It is with great pleasure that I send this message on the occasion of the 13th annual convention of our association, the APB – Sri Lanka that will take place on 4th and 5th November to commemorate the 23rd Anniversary of the association.

APB’s annual Convention is today, without doubt one of the most prestigious gatherings of senior executives and top professionals in the Banking and Financial services industry. It is a venue for learning, for sharing of knowledge and views and to promote new ideas amongst the best in the industry and is enriched with valuable insights from the best resources garnered from regional and international markets.

The theme of the convention “Banking Foresight – shaping integrated development” is very appropriate and topical considering the vital and influential role being played by the banking and financing sector as the key driving force of the rapid development in achieving full potential of the politically stable and united country and prosperity for the nation, amidst new and emerging challenges posed by the changing global economic and financial environment. We are at cross roads with new and renewed opportunities witnessed never before and it is imperative to bring together all stakeholders of development in our continuous exciting journey to achieve the higher sustainable growth and prosperity for the nation.

The inauguration of the Convention will be graced by the Governor of the Central bank of Sri Lanka, Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal as the Chief Guest, while Mr. Michael Tan, Managing Director and the Head of the Financial Institutions Group of the Asia Pacific Region, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, will deliver the keynote address.

The technical sessions to be held on 5th November will focus on four essential sub-themes ie, creating the right economic environment through private and public partnership, talent management to develop winning strategies, role of the banks in capital formation and legal and regulatory reforms for financial sector stability and soundness, in order to understand the emerging changes, challenges and the responsibilities of the sector. This will be followed by a panel discussion covering other essential ingredients needed such as marketing, information and technology and other inputs for economic development.

A convention of this magnitude is feasible only through considerable team effort, and planning.  I wish to place on record the team effort put in by the Convention Committee, the Council Members, Advisory Committee, Fund Management Committee, Bank Representatives, staff of the APB Secretariat and the general membership of APB to make this event a resounding success. I also wish to record our sincere appreciation to our sponsors, without whose support this convention would not have being possible.

I extend a very warm welcome to all the invitees, eminent speakers participants and trust that we all use this unique opportunity to network and benefit from the at the Convention.

I wish the Convention all success and the participants a fruitful and memorable experience.
W.A. Nalani , President, Association of Professional Bankers – Sri Lanka.