High skilled professional workforce can drive SL's financial services sector: CISI Chair Michael Cole Fontayn

SRI Lanka’s high skilled, professional workforce and geographical location can ensure there are growing opportunities across the financial services sector for Sri Lanka, according to Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) Chair Michael Cole Fontayn.

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During his second visit to Sri Lanka, the global educational charity and professional body’s Chair pointed to strategic partnerships as one of the drivers of CISI growth in Sri Lanka.

The CISI, which will celebrate 15 years in Colombo in 2026, signed a MoU earlier this year with the Association of Accounting Technicians, which is partnering with the CISI to boost its members’ career prospects through shared materials.

Cole Fontayn, who was appointed chair of the International Business and Diplomatic Exchange in April this year, undertook a full itinerary. This included meetings in Colombo with the Central Bank Governor Dr P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with CISI’s accredited training partner The Academy of Finance, along with attending events and presentations with the local ACCA, Association of Accounting Technicians, and the University of Colombo.

Fontayn also had meetings with CISI’s National Advisory Council (NAC), led by MCSI NAC President Nandika Buddhipala, and including Sarvodaya Development Finance and Echelon Media Chair Channa de Silva MCSI, Sri Jayewardenepura University Faculty of Finance Head and SEC Chair Professor Hareendra Dissabandara MCSI, Global Best Practice Group Regional Director — Asia Indrajith Fernando MCSI, and Independent International Consultant Ranel Wijesinha.

During his meeting with the University of Colombo Vice Chancellor Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Fontayn discussed opportunities to build student capacity and strengthen engagement. He said: “CISI is a piece of the puzzle in enhancing the knowledge of financial services professionals. We achieve this by expanding our member-

ship, building bridges and partnerships, particularly across Commonwealth countries and through our strong presence in the MENA region.”