows:

• Focusing on eCommerce Intensifying Mobile adoption
• Drawing up a “pivot plan” for technology transformation
• Creating an organisational digital culture for a connected, hyper-digital future
• Modernising the IT infrastructure and adopting cutting-edge technologies
• Cultivating technology agility & resilience at multiple business levels

Sajith de Silva FCMI, is the first vice president of CMI Sri Lanka, the CEO and director of eBEYONDS Pvt Ltd, a world-renowned IT Solutions Company, and also a director of a few other corporate entities.