Sri Lanka Edition of ‘Essentials of Modern Marketing’ Launched, Honouring 22 Iconic Local Brands
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The Sri Lanka edition of Essentials of Modern Marketing (EOMM), authored by globally renowned marketing guru Prof. Philip Kotler,was officially launched on 22 August at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo. The milestone event, organised in collaboration with Kotler Impact Inc. and Deyo Consultancy and Advisory, marked the country’s first inclusion in Kotler’s globally celebrated series of country-specific editions, positioning Sri Lanka’s vibrant brand ecosystem on the international stage.
The evening was a celebration not only of Sri Lanka’s marketing progress but also of the remarkable brands and visionaries who have shaped its business landscape. Over 20 Sri Lankan brand case studies feature in this edition, providing global recognition for homegrown success stories.
Open University of Sri Lanka Professor of Management Studies, Prof. Nalin Abeysekera, set the tone for the evening with a knowledge filled keynote speech on Sri Lanka’s marketing potential. He emphasised the need for the country to diversify beyond its traditional exports of tea, coconut, and garments, urging businesses to embrace the emerging opportunities of the global creative economy, which includes music, film, and publishing. He lamented that Sri Lanka’s creative potential remains largely untapped, pointing to instances where local successes failed to achieve international recognition due to insufficient branding. Using the example of a Sri Lankan song that reached hundreds of millions of views online but did not become a global sensation, he stressed that this was a reminder of the nation’s struggle to market its achievements to the world. Prof. Abeysekera described the Sri Lanka edition of Essentials of Modern Marketing as a “historical event” that would inspire the country to adopt global best practices, unlock the potential of its creative industries, and elevate sectors such as tourism.
Republic of Indonesia Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing, the Chief Guest for the evening, spoke passionately about the intersection of marketing principles and modern diplomacy. Drawing from her academic background in management and business administration, she explained that diplomacy is itself a form of marketing and that the principles she learned in business have been instrumental to her diplomatic career. She described herself as “a marketer of my government,” working tirelessly to foster meaningful collaborations between Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Ambassador Tobing also shared insights on Indonesia’s projected growth, predicting that the country will be among the world’s top five economies by 2045, and encouraged Sri Lanka to leverage bilateral trade and investment opportunities to fuel its own development.
Kotler Impact CEO Sadia Kibria spoke next, expressing her gratitude to the companies that contributed to this landmark edition of the book. She described marketing as more than a business tool, calling it “a catalyst for positive social change” that, when applied with wisdom and integrity, can create value and solve real-world problems. She praised Sri Lanka’s vibrant entrepreneurial culture, its resilient spirit, and the creativity of its people, declaring that the country was ready to welcome not only global corporations but also bold start-ups and innovators. Kibria reflected on the book’s global journey, which began with its first launch in Italy in 2021, followed by editions in several other countries. With plans to publish 45 editions worldwide featuring more than 700 brands, she celebrated the inclusion of over 20 Sri Lankan brands in this latest edition. She also announced the upcoming Kotler Awards and Kotler Business School initiatives, which will bring innovative learning opportunities to Sri Lankan students, and revealed that a second Sri Lanka edition of Essentials of Modern Marketing is expected by January 2026.
Joining the event virtually, Prof. Philip Kotler congratulated Sri Lanka on this milestone and shared his vision for the book as a guide to navigating today’s rapidly evolving marketing landscape. He explained that Essentials of Modern Marketing integrates operational and strategic approaches, making it accessible while remaining deeply rooted in theory. He emphasised that marketing is about more than selling products; it is about building a better future through innovation, partnerships, and a global perspective. Kotler highlighted emerging themes such as health marketing, disruptive innovation, and negotiation strategies, urging Sri Lankan businesses to embrace creativity and long-term thinking in an era of rapid digitalisation and disruption.
The highlight of the evening was the recognition of 22 Sri Lankan brands that have redefined industries and placed the country on the global map. Each organisation was celebrated for its innovation, resilience, and leadership, and their representatives were invited to the stage to receive certificates of recognition, accompanied by videos and visuals showcasing their journeys.
Among the honourees was the Ampark Foundation, led by Asanka Wittachchy, which was recognised for pioneering a climate change risk mitigation model that has gained international acceptance and is now being implemented in Sri Lanka to safeguard the environment for future generations. The legendary musical duo Bathiya and Santhush, widely known as BNS, were honoured for their transformative contributions to Sri Lanka’s music industry, winning global awards and connecting generations through a distinctive modern-traditional musical approach. Ceylinco Life Insurance was celebrated for commanding market leadership for 21 consecutive years and revolutionising the life insurance sector by introducing loyalty schemes that provide tangible benefits to policyholders during their lifetimes. Cinnamon Grand Colombo, under the leadership of General Manager Kamal Munasinghe, was recognised for excellence in hospitality, winning awards for best five-star hotel and delivering authentic cultural experiences through attractions like Nuga Gama.
The Colombo School of Research and Psychology (CIRP), led by Dr. Darshana Perera, was celebrated as the first dedicated psychology education institute in Sri Lanka to achieve international recognition despite facing numerous challenges. Hemas Consumer Brands’ flagship oral care brand Clogard was applauded for capturing a third of the oral care market by standing up to multinational giants and diversifying its product range. Derana TV, represented by Director and GM of Marketing Thushara Perera, was recognised for its innovative approach to media, successfully maintaining market leadership while preserving Sri Lanka’s cultural values. Insee Sanstha Cement was acknowledged for introducing sustainable practices and setting new standards in Sri Lanka’s construction sector, while Lady J, represented by the Wijeratne family, was honoured for its Enabler-Activator model, which allowed the company to overcome pandemic-related challenges and create meaningful community development initiatives.
Macktiles, represented by Ahmed Shafee and Mizha Mizver Ismail of Macksons Holdings, was praised for revolutionising the tile industry by adding artistry and lifestyle appeal to a traditionally commodity-driven market. Ninewells Hospital, represented by Dr. Vibath Wijeratna, was recognised for being Sri Lanka’s first large-scale maternity and childcare hospital, setting industry benchmarks that even government hospitals now follow. Olu Water, Sri Lanka’s first premium bottled water brand created by Amal de Silva Wijeyeratne, was celebrated as a symbol of national pride and a milestone in local branding. Power Hands Plantations, led by Dr. Prabath Kulasinghe and Sharon Ludwick, was acknowledged for its triple bottom line approach, proving that profitability, employee welfare, and environmental stewardship can thrive together.
Prime Group’s co-chairs, Premalal Brahmanage and Sandamali Perera, were recognised for building Sri Lanka’s most trusted property brand and taking it international, while Rockland Colombo Gin and Ceylon Arrack, also led by Amal de Silva Wijeyeratne, were celebrated for maintaining a legacy in spirits while positioning Ceylon Arrack as a premium global product. Sampath Bank was honoured for introducing pioneering banking innovations, from ATMs to touchless cash systems, solidifying its status as a technology leader. The SANASA Movement, founded by Dr. P.A. Kiriwandeniya, was celebrated as a global sociopreneurship model that empowers communities and demonstrates the potential of cooperative systems. Sunquick, under Managing Director Mangala Perera, was recognised for repositioning itself as a mass-market brand, supported by creative campaigns that increased its market share.
SLIIT, led by President and CEO Prof. Lalith Gamage, was praised for building an international education hub offering affordable, world-class qualifications to Sri Lankan students. Sri Lanka Cricket was recognised for successfully branding cricket as a national asset, elevating women’s cricket, and implementing grassroots development strategies. Finally, Watawala Tea, led by Anuruddha Aluvihare, was celebrated for challenging multinational dominance, growing into a trusted household name through indigenous marketing strategies and local insight.
Denzil Perera, National Representative of Kotler Impact and Founder of Deyo Consultancy and Advisory, described the book’s launch as a “historic step in elevating Sri Lanka’s marketing narrative.” He explained that while global marketing literature has traditionally focused on case studies from Europe and North America, this edition gives well-deserved attention to Asian and Sri Lankan brands. Reflecting on his own journey, Perera shared that featuring Sri Lankan brands in a global publication had been a lifelong dream. He praised the resilience and creativity of the featured brands, many of which have overcome economic challenges to emerge as industry leaders.
Perera also highlighted Sri Lanka’s annual celebration of National Marketing Day, which he introduced in 2022 on Prof. Philip Kotler’s birthday, emphasising that this launch was a tribute to Kotler’s enduring contributions to global marketing thought. The evening concluded with a toast to the “Father of Modern Marketing” and the presentation of the first copies of Essentials of Modern Marketing Sri Lanka edition to brand representatives, symbolising a new era of recognition for Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial and marketing achievements on the global stage. The launch event drew a distinguished audience of business leaders, academics, and policymakers. Among the esteemed guests were Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, who graced the occasion as Guest of Honour; Senior Professor Ajantha Dharmasiri of the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM); and Mrs.Taniya Abeysundara, Chairperson of Ceylon United Business Alliance (CUBA), all of whom joined to celebrate this milestone moment for Sri Lanka’s marketing and business community.
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