SLID celebrates 25 years of advancing corporate governance as the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors marks its silver anniversary, bringing together directors, business leaders and partners to reflect on its contribution to stronger board leadership.
SLID celebrates 25 years of advancing corporate governance and looks to its next chapter
The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) will mark the milestone at its Annual Members’ Meeting 2026 and 25th anniversary celebration today (14) at the Oak Room of Cinnamon Grand Colombo. The occasion will recognise the Institute’s contribution to corporate governance and leadership in Sri Lanka while looking towards the changing responsibilities facing boards and organisations.
The anniversary brings together a cross-section of the country’s business community, including directors, corporate leaders, members and institutional partners. Beyond celebrating the Institute’s history, the event is intended to provide an opportunity to consider how governance expectations are evolving as organisations operate in an increasingly complex economic and geopolitical environment.
Over its 25-year journey, SLID has focused on strengthening the role and effectiveness of directors and promoting the importance of sound governance practices. Its anniversary provides an opportunity to recognise the individuals and organisations that have contributed to that mission and supported the Institute throughout its development.
The event will be attended by Chief Guest Secretary to the Prime Minister G. Pradeep Saputhanthri and Guest of Honour Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to Sri Lanka and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Sri Lanka Dewi Gustina Tobing.
A keynote address by former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago Mahinda Samarasinghe will add an international economic and geopolitical dimension to the programme. His address, titled “Tariffs: Defining the New World Order”, will examine how trade, geopolitics and economic power are being reshaped.
The theme is particularly relevant to corporate boards navigating a business environment influenced by shifting trade relationships, changing economic conditions and wider geopolitical developments. For directors and business leaders, such changes can increasingly affect strategic decision-making, risk management and the long-term direction of organisations.
The anniversary celebration will also recognise former SLID CEOs and Chairpersons, alongside valued partners who have played a role in shaping the Institute over the years. The recognition reflects the collective contribution behind an institution whose work has centred on strengthening the quality of governance and leadership.
The emphasis on board leadership remains central to SLID’s role as organisations face increasingly complex demands. Effective boards are expected not only to oversee performance and compliance but also to provide strategic direction, assess risks and ensure that organisations remain accountable to their stakeholders.
As SLID celebrates 25 years of advancing corporate governance, the Institute is also using the anniversary to introduce the next phase of its engagement with members. A key part of this will be the relaunch of its website and the introduction of the SLID App.
The enhanced digital platforms are expected to make SLID’s programmes, knowledge resources and insights more accessible to its membership while creating additional opportunities for engagement. The move reflects the growing importance of digital access in professional networks and knowledge-based organisations, particularly for members seeking timely information and resources.
For corporate governance in Sri Lanka, stronger access to knowledge, professional development and peer engagement can support directors as they respond to changing expectations. SLID’s digital expansion therefore forms part of a broader effort to keep its member community connected while extending the reach of its programmes and resources.
The Institute’s 25th anniversary consequently represents both a reflection on its institutional journey and a transition towards its next phase. Its message remains centred on the relationship between responsible governance, effective boards and organisational strength.
As businesses confront economic uncertainty, technological change and evolving stakeholder expectations, the role of directors continues to expand. Strong governance is increasingly viewed not simply as a matter of oversight, but as an essential component of sustainable organisational performance and responsible leadership.
For SLID, the anniversary is therefore positioned as more than a celebration of longevity. It is an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of capable and responsible boards and to consider how directors can continue contributing to stronger organisations and, ultimately, a stronger Sri Lankan economy.
With its renewed digital platforms and continued focus on professional engagement, SLID enters its next chapter seeking to build on the foundations established over the past quarter century. The Institute said the future will be shaped by responsible leadership, stronger governance and boards equipped to lead through change.