EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) Sri Lanka, part of the global EY network, recently hosted the EY GDS Milestones event at The Lumina Hall, Cinnamon Life, Colombo, bringing together global business leaders and celebrating the next generation of leadership within the organisation.
The event was graced by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and attended by senior leaders from the global EY network, including members of the EY Global Delivery Services (GDS) leadership team. The ceremony recognised directors, executive directors, associate directors, senior managers and managers who were promoted to new leadership roles within EY GDS.
The milestone gathering underscored Sri Lanka's growing reputation as a regional hub for global leadership, innovation and talent development, with the country hosting nearly 3,500 EY professionals over a two-week period—the largest EY event ever held in Sri Lanka.
In her keynote address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya highlighted Sri Lanka's transformation into a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy, powered by digital technologies and a skilled workforce. She outlined the Government's National Digital Economy Strategy, which aims to accelerate AI-first operations, expand ICT exports and strengthen Sri Lanka's position as a regional innovation hub.
The Prime Minister also commended EY GDS for its contribution to Sri Lanka's economic development, recognising the organisation's role in advancing innovation, technology and talent while helping position the country as a competitive destination for global business services.
Emphasising the importance of nurturing local expertise, she noted that developing homegrown talent and strong leadership would be critical to driving sustainable long-term economic growth. She added that the Government remains committed to strengthening partnerships with the private sector to foster innovation, enterprise and skills development.
Speaking at the event, Harsha Basanayake, Global Managing Partner of EY, described hosting the milestone celebration in Sri Lanka as a proud achievement that reflects the country's exceptional talent and growing global potential.
"Hosting this Milestone event in Sri Lanka is a proud moment for all of us. It reflects the remarkable talent and potential within the country and the strong partnership between EY and Sri Lanka in building a future-ready workforce," he said.
The event further reinforced Sri Lanka's emergence as a destination for global business collaboration, leadership development and digital innovation, highlighting the country's expanding role in the international professional services landscape.
BIMSTEC Must Build Seamless Regional Tourism Network – Deputy Minister
Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe has called on BIMSTEC member states to strengthen regional tourism cooperation through better connectivity, integrated tourism offerings and sustainable development, stressing that no country can fully unlock its tourism potential alone.
Speaking at the opening of the 4th Meeting of the BIMSTEC Network of Tour Operators (BNTO) in Colombo on Monday (21), Prof. Ranasinghe welcomed delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Sri Lanka, describing the forum as a key platform for strengthening partnerships across the Bay of Bengal region.
He said the BIMSTEC region is uniquely positioned to become one of the world's leading tourism destinations, thanks to its rich cultural heritage, spiritual traditions, biodiversity, natural beauty and historical significance.
“The BIMSTEC region is uniquely positioned to become one of the world’s most attractive and diverse tourism destinations. Home to nearly one-quarter of the global population, our region possesses an extraordinary wealth of cultural heritage, spiritual traditions, biodiversity, natural beauty and historical significance,” Prof. Ranasinghe said.
The Deputy Minister noted that evolving global travel trends have created fresh opportunities for BIMSTEC countries to jointly promote authentic travel experiences, wellness tourism, eco-tourism, cultural tourism and multi-destination travel packages. He emphasised that tour operators play a critical role in connecting destinations with international markets while generating employment and supporting economic growth.
Calling for stronger regional collaboration, Prof. Ranasinghe urged member nations to focus on:
Enhancing air, maritime and land connectivity
Developing multi-country tourism circuits
Embracing digital innovation
Promoting sustainable tourism practices
Strengthening public-private partnerships
“We firmly believe that the future of tourism lies in partnerships. No country can fully realise its tourism potential in isolation. Through collaboration, connectivity and a shared vision, we can create a stronger and more competitive BIMSTEC tourism brand that benefits all our nations,” he said.
Highlighting Sri Lanka's tourism recovery, Prof. Ranasinghe said the country was honoured to host the conference at a time when the sector is experiencing strong momentum. He reaffirmed Sri Lanka's commitment to advancing regional tourism cooperation and working with BIMSTEC partners to position the Bay of Bengal region as a globally competitive, sustainable and interconnected tourism destination.
Sri Lanka Hosts Landmark EY GDS Milestones Event, Strengthening Global Leadership Dialogue
