Renuka Weerakoon
Rishini Weeraratne
Dilshan Wirasekera
Neela Marikkar
A high-level dialogue on reshaping Sri Lanka’s global narrative for investment, talent, and international partnerships.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham SL), in collaboration with The Sun (Daily Mirror), is proud to announce an expert-led forum titled “Narrating Sri Lanka’s Story: How Strategic Communications Can Fuel Investment, Talent and Global Partnerships.” The event will be held on 15 December 2025, from 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. at the Taj Colombo, followed by networking and refreshments. As Sri Lanka continues its journey toward sustainable economic stabilisation and future-focused growth, the importance of a cohesive, compelling, and credible national narrative has never been greater. This forum will bring together leading voices from global communications, business, investment, and policy to explore how the country can more effectively communicate its strengths, aspirations, and opportunities to the world. At a time when nations are competing not only on economic fundamentals but also on perception, trust, and storytelling, this event provides an important platform for strategic dialogue.
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Farzana Baduel, Global Communications Leader
AmCham SL and The Sun (Daily Mirror) are honoured to welcome Farzana Baduel, CEO and Co-Founder of Curzon PR (UK) and President-Elect of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR UK), as the keynote speaker for the session. Recognised internationally as one of the most influential voices in modern communications, Farzana has built a distinguished career advising governments, global brands, multinationals, and mission-led organisations across the world. Her expertise encompasses soft power, nation branding, strategic positioning, global influence, and purpose-driven communications, areas that are increasingly vital for countries seeking to secure investment, attract talent, and strengthen international alliances. Farzana is also a passionate advocate for diversity, social mobility, authenticity, and ethical communications, themes that underpin her approach to storytelling and reputation-building.
Farzana has also written insightfully about Sri Lanka’s resilience, potential, and global positioning, bringing a uniquely informed and empathetic perspective to this conversation. Her expertise in connecting global audiences with local narratives aligns strongly with Sri Lanka’s ambition to sharpen its international image and attract strategic partnerships. This makes her keynote particularly valuable for Sri Lankan business leaders, policymakers, and communicators navigating the complexities of international engagement. Her presence at the forum underscores the growing global recognition of Sri Lanka’s need to reshape and amplify its narrative, and the opportunities that await if this is done strategically and consistently.
A High-Impact Panel Discussion with Leading Sri Lankan Business Voices
Following the keynote address, the forum will feature a thought-provoking panel discussion with some of Sri Lanka’s most respected business and economic leaders. Together with Farzana Baduel, they will examine how strategic communications can serve as a catalyst for:
- Foreign direct investment (FDI)
- Export diversification and market access
- Talent attraction and global mobility
- Trust-building with international stakeholders
- Public-private partnerships and global collaborations
The distinguished panel includes:
- Mrs. Neela Marikkar: Chairperson / Managing Director, Dentsu Grant Group and Director, AmCham SL
- Ms. Renuka Weerakone: Director General, Board of Investment (BOI) Sri Lanka
- Mr. Dilshan Wirasekara: Managing Director / CEO, First Capital Holdings PLC
The session will be moderated by Rishini Weeraratne, Editor, The Sun (Daily Mirror), Editor, HI!! Online, and Head of Social Media, Wijeya Newspapers Limited.
The panellists bring decades of experience in navigating global markets, shaping brand narratives, and promoting Sri Lanka on the world stage. Their discussion will illustrate how a unified and strategically constructed national story can unlock new avenues for economic advancement, strengthen investor confidence, and elevate Sri Lanka's profile as a destination for business, innovation, and talent. Participants can expect practical insights into aligning organisational communications with national objectives, communicating purpose and credibility, and leveraging storytelling as a competitive advantage.
Strengthening Sri Lanka’s Voice on the Global Stage
This forum reinforces AmCham SL’s commitment to fostering insightful, forward-looking dialogue that empowers the business community and contributes meaningfully to Sri Lanka’s global competitiveness. It also marks a significant collaboration with Wijeya Newspapers Limited. In today’s interconnected world, national reputation is shaped not only by domestic performance but also by the stories that nations tell about themselves, and the stories the world chooses to hear. Understanding how to craft, deliver, and sustain this narrative is essential for Sri Lanka as it seeks to rebuild confidence, attract long-term investment, and position itself as a resilient, opportunity-rich, and future-ready nation.
Event Access and Registration
Attendance is open to AmCham members, corporate partners, and the wider business community, including leaders in marketing, communications, public policy, investment, and development. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, as seating will be limited to ensure a high-quality, interactive experience for attendees. This timely forum promises to deliver a rich and constructive dialogue that will help reshape how Sri Lanka projects its story to the world, and how business leaders can contribute to a stronger, more unified national narrative.
- DATE: 15TH DECEMBER 2025
- TIME: 10:00AM TO 11:30AM
- VENUE: TAJ COLOMBO
