SLASSCOM CEO Meeting explores sustainability as a key to innovation and success in IT/BPM sector

Panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities in implementing sustainability principles

The CEO & Leadership Meeting hosted by SLASSCOM ESG Forum recently bought together business leaders, sustainability advocates, and industry influencers to explore how sustainability can drive growth and innovation within Sri Lanka’s IT and BPM sectors.Themed “Sustainability: A Catalyst for Business Growth and Resilience,” it emphasized the crucial role of ESG principles in shaping a resilient, innovative future for the industry.

Sustainability as a Business Enabler - A key highlight of the event was Sophie Graham’s keynote, where she framed sustainability as a business enabler, not just a compliance requirement. With 12 years of experience in sustainability across EMEIA, Americas, and the UK, Sophie leads Sustainability & ESG at IFS. She emphasized how IT and BPM sectors can drive growth and resilience by integrating sustainability strategies and shared examples of global companies leveraging sustainability for success. She urged Sri Lankan companies to align with global ESG standards, stating, “Organizations embracing this shift will lead in innovation and resilience.”

Integrating Sustainability for Long-Term Growth - A panel discussion followed, moderated by Zahra Cader, Director of ESG Government & Public Sector at Deloitte, exploring the challenges and opportunities for Sri Lanka’s IT and BPM sectors in implementing sustainability principles.

Chamindry Saparamadu, Director General of Sri Lanka’s Sustainable Development Council, emphasized the need for the IT sector to align with the country’s SDGs. She highlighted its potential to drive climate action, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, food security, and gender equality, with digital innovation as a key enabler and the development of a National SDG Progress Report and dashboard to track progress in key focus areas.

Denver De Zylva. Global Head of Sustainability and Facilities, Virtusa Corp Joint Country Head, Virtusa Sri Lanka,discussed strategies for embedding sustainability in business operations to drive long-term growth, emphasizing transparent governance, corporate responsibility, meeting both customer and investor expectations, as well as initiating sustainable IT practices to reduce environmental impact and enhance energy efficiency.

Azam Baker-Marker, Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations shared global and national challenges relevant to Sri Lanka’s IT and BPM sectors, including energy transition, resource management, and digital inclusivity. He urged companies to prioritize renewable energy, adopt circular economy principles, and align with sustainable development goals to enhance the industry’s global positioning. Sophie Graham underscored how global IT leaders are integrating sustainability into their core business strategies, urging Sri Lankan firms to follow suit and highlighted the need for long-term commitment, saying, “Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Companies that lead in sustainability today will set the standard for the future.”

The CEO & Leadership Meeting emphasized collaboration across public, private, and non-profit sectors to create scalable sustainability solutions. Key priorities included renewable energy, sustainable IT practices, energy-efficient software, and integrating inclusivity and governance. Ethical decision-making and social responsibility were recognized as essential for compliance, trust, and long-term success.

The overarching takeaway from the eventwas that sustainability is a core driver of business resilience, innovation and growth. Sri Lanka’s IT and BPM sectors being well-positioned to lead in sustainability, should use it for differentiation and long-term success. By aligning with global standards and fostering collaboration, Sri Lankan businesses can lead in sustainable practices, creating positive social and environmental impact.