The Sri Lanka Retailers' Association (SLRA), in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), officially inaugurated the second batch of the SLRA–PIM Retail Leadership Development Programme on 31 July 2026 at the Postgraduate Institute of Management, marking another significant milestone in strengthening leadership capabilities within Sri Lanka's retail industry.

Building on the success of its inaugural cohort, the programme has attracted an exceptional response from the retail sector, with nominations exceeding the available intake. The overwhelming interest highlights the industry's growing recognition of the importance of investing in leadership development to build resilient, future-ready organizations.

The inauguration ceremony brought together senior representatives from leading retail organizations, industry professionals, and academia, underscoring the collaborative commitment to nurturing the next generation of retail leaders.

The head table comprised Dr. Asanga Ranasinghe, Director, Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM); Dr. Samantha Rathnayake, Senior Lecturer, PIM; Infiyaz Ali, President of the Sri Lanka Retailers' Association; Charitha Subasinghe, Immediate Past President of SLRA; and Mahesh Wijewardene, Senior Vice President of SLRA.

The event featured the official inauguration of the programme, an introductory briefing outlining the curriculum and learning journey, and networking opportunities among participants and representatives from Sri Lanka's leading retail organizations. The programme has been designed to create a platform where emerging retail leaders can gain practical knowledge, exchange experiences, and develop the leadership capabilities required to navigate an increasingly dynamic retail landscape.

Dr. Asanga Ranasignhe, Director PIM welcomed the guests to this special event. Commenting on the successful launch of the second batch, Infiyaz Ali, President of the Sri Lanka Retailers' Association, said, "We are delighted by the exceptional response received for the SLRA–PIM Retail Leadership Development Programme, with nominations exceeding the available intake. This remarkable level of interest reflects the Sri Lankan retail industry's strong commitment to developing capable, future-ready leaders who will shape the sector in the years ahead. We sincerely appreciate every retail organization that placed its confidence in this initiative by nominating their emerging leaders. As Batch 02 begins its leadership journey, we look forward to seeing participants strengthen their capabilities through learning, collaboration and practical industry exposure. Together, we are building a stronger future for Sri Lanka's retail industry."

Jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Retailers' Association and the Postgraduate Institute of Management, the programme has been specifically designed for retail professionals seeking to strengthen their leadership, business, and strategic management capabilities. Over a period of six to seven months, participants will complete 90 hours of executive learning through carefully curated sessions delivered by experienced academics and industry practitioners.

The programme focuses on developing competencies in leadership and strategic thinking, retail operations excellence, customer experience, commercial and financial acumen, team leadership, innovation, digital transformation, communication, and executive presence. It is tailored for professionals including sales managers, business development managers, area managers, branch managers, retail operations managers, account managers, category managers, and other mid-to-senior retail management professionals.

Through this continued partnership, SLRA and PIM reaffirm their shared commitment to developing a strong pipeline of retail leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills, and strategic mindset required to drive innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth across Sri Lanka's retail sector.

The official inauguration of the SLRA–PIM Retail Leadership Development Programme Batch 02

Photo Caption : Participants of the SLRA–PIM Retail Leadership Development Programme Batch 02, together with the leadership of the Sri Lanka Retailers' Association (SLRA) and the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), at the official inauguration of the programme