The AICPA & CIMA Students’ Society (CIMASS) recently made history with the launch of NeXora 2025, a groundbreaking professional development initiative, first – of – its – kind professional development program was designed to bridge the gap between where individuals are today and where they aspire to be.

As the official representative body for CIMA students in Sri Lanka, CIMASS is renowned for flagship events like the CIMA Mind Challenge and Launchpad. However, NeXora 2025 carved out a unique space, focusing specifically on bridging the gap between current potential and future success. The name itself  –  a fusion of “Next” “Era” and “Aura” – set the stage for two days of transformative energy.

The event was held on the 17th and 18th of January at the CIMA Sri Lanka Auditorium in Narahenpita.
NeXora 2025 was brought into life through related topics of discussions and a variety of segments to ensure engagement and relevance to the audience.

Day 01: Grit, Growth, and the Digital Shift

January 17th focused on the foundations of entrepreneurship and the rapidly changing industrial landscape.

• The Startup Rollercoaster: Growth, Grit & Groundwork: Dilupa Pathirana (CEO/Director of Barista) opened the event with an inspiring session on the inspirational journeys and hard work required for success.
• Panel Discussion: Trends, Key Highlights & Future Predictions: Moderated by Dhananath Fernando (CEO of Advocata Institute), this session offered deep industry insights from:
  • Dr. Royston Cumine, PhD (Assistant Dean of Imperial College of Business Studies, Director/CEO of ComSyn Med)Malaka Rubasinghe (MD/Founder/Senior Lecturer: Singhe Group, Singhe Furniture, WAVE Bolgoda, Island by Bolgoda)Anushka De Silva (Group CFO of Aberdeen Holdings)
  • Sandro Sathyajith (State Award – winning news anchor, former prime time TV News producer & anchor at News 1st)
• Workshop Segments:
  • Balanced, Not Busy: Fahad Farook (Co – Founder of Popcorn Teams, International Trainer, and Transformative Coach) spoke on work – life alignment as a smarter way to thrive.
  • Upskill, Reskill, Cross – Skill: Dulinda Perera (Founder/CEO of IKON Group, Business Leader, and Strategic Consultant) emphasized that the job market favors learners, not just the qualified.
• Motivational Speaker Segment: Peter D’Almeida (Tech Entrepreneur, Social Activist, and Actor) and Bathiya Jayakody (Entrepreneur, Director, and Singer) delivered a powerful session titled “Own Your Story,” proving that choices, not the past, define a person.
• Digital World, AI, Automation & The Next Big Shift: Moderated by Shamil Akbar (Channel Marketing Manager at Unilever, Compere, and Trainer), featuring Udara Dharmasena (Regional VP at Roar AdX), Asanga Ranasinghe (CTIO at Hutch Sri Lanka), and Tharindra Kulasinghe (CIO at CAL).

Day 02: Leadership, Mindsets, and Industry Truths

January 18th utilised curated discussions to explore leadership, personal finance, and the future of work.

Curated Roundtable Discussions

• Cross – Industry Collaboration: Can Shared Problems Drive Shared Solutions?: Led by Suresh Emmanuel (SVP/CSIO of HNB Plc), Mahesha Amarasuriya (Director of Mastercard, CIMA Global Membership Committee), Gihan Samarawickrama (Founder of The Compere, Director at ARS Healthcare), and Nishan Sembacuttiaratchchy (CEO of CIC/Strategy Partners, Director/CEO – NSIP), moderated by Venuri Udawatta (Manager – Brand and Communications at Union Assurance PLC).
• Workforce 2030: What Skills, Values, and Mindsets Will Define the Next Generation?: Featuring Chalu Weerakoon (Manager of Corporate Communication and Brands at JAT Holdings PLC), Gimhan Sumanasekara (PickMe Head of Delivery), and Wayomi Gunathilaka (Chief Marketing Manager of Lankapay), moderated by Dulani Wijesinghe (President of hSenid Toastmasters, Executive at hSenid Business Solutions).
• Is leadership learned through training or only through experience?: A debate featuring Rashmi Seneviratne (MD of Stratova Pvt Ltd, ACMA CGMA, FCPA), Kasun Liyanage (Top Lecturer for GCE A/L Economics and Business Studies), and Hasanji Ellawala (Relationship Manager at HSBC Sri Lanka), moderated by Menaka Perera (Lead Data Analyst at Dialog Axiata PLC).

Specialized Forums & Fireside Chats

• Financial Wellness Workshop: Akila Gunarathna (Director of Corporate Finance at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Chairman of Inspire Business School) shared essential personal finance skills for real life.
• Collaboration vs. Competition: Which Drives Growth?: Featuring Tharindu Wijewardana (Country Head, AICPA & CIMA Sri Lanka), Dhanushka Fernando (FCV Group, Entrepreneur, and Social Activist), Jehan Perinpanayagam (CEO of Infomate, Senior VP of JKH, Past Chairman of SLASSCOM), and Dulith Herath (Founder/Chairman of Kapruka.com), moderated by Nishadi Liyanaarachchi (Finance Specialist at Dialog Axiata PLC).
• Failure Forums: The Unseen Struggles Behind Visible Success: Abdus Samad (Co – founder and Finance Director of Crepe Runner, Snack Entity, etc.) shared raw insights, moderated by Shehanka Gimhani (FP&A Specialist and Lecturer).
• Fireside Chats X Q&A: A casual conversation with Janik Jayasuriya (Founder/MD of Celeste), Stephanie Siriwardhana (Certified Corporate Trainer and Business Psychologist), and Nikitha Grero (Group Chairman/CEO of Lyceum Global Holdings), moderated by Shevon Perera (Founder/MD of Mongolian Street, News Anchor at SLRC).

Beyond the sessions, the atmosphere remained electric thanks to ice – breaker activities by Ravindu Amendra De Silva, whose humor and engagement kept the “housefull” audience on their toes.

Our Partners in Success

NeXora 2025 was made possible through the generous support of our partners:

• Gold Sponsor: Mastercard
• Bronze Sponsor: Aberdeen Holdings
• Official Printing Partner: Methuli Premium Printers
• Official Event Management Partner: Platinum Events
• Official Coffee Partner: Barista
• Official Gift Partner: Taco Bell
• Beverage Partner: Coca – Cola
• Online Digital Media Partner: Eduwire
• Social Media Partner: Chokolatte

NeXora 2025 would not have been a success without the incredible support from every corner.

To our Speakers & Moderators: A massive thank you to all our speakers and moderators who added value, incredible support, and inspiration, providing something for our audience to carry home from the event.

To our Audience: A massive thank you to the incredible, engaging, and active audience throughout the program. We hope every one of you had something to take away from the event to make your futures bright.

This milestone event was the result of the vision and tireless efforts of the AICPA & CIMA Students’ Society organizing committee, led by President Niven Lenora, President of AICPA & CIMA Students’ Society 2025, who conceptualized the initiative, Dulaksha Jithmini, Project Chairperson & Vice President, who brought the vision to life, Shalini Balu, Assistant Vice President, for her pivotal support in adding colour to the event.

Special appreciation goes to Tharindu Wijewardana (Country Head, AICPA & CIMA Sri Lanka) and the entire CIMA Sri Lanka team for their unwavering guidance.

NeXora 2025 didn’t just happen; it left a mark. It empowered an aura that will undoubtedly shape the “Next Era” of Sri Lankan professionals.

Until next time,

AICPA & CIMA Students’ Society