Global and local lineup of industry visionaries to take the stage at the Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2025 “Retail Reimagined: Where AI Meets the Human Edge”

The Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association (SLRA) proudly presents the Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2025, themed “Retail Reimagined – Where AI Meets the Human Edge.” Scheduled for Thursday, 23 October 2025, at the Grand Ballroom, Shangri-La Colombo, the forum will bring together more than 450 leaders from retail, business, and technology to explore the future of retail innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human connection.

The event will be graced by Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, Sri Lanka, as Chief Guest, setting the tone for a day of thought leadership and collaboration focused on the nation’s evolving digital and retail ecosystems.

Delivering the Keynote Address is Satyendra Khare, Head – Strategic & Emerging Partnerships and Distribution Ecosystem (India & SAARC), Google India, who will share insights on “Infinite Possibilities” and the transformative impact of AI on global retail.

The speaker lineup further includes Murtaza Jafferjee, CEO – JB Securities and Chairman – Advocata Institute; Bhanuka Harischandra, Founder & CEO – Surge Global; Paul Alexander, Chief Executive Officer – Beyond: Putting Data to Work (UK); Dr. Romesh Ranawana, Group Chief Analytics & AI Officer – Dialog Axiata PLC; and Dilini Jayasuriya, Chief Research Officer – Breakthrough Business Intelligence.

The panel discussion will feature Ahmed Irfan, Director – Futureworks at MAS Holdings; Dr. Rohantha Athukorala, Country Director – Clootrack (Sri Lanka, Maldives & Pakistan); and Sabrina Esufally, Managing Director – Hemas Consumer Brands; moderated by Crystal Nathan, Chief Insights Officer – PepperCube Consultants (Pvt) Ltd. Together, these thought leaders will examine how technology, human insight, and empathy are redefining the customer experience and shaping the next era of retail growth.

This year’s forum is powered by a dynamic network of partners across industries. Platinum Sponsors: John Keells CG Auto (Pvt) Ltd and Jaykay Marketing Services (Pvt) Ltd, coming together as Platinum Sponsors for Retail Forum 2025. Silver Sponsors: Abans PLC, Healthguard Pharmacy Ltd, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC, Samsung Sri Lanka, and Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd. Associate Sponsors: Vision Care, Perera and Sons Bakers (Pvt) Ltd, DSI, SPAR Supermarkets, Havelock City Mall, Cool Planet (Pvt) Ltd, and CBL Group. The Tech Talk Sponsor is Omak Technologies and NCINGA PTE LTD, while Exhibition Sponsors include Itechro (Pvt) Ltd, EffectZ.AI (Pvt) Ltd, and Essilor Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Radio Partner, E FM. Azbow (Pvt) Ltd joins as the Digital Sponsor, Oneticket.lk as the Ticketing Partner, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce as the Event Partner, Impressions Public Relations as the PR Partner, and Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) as the Logistics Sponsor.

Tickets are available for purchase through both the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and https://oneticket.lk/ at https://event.chamber.lk/event-register/410 and https://slra25.oneticket.lk/.

For further information, Shashini Somapala, Manager – Events at The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phone on 077 819 5038

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Photo Caption

Image 1 - The speaker lineup of the Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2025