The International Schools of Sri Lanka (TISSL) brought together school leaders, educators and education professionals from across the country for its 11th Annual Conference, held on 5 and 6 June 2026 at Blue Water Hotel & Spa, Wadduwa, under the theme "Managing Change in Schools."
The two-day conference served as a platform for thought leadership and collaboration, focusing on the evolving challenges of educational leadership and the importance of resilience, innovation and strategic vision in shaping the future of schools.
The opening day commenced with a ceremonial lighting of the traditional oil lamp, symbolising continuity and progress. TISSL Chairman Dayan Fernando and Founder Chairman Dr. Harsha Alles welcomed delegates, highlighting the conference as both a celebration of the organisation's journey and a call to embrace innovation in an ever-changing educational landscape.
Adding a cultural dimension to the event, performances by students from OKI International School, Wattala, and the Asian International School Choir reflected the role of education in nurturing creativity, identity and community alongside academic excellence.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Akash Raut, who challenged educational leaders to cultivate reflective practice, adaptability and moral courage in navigating uncertainty. His address underscored the importance of values-driven leadership in responding to the changing demands of modern education.
The second day featured a series of presentations exploring both the strategic and human aspects of leading change. Dominic Tomalin discussed building a change-ready school culture, while Dr. Asoka De Silva examined the importance of aligning organisational systems with institutional vision. Lisa Ripperger spoke on personal resilience and moral courage, and Dr. N. Nagarajan shared insights into integrating innovation while maintaining educational outcomes.
Additional sessions included David Harkin's perspectives on learning beyond traditional textbooks and Sarah Chambers' presentation on the importance of earning trust and engagement before implementing policy changes, reinforcing that meaningful transformation begins with people.
Interactive ice-breaker activities encouraged collaboration throughout the day, while the panel discussion, "When Change Gets Hard: What School Leaders Don't Talk About," offered an open and honest conversation on the often-overlooked challenges and responsibilities of educational leadership.
The conference concluded with a networking session that enabled participants to strengthen professional connections and exchange ideas. More importantly, it reinforced a shared commitment to building resilient, future-ready schools capable of adapting to an increasingly dynamic educational environment.
By placing resilience, innovation and human-centred leadership at the heart of its agenda, the 11th TISSL Conference reaffirmed its role as one of Sri Lanka's leading forums for advancing educational leadership and shaping the future of international schooling.
CDB and Hayleys Mobility Partner to Deliver Customer-Friendly Vehicle Financing
Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) has entered into a strategic partnership with Hayleys Mobility Limited, the mobility arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited, to offer customised financing solutions for a wide range of electric and hybrid vehicles.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 16 June 2026 and is aimed at making sustainable vehicle ownership more accessible through flexible, customer-centric financing options.
Under the agreement, customers purchasing vehicles through Hayleys Mobility will benefit from tailored financing packages, flexible repayment tenures, exclusive insurance benefits and a streamlined approval process. They will also receive lifetime annual fee waivers on CDB credit cards, further enhancing the overall ownership experience.
Commenting on the partnership, CDB Managing Director Mahesh Nanayakkara said the initiative aligns with the company's sustainability ambitions.
"At CDB, our journey towards Net Zero by 2030 has spurred us to create value-driven financial solutions that empower customers. This partnership with Hayleys Mobility reflects our commitment to delivering convenience, innovation and exclusive benefits to vehicle buyers across Sri Lanka. Together, we are shaping a seamless financing experience that supports sustainable mobility and enhances customer satisfaction," he said.
Hayleys Fentons Limited Managing Director Hasith Premathilake said the collaboration strengthens the company's efforts to build an integrated ecosystem for sustainable mobility.
"This partnership reflects how Hayleys Fentons continues to build a future-ready ecosystem, bringing together engineering capability, charging infrastructure and structured financial access to serve Sri Lankan customers. We are also encouraged that CDB has already come on board with Hayleys Solar, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy adoption. Through this partnership with Hayleys Mobility, we are continuing that green momentum by extending sustainable solutions from renewable energy to cleaner, smarter mobility. Partnering with an institution of CDB's standing further accelerates our ability to make future-ready vehicles genuinely accessible to customers across Sri Lanka," he said.
Hayleys Mobility Executive Director Roshani Dharmaratne said the partnership is designed to remove financial barriers to vehicle ownership while accelerating the adoption of cleaner transportation.
"Every barrier removed on the path to vehicle ownership makes a meaningful difference. By combining CDB's financial expertise with Hayleys Mobility's extensive portfolio of vehicles, we are enabling customers to embrace cleaner mobility today, not someday," she said.
11th TISSL Conference Marks a Defining Moment for Educational Leadership in Sri Lanka
