Seeks due recognition of PR as a vital strategic communications discipline

At its second AGM held on 21^st April, Nimal Gunewardena a veteran in PR and IMC was elected to the role of President of the PR industry body, the Public Relations Association of Sri Lanka, along with a high calibre Board of agency and corporate comms leaders. A Founder Director of PRASL, established in 2023, Nimal opted to pivot from his previous role as Advisor to the Board, in order to build stronger credentials and recognition for the profession.

Nimal is a 50+ year veteran in communications and marketing having led the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) and the Accredited Advertising Agencies Association (4As) in the ‘90s. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK (FCIM) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations UK (MCIPR). During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, the President of CIPR Farzana Baduel dubbed him Sri Lanka’s “Godfather of PR”.

Commenting on his decision to take on this leadership role, Nimal stated that “PR practice has existed in Sri Lanka for over 30 years, but still remains a misunderstood and underrated profession while it can play vital role in driving government initiatives and safeguarding corporate reputations. My focus is to gain due recognition for PR as a strategic communications discipline with greater use for initiatives such as digital and energy transformation, FDI growth, environmental sustainability, social cohesion and ‘Clean Sri Lanka’.”

Joined by experienced practitioners on the PRASL Board, the high calibre team of new and existing members has some clear areas that it will seek to develop in the coming year – including widening the membership with greater engagement and networking, enhancing essential skills, standards and ethics in the industry, supporting SMEs which account for over half of the nation’s GDP, and showing how PR can play a role in meeting emerging challenges posed by AI, the rise of fake news, and the need for public attitude and behaviour change, and in meeting social and environmental goals.

The officially recognised representative body of the Public Relations industry in Sri Lanka, PRASL is committed to giving a voice to the PR industry, and fostering professional excellence and innovation in the practice of Public Relations across the nation. Established in 2023, the Association was founded by industry veterans and agency professionals, and is dedicated to promoting the highest professional standards, development of ethics, and providing networking opportunities for Public Relations practitioners.

PRASL’s new Board of Directors From L to R: Board members Rajiv David, Bimsara Palihakkara, Cathy Chang (Asst. Secy.), Anjuu Bakshani (Treasurer), Ashan Jayatilake (Secy.) Nimal Gunewardena (President), Nevindee Amarasinghe, Uma Rajamantri, Sheranga Rajasuriya, Nadiya de Lanerolle. Absent: Shehara de Silva (VP), Kithunika Nawalage, and Advisers Rezani Aziz and Ashan Kumar.