Ignite Growth: Pathways to Sustainable Economic Growth

Held over two days (22–23 January 2025) at the Lotus Hall, BMICH, “Ignite Growth” was Sri Lanka’s first conference of its kind, building on the momentum of the 2022 Reform Now conference to shift the national conversation from crisis recovery to sustainable, productivity-led growth. Advocata framed the moment as pivotal: with early signs of macroeconomic stabilisation but significant structural challenges still ahead, the conference argued that boosting productivity — through evolving business models, leaner management, and operational reform — was the only realistic path to durable debt sustainability and rising living standards. The programme brought together international and local experts who have guided other economies from crisis to growth, with closed-door sessions designed to translate ideas into a workable reform roadmap. A standout session was a fireside chat with Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, former CEO of Axiata Group, and Prof. Rohan Samarajiva, who discussed leadership and digital transformation in Sri Lanka’s telecommunications sector as a case study in productivity-driven growth. The event also served as a platform to mainstream productivity-enhancing reform ideas across political parties, media, and the public — an agenda Advocata has continued to pursue through its work on a proposed National Productivity Commission.