The Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) recently held the inaugural memorial oration for late Prof. Uditha Liyanage, Sri Lanka’s finest marketing guru, who played a key role as a senior faculty member in Marketing at PIM for over 20 years and had served as the Director of PIM and Chairman of the Institute’s Board of Management. Prof. Liyanage was also the Chairman and President of CIM and SLIM respectively.
The event was graced by Senor Mrs. Liyanage, (mother of Prof Liyanage), Mrs. Shriyani Liyanage (wife) and Ms. Chathuri Liyanage (daughter).
The event commenced with Ms. Chahturi Liyanage garlanding of the photograph of the late Prof Liyanage, followed by a video presentation that walled the audience through Prof; Liyanage’s life, showcasing his vibrant personality, his achievements and the immense contribution he had made to Sri Lanka’s marketing landscape.
Prof. Uditha Liyanage was the first-ever Sri Lankan Honorary Fellow of the Asia Marketing Federation and was a Chartered Marketer and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). He was an Adjunct Professor of Management of University of Canberra, Australia and counted over 15 years of experience in the industry, having held senior marketing management positions on the boards of some of the leading companies in the country, such as Commercial Bank, DIMO, Chemanex and Ceylon Cold Stores. He had published many articles on branding & strategic marketing, consumer insights and leadership in leading journals, both here and abroad, and had addressed numerous local and international conferences.
The keynote speaker at the inaugural memorial oration occasion, Deshamnya Dr.Mahesh Amalean, the Chairman and Co- Founder of MAS Holdings addressed the audience on the topic “resilience to change – building a legacy brand”.
He emphasized on the importance of building an organization on strong foundations of values such as honesty, integrity, trust, mutual respect and humility and in ensuring that every employee embodied these values and uphold them in all aspects of the business operations.
He stressed on the importance of investing in people and added that empowering employees and encouraging accountability was something Uditha had been passionate about. MAS he said had collaborated with Uditha to introduce the Postgraduate Diploma in Apparel Marketing at CIM and today has a large number of MBA graduates that serve leading companies in the apparel sector at all level of management.
Speaking on staying ahead of the competition Amalean stated that businesses must predict, predesign, prepare and deliver to continually stay ahead of changes which he described as the “cycle of renewal”. He quoted Prof Liyanage’s thoughts on this subject and cited” having a clear vision for the company supported by a robust strategy and a steadfast determination for implementation will enable a company to be successful “
Participated by many leading personalities in the field of marketing and education, who had at some point in time have had close association with Professor Liyanage as a teacher, mentor or an advisor. The full house of attendees at the occasion showcased the impact left by Prof. Liyanage as an unmatchable, exemplary personality that raised the bar of marketing to a new pedestal in the nation.
The event was organized by the Oration Operational Committee headed by Jayalal Hewawasam – President PIM Alumni. The committee consisted of Denzil Perera – Vice President PIM Alumni, Immediate Past President Dinesh Hamangoda, Suranjith Swaris – President SLIM, Dr. Dilhan S. Jayatilleke, and Manthika Ranasinghe – EXCO Members of SLIM and Sanjika Perera – Past President CIM Sri Lanka
The inaugural oration was an idea of the Oration Guidance Committee, which is led by Prof Ajantha Dharmasiri – Director Postgraduate Institute of Management. Founder of SLIM and CIM Sri Lanka region Mr Eardly Perera who guided the oration and the oration organizing committee. Mr Dehan Senevirathna – Past President SLIM, Mr Deepal Sooriyarachchi, Dr Lloyd Fernando were among the members of the oration guidance committee.
The oration will take place again in two years as it’s a biennial oration.
