Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Strengthening climate accountability through global carbon accounting standards

Siyapatha Finance PLC has announced its official membership in the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), marking a significant milestone in the Company’s sustainability journey and reinforcing its commitment to responsible finance and climate action.

The membership reflects Siyapatha Finance’s continued efforts to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into its business strategy while supporting the transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

PCAF is a collaboration of more than 770 financial institutions across six continents, working together to develop and implement a harmonised framework for measuring and disclosing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with financial activities. By joining PCAF, Siyapatha Finance will adopt the global standard for measuring emissions associated with financial activities and further strengthen its climate-related disclosures.

Recognising the financial sector’s role in addressing climate change, Siyapatha Finance will use the PCAF framework to better understand emissions associated with its financing portfolio, enabling more informed decision-making on climate-related risks and sustainable finance opportunities while aligning with evolving global sustainability standards.

CEO Mathisha Hewavitharana said: ‘Joining PCAF reflects Siyapatha Finance’s long-term vision of embedding sustainability into our business strategy. As climate-related expectations continue to evolve, this partnership strengthens our ability to advance responsible finance while contributing to Sri Lanka’s transition towards a more sustainable and resilient economy.’

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Senior Regional Manager Amila Bambarandage said: ‘By adopting global best practices in carbon accounting, we are strengthening our ability to make informed financing decisions, enhance climate transparency and contribute meaningfully to Sri Lanka’s journey towards a low-carbon and sustainable future.’

By joining PCAF, Siyapatha Finance becomes part of a growing global network of financial institutions committed to embedding carbon accountability into financial decision-making. This milestone further reinforces the company’s leadership in sustainable finance while supporting long-term value creation for customers, stakeholders, communities and the environment.

Sri Lanka is overbanked relative to regional peers and should brace for consolidation, 3A Ventures International Partner and Director – Asia Cyrus Daruwala told delegates at ‘The CIO Confluence 2026: Beyond Digital – The Intelligent Banking Era,’ organised by the Banks’ CIO Forum. Daruwala is a senior financial services leader with more than 25 years’ experience across banking, insurance, and capital markets, including in the Middle East.

‘Sri Lanka is overbanked,’ he said, comparing the country’s ratio of banks to banked population unfavourably against Malaysia, a market of similar population size with fewer institutions.

Consolidation had already reshaped banking in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, he said, and could follow the same path locally.

He urged Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) in the room to consider their own relevance in the event of a merger wave.

Three areas needed fixing first, according to Daruwala, whose firm advises close to 200 banks globally: legacy core banking systems, the payments ecosystem, and data monetisation. Net interest margin had become a commodity, he said; meaningful profit now sat in loan origination and payments instead.

The case for aggressive Artificial Intelligence (AI) investment in Sri Lanka was weaker than commonly assumed, he argued.

The sector had barely changed in a decade, the customer base remained static at roughly 21 million people, the product range was unchanged, and competitive intensity among the country’s 15 to 20 banks had not shifted. On that basis, he said, AI spending locally could only really be justified on process efficiency grounds, not transformative growth.

DBS Bank’s experience made the same point at regional scale. The Singapore-based lender, one of Asia’s largest by assets, spent $ 20 m across various AI use cases without producing any measurable gain in revenue, customer numbers, or headcount reduction. When its Chief Executive asked the CTO to show a return on that outlay, none could be shown. ‘Zero,’ Daruwala said of the result.

At Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), close to 6,000 developer roles disappeared as AI took over bug-fixing and loan-processing work previously outsourced to firms such as Wipro and Infosys. Accenture cut roughly 10% of its workforce, about 10,000 people, on similar grounds. ‘This is the reality because it’s a tool,’ Daruwala said. He likened the shift to WhatsApp’s effect on telecom revenue: AI was not eliminating banking functions so much as diverting revenue towards whichever institutions moved first.

Two staff at State Bank of India monitor some 26,000 to 27,000 automated teller machines around the clock, he noted, through an agentic system run by outsourcing partner FSS, an illustration, he said, of the scale of efficiency gains now available.

Uncoordinated AI purchases were, in his assessment, the primary cause of poor returns across the region, and he recommended banks form an AI steering committee spanning infrastructure, data, and applications.

A legal dimension was also emerging: a customer denied a loan by United Overseas Bank (UOB) successfully challenged the decision, and regulators would increasingly demand explainable justification for AI-assisted credit decisions rather than accept ‘AI did it’ as an answer.

Sri Lanka’s absence of institutions comparable to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or the Indian Institutes of Technology limited the domestic technology talent pool, Daruwala said, and banks should look to regional best practice instead, the same approach the United Arab Emirates (UAE) took in studying Singapore and Hong Kong to build its financial sector.

Banks should buy and customise AI solutions rather than attempt to build them in-house, he advised, warning that the pace of change would leave internally developed systems obsolete before completion. Every AI initiative, he suggested, should be weighed on a two-axis framework balancing implementation speed against enterprise risk, a lesson from First Abu Dhabi Bank’s operational standstill after a data centre was struck during the recent regional conflict.

A criminal enclave near the Thailand-Cambodia border possessed quantum computing capacity capable of decrypting encrypted financial communications and transaction data previously assumed secure, Daruwala warned. ‘We think we are secure, but we are not,’ he told delegates.

He closed with a direct challenge, framing AI adoption as a career decision rather than a corporate one.

‘Not doing agentic tech or AI is a choice, but let that be your decision, because that’s how you’re going to either make it or break it for your own personal career,’ he said. ‘But if you do, you’ll be remembered for creating something new to help people build careers. Build a bit of a legacy yourself within your division.’

Sri Lanka and Thailand have agreed to establish a formal framework for bilateral cooperation on labour migration, including an agreement to facilitate the employment of Sri Lankan workers in Thailand.

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Labour Cooperation between the two countries, together with a supplementary agreement governing the employment of Sri Lankan workers in Thailand.

Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said he would travel to Thailand on 14 September to sign the agreements.

The proposed arrangements are intended to establish official cooperation between the competent authorities of the two countries and create a structured mechanism for the transparent and efficient recruitment and deployment of Sri Lankan workers to Thailand.

The agreements are also expected to provide greater protection for Sri Lankan workers by addressing their legal rights, welfare and security, while strengthening measures to prevent human trafficking.

‘The MoU on Labour Cooperation will be signed for a period of five years, while the separate agreement will cover the employment of Sri Lankan workers in Thailand,’ he said.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Herath.

Vipul Misra has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, with effect from yesterday (9).

Bringing over two decades of aircraft engineering and aviation leadership experience, Misra’s background spans across significantly large commercial carriers including Air India, Vistara, Indigo, SpiceJet, Kingfisher Airlines, and Air Deccan.

His comprehensive expertise across legacy, full-service, and low-cost carriers is expected to provide strong technical and operational direction during this interim period, as the national carrier of Sri Lanka works towards enhancing its performance and long-term sustainability.

Sri Lanka presented a series of proposals on fisheries policy, sustainable management of marine resources, protection of small-scale fisheries and regional cooperation at the 37th Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI 37).

COFI 37 is being held at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) headquarters in Rome from 7-11 September, 2026.

The Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ministry said the session brings together policymakers, researchers, industry professionals and other stakeholders to discuss challenges and priorities in global fisheries and aquaculture, including the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA 2026) report and measures against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Secretary Dr. B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, representing Sri Lanka, said digital transformation, effective data management and science-based decision-making should be given greater priority in fisheries management, particularly in developing countries.

While acknowledging the value of FAO’s FishStat database, he called for developing countries to strengthen their own stock assessment capabilities and pressed for greater knowledge-sharing and data-driven policymaking through the Bay of Bengal Program Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO).

On small-scale fisheries, Dr. Jinadasa said the sector’s definition should not rest solely on technical criteria such as vessel length or engine horsepower, but should also account for the social, economic and institutional realities of fishing communities. He called for international fisheries policies to better reflect conditions faced by fishing communities in developing countries.

Sri Lanka also flagged the completion this year of the Dr. Fridtjof Nansen fishery survey program in its waters, with a dedicated data collection unit now being established for more systematic data gathering. The country said fisheries information continues to be submitted through mechanisms including the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).

On reducing post-harvest losses, Sri Lanka said measures were under way to improve cold-chain facilities at fishery harbours and landing sites to protect product quality and market value.

Noting that Sri Lanka has completed ten years since joining the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA), Dr. Jinadasa stressed the need for stronger coordinated action against IUU fishing and for closing gaps between legal frameworks and their implementation, while making fuller use of regional initiatives such as the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) program.

Speaking on behalf of the BOBP-IGO leadership, Sri Lanka called for deeper fisheries cooperation among member countries – Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and the Maldives – and urged the FAO and other international bodies to continue technical assistance, capacity building and policy guidance to developing countries.

Around 800 sector leaders from close to 130 countries are participating in the session.

Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open title defence came to an end in a dramatic five-set quarter-final loss to Ben Shelton which ended at 03:34 local time – the latest finish in the tournament’s history.

A large crowd remained captivated deep into the night as a modern classic unfolded over an unpredictable four hours and 28 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The match did not begin until about 11pm in New York, after the start of the night session was delayed by Tuesday’s earlier matches.

At its conclusion, eighth seed Shelton basked in a standing ovation from a delirious audience after completing a 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6 (10-7) victory that will live long in the memory of all those present.

‘That was a war, an epic match, so physical,’ Shelton said.

‘Carlos is one of the greatest champions in our sport already at 23 years old.

‘It’s ridiculous some of the stuff he comes up with sometimes – the most enjoyable match that I’ve had in my career, for sure.’

This was the biggest – and certainly most significant – win of Shelton’s career.

He had not beaten a top-three player in 17 attempts, and had lost each of his three previous matches against Spain’s Alcaraz.

It also boosted home hopes of a first American men’s singles champion in New York for 23 years.

Shelton was less than a year old when Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003 – but an American finalist is guaranteed when he and Frances Tiafoe meet in Friday’s semi-finals.

World number three Alcaraz was competing at his first tournament since a lengthy injury lay-off, but that is to take nothing away from Shelton, who produced a phenomenal performance.

Seven-time major winner Alcaraz had exceeded expectations on his return after more than four months out with a wrist injury, including sweeping past 20th seed Tommy Paul to reach the last eight.

But the 23-year-old’s lack of match fitness appeared to finally catch up with him in a high-octane encounter filled with breathless exchanges and astounding displays of athleticism.

Even when it appeared Alcaraz had emptied the tank, the two-time winner not only forced a deciding set but would go the distance as the players engaged in a tense 10-point match tie-break that provided a fitting conclusion to the contest.

‘It was close. So I’m just not going to be disappointed about not getting the win at the end,’ said Alcaraz.

‘I’m just proud about myself, about how I fought. I leave the court with a smile, healthy, and this is what I needed.’

Defending champions CCC won through to the semi-finals of the Major Club T20 tournament while losing finalists Panadura SC suffered a 41-run defeat at the hands of Tamil Union in the quarter-final matches concluded yesterday. In the other two quarter-finals SSC and NCC recorded close wins.

Test discard Nishan Madushka displayed his prowess in white ball cricket by scoring back-to-back hundreds in two formats inside two days. On Monday, Madushka scored 148 against SSC in a Major Club 50-over semi-final, and yesterday he followed it up with a match-winning knock of 114* off 56 balls studded with 9 fours and 8 sixes.

His innings coupled with Dulnith Sigera’s innings of 52 off 35 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes) and their partnership of 151 off 76 balls for the second wicket enabled CCC to run up a total of 218-4 and defeat Ace Capital CC by 64 runs at the SSC grounds. Ace Capital CC could muster only 154-8 with Pawan Pathiraja striking a half-century (51 off 33 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) to lift them from a despairing 69-5. Off-spinner Ashian Daniel was the pick of the CCC bowlers returning figures of 3/23.

Sineth Jayawardena, another batsman in red-hot form also struck back to back centuries for Tamil Union in their win against Panadura SC at the NCC grounds. Jayawardena followed his 136 against CCC in a Major Club 50-over game six days ago with 101 off 52 balls (8 fours, 7 sixes) to help Tamil Union total 220-5.

A feature of the innings was Jayawardena’s partnership of 130 off 61 balls with Navod Paranavithana (43 off 27). Panadura SC were rolled over for 179 by the spin of Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (4/33) and Paranavithana (4/41). Charya Paranavithana top scored for Panadura SC with 49 off 25 (4 fours, 3 sixes).

SSC, already in the final of the Major Club 50-over tournament, had a close call against Police SC at the NCC grounds before winning by 12 runs. Nuwanidu Fernando’s 53-ball century (117* with 9 fours, 8 sixes) saw SSC total 225-4. Chamath Gomez, the former right-arm medium-pacer from Wesley College took 3 of the wickets to fall for 46 runs.

Despite losing their first four wickets for 48 Police SC put up a tremendous fight to cause some anxious moments in the SSC camp reaching 213-9. Dushan Hemantha top scored with 51 (25 balls, 1 four, 5 sixes), but the main contribution came from the Police SC late order that contributed 78 off the last 40 balls. Left-arm seamer Mihiranga Silva kept the Police SC run rate in check with vital strikes finishing with 3/39.

NCC too had a nervy win beating Moors SC by two wickets with two balls to spare at the SSC grounds. Chasing a target of 176 NCC had to rely on their captain Chamika Karunaratne to rally them home. Requiring five off the last over NCC lost a wicket off the first ball, but Karunaratne ran a two and hit a boundary off the fourth to see his team cross the line.

Jeewaka Sashin shored up the NCC top order with an attractive 85 off 48 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes) and Dineth Goonewardena provided the spark towards the end with 31 off 16, being dismissed with 9 required to win. Left-arm spinner Induwara Udena took 3/24 for Moors SC for whom Sohan de Livera top scored with 64 (45 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) out of their

total of 175-7.

In the semi-finals scheduled for 13 September, CCC will play Tamil Union at the SSC grounds under lights at 7 pm in the first semi-final, and SSC will take on NCC at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium under lights at 7 pm in the second semi-final. The final is scheduled for 16 September. (ST)

Sri Lanka yesterday invited investors, businesses, and institutions within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to explore the opportunity that Sri Lanka offers.

The invitation was extended by Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe during his remarks at the inauguration of the two-day Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, China under the theme ‘Advancing High Quality Development, Embarking on a New Journey.’

Over 6,000 leaders from the government and private sectors from 70 countries are attending the Summit organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Hong Kong Trade Development Council, with the support of The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong S.A.R. The Belt and Road Summit is a premier international platform for promoting business collaboration along the Belt and Road. This year’s event is the 11th edition.

‘Sri Lanka is focused on strengthening innovation, investor confidence, and imploring ease of doing business and promoting investment opportunities across a range of sectors, including renewable energy, logistics, tourism, information technology, advanced manufacturing, agricultural technology, promoting value additions, and food processing,’ Minister Samarasinghe said.

The BRI Summit was inaugurated by People’s Republic of China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region CEO John KC Lee. Among the global leaders in attendance were Uzbekistan Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Uruguay Vice President Carolina Cosse, and Laos Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.

Among Trade and Commerce Ministers attending and speaking at a policy dialogue titled ‘Building Resilient Trade and Investment Frameworks in a Diverse Global Landscape,’ Minister Samarasinghe emphasised that in a rapidly changing global environment, resilience is no longer simply an advantage but a necessity.

He said that Sri Lanka’s economic strategy is focussed on export-led growth, high productivity, continuous innovation and technology, private sector development, and sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

He said that international trade is increasingly connected with digital technologies, green growth, resilience, supply chain, investment flows, and development of new industries.

‘To achieve this, our approach must be comprehensive. First, we must strengthen and diversify our trade partnership. Second, we must promote investment that creates long-term value. Foreign investment should not only bring capital; it should also support technology transfer, skills development, innovation, and export by education and global creation,’ Minister Samarasinghe told the BRI Summit in Hong Kong, China,

He said that International partnership can play an important role. ‘The BRI has created opportunities for dialogue and cooperation among countries with diverse economic structures and development priorities and Sri Lanka remains committed to make maximum use of the initiative via greater collaboration,’ he said.

‘We strongly believe we need stronger multilateral and regional partnership, more open and inclusive trade. Greatest support for developing economies is needed to participate effectively in the global value chain. The future trade must be resilient, but it must also be inclusive. Developing countries, small and medium-sized enterprises, farmers, entrepreneurs, and young people must all have the opportunity to benefit from the whole of that international trade,’ Minister Samarasinghe added.

He figured in a panel that included Qatar State Minister for Foreign Trade Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Thailand Vice Minister for Commerce Dr. Kirida Bhaopichitr, Bangladesh Minister for Commerce and Industries Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Kazakhstan Trade Minister Arman Shakkaliyev, and Timor-Leste Commerce and Industry Minister Filipus Nino Pereira.

Lee in his remarks said: ‘In a world struggling with unprecedented change and geopolitical fragmentation, connectivity, co-operation, and consensus are essential. That’s precisely what the BRI offers.’

‘Rooted in our rich history of cross-cultural collaboration, the BRI is not a map of the past, but a shared blueprint for the future. And Hong Kong is where we realise that future. Where East meets West. Where capital, talent, businesses, and opportunities converge,’ he added.

‘For good reason. Under ‘one country, two systems,’ Hong Kong enjoys the strong support of China, our country, while maintaining far-reaching international connectivity. We are internationally recognised as a global centre for finance, trade, and logistics, as well as legal services and dispute resolution. Hong Kong is also developing rapidly as an international innovation, technology, and education hub,’ the BRI Summit was told.

He said Hong Kong’s merchandise trade with Belt and Road countries rose by nearly 17% last year, reaching about $ 323 billion. Close to 1,500 companies from Belt and Road countries have established offices in Hong Kong, up about 17% from 2022. Over 100 Belt and Road companies are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with more in the pipeline.

‘The true currency of the Belt and Road is, after all, trust. It is what Hong Kong can seamlessly deliver as a global gateway for capital,’ Lee stressed.

The BRI Summit was also told Hong Kong is an ideal two-way springboard for Mainland enterprises expanding overseas, and for international companies looking to enter the Mainland market.

‘The BRI is ultimately about building bridges – not just across continents, but also into a brighter future,’ Lee added.

This year’s Belt and Road Summit will explore fresh potential arising from new patterns of regional cooperation in trade, investment, and development among Belt and Road and other markets, particularly ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Presenting insights from nearly 100 distinguished policymakers and business leaders, new multifaceted thematic showcases, and business matching activities, this year’s Summit offers a wealth of knowledge, extensive networks, and quality investment and business opportunities, facilitated through Hong Kong, the global business platform that connects the Chinese Mainland and the world.

Kapila Wijegunawardene holding his inaugural meeting with the media since being installed as Cricket Selectors Chairman four months ago said that the main focus of the selection panel was to have a settled squad for the 2027 Cricket World Cup that will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in February-March.

One of the key changes the selection committee made for the white ball tour to England in this regard was to recall all-rounder Dasun Shanaka to the ODI squad after a lapse of two years.

Wijegunawardene, a former Sri Lanka fast bowler said that Shanaka was being considered as a possible number 7 batting all-rounder as Sri Lanka were looking for a player capable of strengthening the balance of the side.

Another change brought about to this effect was appointing Charith Asalanka as vice-captain to Kusal Mendis for the two white ball formats (ODI and T20I) for the England tour at the expense of Kamindu Mendis who was vice-captain for the series in the Caribbean and the home Tests against India.

‘The rationale in making Kamindu vice-captain for all three formats was when we looked at the playing 11 he was the mainstay in all three, that was the reason to make him vice-captain in the Caribbean,’ said Wijegunawardene. ‘Subsequently, he carried on with the Indian series as well. But when we were picking the team for the England tour Charith Aslanka made it back into both formats and based on his performances and given his seniority and captaincy experience, he was handed over the vice-captaincy.’

Wijegunawardene said that Kamindu was regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s key batsmen and they wanted him to give him the freedom to concentrate on his batting and it was not due to any performance or disciplinary related issue.

‘Removal of the vice-captaincy has no relevance in picking the captain,’ he said.

Speaking further Wijegunawardene said that the selection committee hoped to develop a clearer picture of its preferred World Cup squad over the upcoming tours to England, Pakistan, India and New Zealand. But injuries and player workloads could still force changes. ‘The objective is to establish the core group that Sri Lanka intends to develop for the World Cup. Planning is key. We are planning to succeed, we are not planning to fail.’

Further on the subject of captaincy, Wijegunawardene acknowledged the fact that the Test team in recent times had not performed to expectations and added that it was premature to speculate on whether there would be a change of captain.

‘Given our performance in the Test format in the recent past, it’s obvious that none of us can be happy about what we have been delivering. When the next format selections are being discussed, necessary discussions will naturally prevail and we’ll take the decisions we feel are warranted.’

For the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from 19 September to 4 October, Wijegunawardene said that experienced players like Niroshan Dickwella and Chamika Karunaratne have been considered for selection based on their experience and ability and confirmed that Sahan Arachchige would lead the Sri Lanka team.

Wijegunawardene said that several young players who have performed strongly in domestic cricket and the Lanka Premier League remained under consideration and added that vacancies in the national team were limited and selectors could not accommodate every player performing well at the same time.

He defended the non-selection of some leading domestic performers, saying selectors had to consider team balance and the specific roles required rather than statistics alone.

Defy has announced the launch of DEFY INT, its new through-the-line (TTL) agency, with Wasaam Ismail appointed as Chief Executive Officer.

DEFY INT is built for brands that need their thinking to work cohesively across every touchpoint. With digital at its core, the agency brings together creative conceptualisation, integrated campaigns, audio-visual and film production, live brand experiences, and data-led execution, sharpened by AI where it adds genuine value.

The agency is defined by five pillars embedded in its very name: Interactive, Intelligent, Integrated, Intentional and Defyint. It is Interactive in the work it creates across creative, digital, AV and live experiences; Intelligent with its use of data, analytics, targeting and AI; Integrated with a creative powerhouse’s thinking and its full range of services brought together under one team and story; Intentional in the clients it chooses to partner with and the commitment it gives each of them; and Defyint (defiant) in its belief that challenging the status quo can create a better way forward.

Ismail brings extensive experience across advertising, marketing and corporate communications to the role. He spent nine years at Loops Integrated, joining as General Manager before transitioning to the role of CEO for more than half of his tenure. During his time there, he played a significant role in mentoring the first, and to date only, Sri Lankan team to win the Young Spikes competition in the Digital category.

Over half of Ismail’s career has been in advertising, with experience at agencies including Phoenix Ogilvy and Z Messenger. He has also worked with Hutchison Telecommunications and served as General Manager – Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing at LAUGFS Holdings. Throughout his career, he has worked across finance, FMCG, retail, telecom, energy, fashion and hospitality. His work has earned recognition at the Effie Awards, SLIM Digis and Dragons of Asia.

He has served on the board of the Accredited Advertising Agencies Association (4A’s) and is currently an Executive Committee Member of the Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka (DMASL). He has also been a jury member for the Effie Awards, deputy jury head for SLIM Digis, and a judge for the local Young Spikes Asia competition. Ismail also spent nine years as a lecturer for CIM at the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, contributing to the development of future marketing talent. He holds an MBA (Aus), a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (CIM UK), and is a recipient of the Sri Lanka Prize for Marketing Planning from CIM (UK).

‘DEFY INT is about bringing disciplines together without allowing the thinking to fragment along the way. We want to create work that is strategically sound, creatively strong, measurable and genuinely connected across every touchpoint. Just as importantly, we want to be intentional about the brands we partner with and the promises we make to them,’ said Ismail.

‘Wasaam brings a level of experience and leadership that is incredibly valuable to DEFY at this stage of our journey. I have tremendous faith in his ability to lead DEFY INT and, more importantly, to bring the kind of senior thinking, perspective and accountability that clients increasingly need from their agency partners. Having someone of his calibre personally involved in the business means our clients benefit from that experience both at a strategic level and in the decisions and work we make for them every day,’ said DEFY Group CEO and DEFY Chief Creative Officer Dilshara Jayamanna.

With DEFY INT, the group is positioning itself as an integrated partner for brands seeking craft, intelligence, honesty and attention in the same agency relationship.