MBA Kelaniya Residential Workshop

Master of Business Administration (MBA Kelaniya) is the flagship masters’ program offered by the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies – University of Kelaniya. Since its inception in 2005, the program has excelled in promoting platforms where knowledge is created thus crafting vibrant postgraduates through the MBA program.

MBA residential workshop is an activity that was added to MBA portfolio in year 2022. Allowing MBA students to engage in the industry and to advance their knowledge in varied aspects, the residential workshop was held for the second consecutive time on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of February 2023. The residential workshop has been evolving around a panel discussion. This year, a new pillar was added – that includes an industrial visit. On the first day, MBA students visited MAS Thulhiriya to experience their sustainability actions, and novel production practices.

The second day, which is the core of the residential workshop was devoted to a panel discussion and leadership development program held at Aliya Resort and Spa, Sigiriya. As an extension of the previous year dialogue on the way forward in responding to the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka, this year’s panel discussion focused on export orientation of Sri Lanka. The panel discussion was held under theme of “Foreseeing the Sri Lankan Export Agenda: Policies, Practices and Entrepreneurship". The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. M.M.M.Shamil, a senior lecturer of the Department of Commerce and Financial Management, University of Kelaniya, and Mr. A.M. Karunathilake – a student of MBA batch 14. The panelists included Mr. Janaka Karunaratne, assistant governor, Department of Supervision of Non-Bank Financial Institutions, Regional Development Department, and Finance Department, Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Dr. Sanjeewa Rathnasekara, Deputy Director, Export Development Board, and Mr. Chandana Ranasinghe, Founder and CEO, Acentura Inc and Acentura Private Limited. Faculty members were participated in the event.

The latter half of the day was colored by an interactive leadership development session conducted by Mr. Rukmal De Silva, founder of 361 Degrees Ltd. The session was conducted under the theme - “Leadership, is it an almost expired product?”. The residential workshop was summed up with social gatherings enriching the bond and cohesiveness among the learning partners and faculty.