SLES 2022

About SLES 2022ProgrammeSpeakersSponsorsSnapshots of the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2022

The Sri Lankan economy is going through a sovereign debt crisis as well as a balance of payment crisis which has made it difficult to import essential items such as medicines, fuel and food. The sovereign debt crisis driven by persistent fiscal and current account deficits. Presently, Sri Lanka is pursuing an IMF program to stabilize the macro economy while in parallel it is seeking to restructure the external debt. In this backdrop, Sri Lanka needs an economic recovery plan in ensuring a swift revival in growth and implementation of reforms both in a short to medium term period. The summit will focus on these key levers that will lead to macroeconomic stability as well as ensure growth led by the private sector.

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DAY 1 (Monday, 5^th December 2022)

Inaugural Session - 1800 – 2000 hrs

Resetting from Turmoil to Opportunity

Chief Guest

H E Ranil Wickremesinghe - President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

1800 - 1810 hrs

Opening Remarks and Welcome

Mr Vish Govindasamy – Chairman, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce

1810 - 1840 hrs

Fireside Chat with Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker:

Mr Martin Raiser - Vice President, South Asia Region, World Bank

Interviewer: Mr Anushka Wijesinha – Economist & Co-Founder of the Centre for a Smart Future

1840 - 1900 hrs

Address by the Chief Guest

H E Ranil Wickremesinghe – President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

1900 hrs

End of Inaugural Session / Day 1

Refreshments / Networking

DAY 2 (Tuesday, 6^th December 2022)

0830 – 0900 hrs

Registration/Arrival of Guests

Session 1 - 0900 – 1020 hrs

Economic Reforms and Implications

How do we achieve the desired fiscal reform? What should be considered in the reform agenda? Outlook on the debt restructuring process - What will a 4-year IMF program mean for the private sector?

Experiences from other countries. Implications of global economic slowdown. Role that monetary policy, independent Central Bank will play in the process. Gaps in the current framework. Recapitalization of the banks. Strengthening the social safety net.

Fireside Chat

Mr Aleksi Aleksishvili – Former Minister of Finance, Georgia - Case study of Georgia

Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe – Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Panelists

TBC - Mr Mahinda Siriwardana – Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance

Mr Krishan Balendra – Chairman, John Keells Holdings PLC

Dr Sharmini Cooray – Former Director, Institute of Capacity Development, IMF

Mr Bingumal Thewarathanthri – Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank - Sri Lanka

Dr Naveen Gunawardena – Co-Founder and Managing Director, Lynear Wealth (Moderator)

1020 – 1040 hrs

Tea Break

Session 2 - 1040 – 1200 hrs

Implementing the roadmap to SOE reform- Opportunities for private sector

What should the overall framework for SOE reform be? What models can be explored in deregulations /divestment? Reform outlook for key institutions like CEB, CPC and Sri Lankan Airlines. How can we better communicate the need for reforms and ensure public, trade union and other stakeholder buy-in?

Fireside Chat

TBC

Mr Suresh Shah – Chairman, SOE Restructuring Agency

Panelists

Mr Dumith Fernando – Chairman, Asia Securities

Mr Murtaza Jafferjee – CEO, JB Securities Ltd

Dr Malathy Knight – Research Associate, Verité Research (Pvt) Ltd

Prof Rohan Samarajiva – Chairperson, LIRNEasia (Moderator)

Session 3 - 1200 – 1330 hrs

Resetting to facilitate Growth

What is the environment required for private sector to drive growth? How can Sri Lanka secure quick wins in reducing bottlenecks and facilitating investment and exports? Role that technology can play in easing the public delivery of services. Role that the taskforces setup to improve ease of doing business. What can we learn from other countries that improve their facilitation of private sector?

Presenter

TBC

Panelists

Mr Vinod Hirdaramani – Director, Hirdaramani Group

Ms Maud Meijboom-van Wel – Managing Director / CEO, Heineken Lanka Ltd

TBC - Mr P B S C Nonis – Director General, Sri Lanka Customs

Ms Renuka M Weerakoon – Director General, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka

Mr Thulci Aluwihare – Deputy Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd

Mr Duminda Hulangamuwa – Vice Chairman, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (Moderator)

1330 – 1430 hrs

Lunch

Session 4 - 1430 – 1600 hrs

Opportunities for Sustainable Finance in the Economic Reset

How can Sri Lanka unlock sustainable finance with a reform program? What sustainable finance instruments can Sri Lanka leverage on to help it plug the deficits and meet the its SDG targets? What can business do remodel their businesses to attract sustainable investments?

Fireside Chat

TBC

Panelists

Ms Yvette Fernando – Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Mrs Chamindry Saparamadu – Director General, Sustainable Development Council

TBC - Mr Rajendra Theagarajah – Former Chairman, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce

Mr Shiran Fernando – Chief Economist, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (Moderator)