The Public Relations Association of Sri Lanka (PRASL) successfully held its 1st Annual General Meeting, announcing the appointment of its new Executive Committee for the 2025/2026 term. Mushthak Ahamed was unanimously elected President, succeeding Rezani Aziz, the President of the inaugural board.
The PRASL Executive Committee for 2025/2026 comprises a team of PR professionals dedicated to achieving the association’s goals. The committee is led by Mushthak Ahamed, with Ashan Kumar as Vice President, Ashan Jayatilaka as Secretary, Nevindee Amarasinghe as Assistant Secretary, Anjuu Bakshani as Treasurer, and Cathrina Chang as Assistant Treasurer.
Additional board members include Rezani Aziz, Rajiv David, Dasini Madurasinghe, and Kithunika Nawalage, with veteran PR professional Nimal Gunewardena serving as an Advisor to the Board.
Delivering his keynote address, Ahamed remarked, “The focus will be on driving growth—growth in membership, growth in value, and growth in the impact PRASL can have on shaping the public relations industry in Sri Lanka. Too often, the role of public relations and its undeniable impact on an organization’s growth is overlooked. Organizations like ours are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap and lead the way in demonstrating the impact of strategic public relations.”
He also extended his gratitude to the inaugural board, led by Rezani, “The work done by Rezani and the inaugural team has been instrumental in setting the groundwork for PRASL. Their efforts have provided us with a foundation to continue building a stronger community of PR professionals,” he noted.
The newly appointed board outlined a strategic focus for the coming year, centered on five key pillars: Connect, Inspire, Engage, Educate, and Reward. A strong emphasis has been placed on promoting the highest standards of competence and professionalism within the industry, creating platforms for the exchange of ideas and experiences among PR professionals.
Outgoing President Rezani Aziz expressed her gratitude to the inaugural board for their support during her tenure and reflected on the foundational work achieved to establish PRASL as the voice of the public relations industry in Sri Lanka. She wished the new Executive Committee success in building on this foundation and driving the industry forward.
Notable achievements and collaborations in 2023/24
- Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI) Membership: Provided members access to a global network, online knowledge programs, and collaborative opportunities.
- Thought Leadership Forum: Featured Ashwani Singla in January on “Reputation, Risk, and Regulation in a Ruptured World.”
- Masterclass on Reputation: Conducted in July with Amith Prabhu and Sujit Patil; sponsored two participants for Praxis 2024 in Pune.
- World Public Relations Week: Partnered with Praxis and Score to promote global knowledge sharing in November.
- MOU with University of Kelaniya: Strengthened ties with academia to support curriculum development, mentorships, and internships.
PRASL invites public relations professionals across Sri Lanka to join its growing community and be part of the journey to elevate the industry. By becoming a member, you can contribute to shaping the future of PR while benefiting from opportunities for collaboration, learning, and professional growth. For membership inquiries, please contact info@prasl.lk, or visit www.prasl.lk/membership/ to apply today.
