The Chartered Institute of Marketing Sri Lanka CIMSL celebrated its 20th year anniversary recently at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo under the patronage of Speaker of the Parliament Karu Jayasuriya together with an unprecedented gathering of the business fraternity and distinguished dignitaries.  
This celebratory event was organised with the objective of appreciating, recognizing and celebrating individuals and organisations that have helped in the progression of CIMSL activities over the past 20 years and to promote a network of fellowship amongst its members and the business fraternity. Along with the 20th Anniversary celebrations the Chartered Marketer/Fellowship Investiture was also conducted and the ceremony acknowledged 13 members as Fellows and 22 members were given the Chartered Marketer Status. CIM Sri Lanka also felicitated the staff members who have been with the institute for over 15 years and undoubtedly been the axis of its successful journey.  

The occasion was graced by the presence of Chartered Institute of Marketing UK Associate Director Development Oliver Greening, CIM Sri Lanka Founder Chairman Eardley Perera, Chartered Institute of Marketing Sri Lanka President Stuart Chapman, Chartered Institute of Marketing Sri Lanka Chairman Sanjika Perera, past presidents and chairpersons and past and current board members. 
The Speaker stated that marketers play a vital role in the economic development of a country.  At a time when Sri Lanka is fuelled by rapid economic development, it is essential for professional bodies and other stakeholders to strengthen and sharpen their techniques to meet new challenges. There is no doubt that professionals play an important role in the progress of a nation. 
CIM Sri Lanka Founder chair Eardley Perera inspired the audience by reflecting the journey of CIM Sri Lanka over the past 20 years and its recognition and achievements in the years gone by. 

The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the largest community of professional marketers in the world with 100 years of heritage delivering education, membership and insight offerings to the marketing and sales profession. As the world’s largest institute for professional marketers with over 35,000 members globally, CIM places great emphasis in maintaining high standards of quality and integrity and as such, develops and sets standards within marketing landscapes of UK and other regional countries in which it operates. The CIM qualification is the only marketing qualification recognized by the Royal Charter of the United Kingdom.
The CIM Sri Lanka Region is the first international branch of CIM UK and comprises of the largest number of members, both professional and students, of CIM outside the UK. Celebrating the 20th Anniversary this year CIM SL has always campaigned for high professional standards, greater recognition for the profession and marketing excellence in Sri Lanka, through education, training and continuous professional development (CPD).