
RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO — The highly anticipated Global CEO Awards Night unfolded at the ITC Ratnadipa in Colombo on Thursday December 5 drawing over 500 distinguished leaders from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Malaysia, and Nepal. The event celebrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship, making it a landmark occasion in the regional business calendar. For the first time in Sri Lanka, 50 top-tier CEOs and their teams were honoured through awards, recognizing their remarkable achievements and contributions.
The evening was graced by prominent dignitaries, including Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, and Sunil Handunneththi, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, who served as chief guests. Their presence underscored the event’s significance in recognizing and fostering leadership excellence. The gathering also included prominent figures such as New Zealand High Commissioner David Pine, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing Ranjith Ariyarathna, and former Navy Commander Admiral Jayantha Perera, among other distinguished guests.
The awards night featured an engaging forum led by globally renowned thought leaders. Prof. Thimothy Jung, a leading expert in XR and AI from Manchester Metropolitan University, delivered a keynote address that explored the intersection of emerging technologies and leadership. He was followed by NSN Murty, Leader for Deloitte Technology and Transformation, India, who captivated the audience with his insights on Government AI transformation driven by the coalescence of the public and private sectors. Prof. Anuradhi Hapuarachchi from MIT, USA, also contributed with her expertise on innovation and strategy, while Lakmal Jayasinghe, Chief Business Officer – Enterprise Business at SLT, discussed the transformative power of digital solutions.
The evening culminated in an awards ceremony that celebrated not only Sri Lankan business leaders but also distinguished honourees from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Malaysia, and Nepal, underscoring the event’s international significance.
The Global CEO Awards Night served as a unique platform for fostering connections among the region’s top executives while reinforcing the importance of collaboration and visionary leadership. With its focus on celebrating the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship, the event has further cemented its place as a premier occasion for recognising excellence in the business world.