Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the national body for marketing in Sri Lanka, proudly held its Annual Certification Ceremony on 14th August 2025 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), where more than 1,500 students were awarded certificates across a spectrum of professional marketing and business programs. The grand occasion not only celebrated academic and professional accomplishments but also reaffirmed SLIM’s role as the country’s leading institution for elevating marketing education, research, and industry practice.
The ceremony recognised the achievements of students who had successfully completed qualifications such as the Professional Certificate in Marketing (PCM), the Certificate in Digital Marketing (CDM), Professional Certificate in Marketing (Sinhala and Tamil batches), Certificate in Agri Business Management and Entrepreneurship and the Business and Professional English (BPE) program. Reflecting SLIM’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in education, the Professional Certificate in Marketing was also offered in Sinhala and Tamil, ensuring that students from diverse linguistic backgrounds could advance their careers in marketing. Importantly, the best-performing students from the PCM (English and Sinhala streams), CDM, BPE programs and Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management prize winners were specially recognised with certificates of distinction and medals to honour their outstanding achievements. This initiative underscored SLIM’s dedication to celebrating merit and nurturing future leaders in the marketing profession.
The event was held in the presence of an esteemed audience, including Chief Guest Dr. K. A. Lalithadheera, Director General and CEO of the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), and Guest of Honour Dr. Roshan Fernando, General Manager – Marketing at Derana Media Network and a Past President of SLIM. They were joined by SLIM President Prof. (Dr.) Dewasiri N. Jayantha, along with members of the governing council, education committees, faculty, corporate partners, and representatives from the wider marketing industry. Their presence reflected the strong partnerships SLIM has cultivated across academia, business, and government to advance the marketing profession both locally and internationally.
Addressing the gathering, SLIM President Prof. (Dr.) Dewasiri N. Jayantha emphasised the role of certification in bridging academic learning with real-world business application. He noted that while students had completed rigorous coursework, what they were truly gaining was not just a certificate but a pathway to influence, innovation, and meaningful impact in their respective fields. Highlighting SLIM’s expanding regional footprint, he spoke of the Institute’s initiatives in the Maldives, where SLIM is actively supporting the creation of a national marketing association and offering its own courses.
He also reiterated SLIM’s commitment to empowering the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in Sri Lanka, citing ongoing collaborations with the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development aimed at training more than 30,000 development officers to strengthen small businesses island wide. “This certification is more than a piece of paper; it is a passport to creating impact. SLIM has consistently worked to provide students with an education that is both practical and visionary. Your achievement today is a step into a future where you will not only build brands and careers but also contribute meaningfully to our nation’s growth,” he said.
Chief Guest Dr. K. A. Lalithadheera, in his address, underscored the transformative power of marketing in shaping industries, businesses, and society at large. He called on Certificate Holders to view their qualifications not as an endpoint but as the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning and innovation. “SLIM has always gone beyond simply teaching theory; it empowers students to apply their learning in practical, meaningful ways. Marketing, at its core, is the pulse of progress. A product or service becomes relevant only when it resonates with people’s needs and values. Your role as marketers is not just to promote, but to understand behaviour, to create authentic value, and to build trust that lasts. As you receive your certificates today, remember that you are stepping into a profession that has the power to redefine industries and transform lives,” he said.
Guest of Honour Dr. Roshan Fernando offered reflections on SLIM’s enduring contribution to the marketing profession. As a Past President of SLIM, he spoke of the Institute’s pivotal role in setting benchmarks for ethical and professional standards while serving as a bridge between academia and industry. He noted that SLIM has continually evolved to remain relevant, shaping not just education but also national policy and industry best practices. “As someone who has had the honour of serving as SLIM President, it is a privilege to witness the institute’s continued evolution. SLIM has always been more than an academic body; it is the architect of marketing education in Sri Lanka, the guardian of ethical standards, and the bridge between academia and industry. Today, SLIM’s influence extends beyond classrooms, it shapes national policies, industry standards, and builds trust in the marketing profession. To all certificate holders, you are becoming part of a tradition that values integrity, innovation, and leadership,” he said.
This year’s ceremony also reflected SLIM’s deep engagement with the corporate sector. A total of 14 recipients from Pepsi, 15 from Fashion Bug, and 16 from Wesley College successfully completed the Professional Certificate in Marketing (PCM) & Certificate in Digital Marketing (CDM) courses. These achievements highlighted SLIM’s reputation as a trusted training partner for leading corporates and educational institutions that continue to invest in professional development. By aligning its curriculum with the evolving needs of the industry, SLIM ensures that its certifications remain relevant, practical, and impactful, thereby enhancing the employability and career progression of its graduates.
SLIM Vice President – Education and Research, Dr. Dilhan Sampath Jayatilleke, reiterated SLIM’s dedication to academic excellence and its commitment to advancing thought leadership within the marketing discipline. He emphasised the importance of research-driven education and curriculum innovation in preparing graduates for future challenges. “Education is never static. At SLIM, we continually evolve our curriculum and teaching methods to ensure you gain the skills needed to meet both current and future challenges in the industry. Our commitment to research-driven education allows us to anticipate trends, address gaps, and prepare you to be adaptable, innovative, and impactful professionals. This certificate is just the beginning; lifelong learning will be the cornerstone of your success,” he said.
SLIM Vice President – Events and Sustainability Projects, Mr. Enoch Perera, highlighted the growing importance of embedding sustainability into marketing education and practice. He urged students to take responsibility as future professionals in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable economy. “Today’s marketers cannot operate in isolation from society’s biggest challenges. At SLIM, we have embedded sustainability into our programs because we believe marketing must contribute to creating businesses that are not only profitable but also responsible. As you move forward in your careers, I urge you to take up the mantle of creating campaigns, products, and strategies that make a difference, not just in markets, but in the communities and environments around us,” he said.
For students, the certification ceremony was a deeply meaningful occasion that marked the culmination of months or even years of dedication, sacrifice, and ambition. Families, mentors, and colleagues who joined in the celebration made the atmosphere even more memorable, adding to the pride and joy of the day. The event blended the solemnity of an academic convocation with the energy of a festive gathering, featuring inspiring speeches, the traditional academic procession and the SLIM Anthem. Each certificate awarded represented not only an individual achievement but also the collective spirit of resilience, ambition, and collaboration that defines SLIM’s learning community.
The success of the Certification Ceremony 2025 reaffirmed SLIM’s role as a catalyst for professional growth, ethical practice, and marketing innovation in Sri Lanka. By producing over 1,500 newly certified professionals in diverse streams, SLIM once again demonstrated its impact in shaping the future of the profession while contributing to national development. Beyond academic credentials, the ceremony served as a powerful reminder of SLIM’s broader vision: that marketing is not merely a career path, but a dynamic force for social, cultural, and economic transformation.
With a strong presence at SLIM Home, and the SLIM Business Schools in Colombo, Matara, and Kandy, SLIM has already established itself as a truly national institution, and with further growth on the horizon, its reach and impact are set to deepen even further. From classrooms to corporate boardrooms, from local initiatives to regional partnerships, SLIM continues to expand its influence, redefine excellence, and inspire the next generation of marketers to lead with purpose.
