The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) will be conducting a two-part series of online forums themed ‘Beyond Basics: Excellence in Corporate Governance’. The forums will offer participants an in-depth understanding on the importance of good corporate governance practices and how it would increase investor confidence through transparency and accountability. The first session is set to take place on 3^rd March 2021 from 3:30 p.m. onwards while the follow-up session is set for 18^th March 2021 from 3.00 pm onwards. The platform anticipates bringing together listed company Chairpersons, Directors, C-level executives and other senior experts responsible for implementing best practice corporate governance.

The first session will elaborate on a comprehensive discussion on the salient governance aspects set out in the CSE listing rules (corporate disclosures and related party transactions), responsibilities of directors, board sub-committees and their working (audit, remuneration and nominations committees) and panel discussions proceeded by Q&A sessions.

Chief Executive Officer at CSE Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Chief Regulatory Officer at CSE Mr. Renuke Wijayawardhane, Head of Trading Operations Market Surveillance and Corporate Affairs at CSE Ms. Nilupa Perera, Chairman at Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC Dr. Harsha Cabral, Independent Non-executive Director at Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Mr. Anil Tittawella, Independent Director/Senior Director at Seylan Bank PLC Ms. Coralie Pietersz, Chairman at Management Systems (Pvt) Ltd Mr. Asite Talwatte, Finance Director at Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Mr. Umair Luqman and Partner & Head of Audit at KPMG Mr. Suren Rajakarier are expected to speak at the first session.

The second session to be held on 18^th March will focus on implementing internal standards of compliance and business conduct, managing conflict of interest, managing stakeholder relations and safeguards, the importance of maintaining a whistleblowing procedure and its implementation, and ESG performance reporting.

The speakers for the second session will include Independent Non-executive Director at Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Mr. Yudhistran Kanagasabai, Chief Regulatory Officer at CSE Mr. Renuke Wijayawardhane, MD/CEO at Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Mr. Nedal Salem, Non–executive Director at Carsons Cumberbatch and Audit Committee member of Hemas Holdings PLC and MAS Holdings Mr. Shaktha Amarathunga, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director/Company Secretary at Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Mr. Sudesh Peter, Chairman at Management Systems (Pvt) Ltd Mr. Asite Talwatte & Corporate Affairs Manager at Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC Ms. Geehanthie Rasaputra.

The online forums are expected to be exclusive to companies listed on the CSE. Participants will be awarded a Certificate of Participation at the end of the two sessions. Interested parties representing listed companies can contact 011 2356531 or ravisha@cse.lk for more information on how to register for the online event.