Organized by the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL), the second annual General Insurance Sales Congress (GISCO) was held on the 25th of May 2017 at the Water’s Edge in Battaramulla. The event was attended by over 500 delegates from various insurance companies and other related organizations as well as the crème de la crème of the industry. 

Gracing the event as chief guest was the Chairperson of the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL), Mrs. Indrani Sugathadasa along with Mrs. Damayanthi Fernando, the Director General of the IBSL, Mr. Dharma Deerasinghe, the Chairman of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon, who was also the event’s Keynote Speaker, Dr. Fabrizio Majorana, Executive Director of the Six Sigma Management Institute of Europe and Mr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi, the President of the IASL. Following the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and the national anthem, the audience was presented with an inspiring curtain raiser that presented the theme of the congress – “Sustainability Through Innovation”.

In his welcome address, Mr. Hashra Weerawardena, the Chairman of the Marketing & Sales Forum of the IASL, warmly welcomed the chief guest, special invitees and delegates and proudly announced to the gathering that the 1st of September had been declaredas National Insurance Day by the Government. Mr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi, the President of the IASL, emphasized the importance of using innovation as a means of increasing the penetration of Insurance in the country. “It is our task and responsibility to increase the level of penetration and contribute more to the country’s GDP”, stated Mr. Lokuarachchi. Chief Guest, Mrs. Indrani Sugathdasa congratulated the IASL and the MSF for having organized GISCO for the second consecutive year andexplained the necessity of insurance in public enterprise and its value to the economy. Mrs. Sugathdasa also placed special emphasis on the importance of effective customer relations. 

the Chairperson of the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL), Mrs. Indrani Sugathadasa

Keynote Speaker, Mr. Dharma Dheerasinghe provided the gathering with detailed insights into the Sri Lankan economy, its current status and the responsibilities of the insurance industry as of its stakeholders. Following an entertainment item, Dr. Fabrizio Majorana stepped up to the podium and provided the audience with an inspiring presentation of the innovative methods used by the Six Sigma Management Institute. “Process is only a means, the customer does not see the process only the quality”, stated Dr. Majorana. The CEO’s panel discussion followed, consisting; of Mr. Ajith Gunawardena, the CEO of Ceylinco General, Mr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi, the CEO of HNB Assurance, Ms. SurekhaAlles, the CEO of Allianz Insurance and Mr. Sanjeev Jha, the CEO of Fairfirst Insurance, with Mr. Manjula De Silva, the Chairman of NITF as the panel’s moderator.Following the lunch break, motivational speaker - Mr. Yasas Hewage, delivered a stirring speech to inspire the gathering to work innovatively in order to ensure the development and the future of the insurance industry. A Sales and Technical panel discussion took place after Mr. Hewage’s speech. Moderated by Mr. Adel Hashim, the panel was made up of Mr. Chandana Aluthgama of HNB Assurance, Ms. Thanuja Higulage of SLIC Insurance, Mr. SathyajithWijepura of Ceylinco Insurance, Mr. Shamil Annam of ATL (Amana Takaful Insurance), Mr. Anura Perera of Allianz Insurance and Ms. Dayalani Abeygunawardena of Janashakthi Insurance.

Mr. Dinesh Yogarathnam, a member of the Marketing & Sales Forum, drew the day’s events to a close with his Vote of Thanks. 

 Mr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi, the President of the IASL

Mr. Hashra Weerawardena, the Chairman of the Marketing & Sales Forum of the IASL handing over a plaque of appreciation to the Chairperson of the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL), Mrs. Indrani Sugathadasa