Stronger corporate governance across Sri Lankan companies is essential to restoring investor confidence and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness, speakers emphasised at the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) Corporate Director Summit held under the theme “Future Ready Sri Lankan Directors: From Compliance to Sustainable Growth.”

Delivering the keynote address, Minor International Group Chief Executive Officer Dillip Rajakarier said every company that raises its governance standards contributes to rebuilding Sri Lanka’s investment appeal. He stressed that investors increasingly assess how boards respond during periods of crisis, examining the effectiveness of independent directors, the authority of risk committees and the quality of boardroom decision making rather than simply compliance with governance codes.

Dr Naveen Gunawardane, Co Founder and Managing Director of LYNEAR Wealth Management, said institutional investors first determine whether a company is investable before considering its valuation. He highlighted the importance of board expertise, genuine independence and directors’ commitment, cautioning against excessive board appointments that may weaken governance effectiveness.

Adding an international perspective, Safesea Group Founder and Chairman Dr S. V. Anchan urged boards to integrate geopolitical developments, technological disruption and organisational resilience into their governance frameworks. He noted that while artificial intelligence can improve forecasting and efficiency, human judgement and accountability remain indispensable during periods of uncertainty.

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed underscored that sustainability has become a strategic business priority, enabling organisations to strengthen resilience, improve profitability and attract responsible investment.

Opening the summit, SLID Summit 2026 Chair Charaka Perera called on directors to adapt to evolving challenges including artificial intelligence, climate change and shifting stakeholder expectations, while Technical Chair Sutheash Balasubramaniam announced that the summit’s discussions would be compiled into a boardroom insights handbook to guide future directors.