Industry Dialogue: Challenges and Opportunities of the Current Energy Crisis

Amid the ongoing energy crisis, how can we build a more secure and sustainable energy future across Sri Lanka’s critical manufacturing sector?

The Accelerating Industries’ Climate Response in Sri Lanka’ project invites representatives from the business community, government, the finance sector and civil society to share their experiences, insights and solutions to this question in the first of a series of Industry Dialogue events. The event will take place from 9:00 –12:30 on 8 December at the Galle Face Hotel.

Introducing the Accelerating Industries’ Climate Response in Sri Lanka’ project

Participants will get the chance to learn more about the new Industries’ Climate Response project. This EU-Funded effort, led by the ministries of environment, industries, power and energy, aims to help Sri Lanka cut greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector by 7 per cent by 2030. Working across emissions reporting, policy, training and finance, the project focuses on reducing industrial energy waste, while boosting the uptake of renewables.

Panel discussion

The event’s centerpiece is a panel discussion moderated by well-known media personality Ms. Savithri Rodrigo. The discussion will feature expert panelists who each bring their unique perspective and the audience will also be invited to ask questions.

Mr. Ranga Pallawala, Commonwealth National Climate Finance Advisor for Belize

Passionate about a fossil-free future, Mr. Pallawala has dedicated his career to socially responsible, green business and sustainable development, working extensively in Sri Lanka and internationally. Having worked in a technical capacity on climate change and renewables, he believes that climate finance is a critical tool for unlocking a fossil-free future. He is currently advising the Government of Belize in this area and attended the 2022 global climate talks in Egypt as part of this country’s delegation.

Ms. Ishani Palliyaguru, Vice President, Project Finance and Corporate Credit Control at National Development Bank PLC

With qualifications in science, business and accounting, Ms. Palliyaguru has decades of experience in the banking sector. She leads NDB’s project financing work and has won accolades both at home and abroad for the bank’s pioneering contribution to domestic and offshore project financing. She is particularly passionate about sustainable development financing as a key tool for achieving energy security in Sri Lanka and addressing climate change.

Mr. Harsha Wickramasinghe, Deputy Director General, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority

Mr. Wickramasinghe was one of the architects of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority. As the governing body responsible for pioneering the sustainable energy revolution in Sri Lanka, he is at the forefront of helping the nation transition away from fossil-fuels. Having worked with private sector organizations and the government, Mr. Wickramasinghe has provided professional services to many international organizations, including the United Nations, using his extensive experience in energy policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy development and project financing.

Mr Mahendra S Jayalath, Chief Executive Officer at EnergySolve International

Mr. Jayalath is a seasoned energy consultant, with over twenty years of experience working on a wide range of energy efficiency and infrastructure projects. He has worked internationally with USAID, the Asian Development Bank and private sector companies as well as in Sri Lanka. His areas of expertise include the development of green building and certification, energy efficiency program implementation and ESCO activity development. He is also experienced in consensus building and training.

Dr. Nishan de Mel, Executive Director and Head of Research of Verité Research

Dr. de Mel is an economist with extensive academic, policy, and private sector experience. He has been a Member of the Presidential Task Force on Health Sector Reform, Presidential Committee on Tobacco, Alcohol and Dangerous Drug Regulation, and the National Steering Committee on Social Security. He has also served as the Executive Director of the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) and on the Board of the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, among others. Internationally, Nishan has held several governing, teaching, and research positions, including as Lecturer in Economics at the University of Oxford, UK.

Mr. Keerthi Gunawardane, President, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries in Sri Lanka

With qualifications in accounting, economics, engineering and multimedia technology, Mr. Gunawardane is well known for having led key changes that enabled Sri Lanka’s printing industry to boost product quality and exports as president of the Sri Lanka Association of Printers. He is a leading light in Sri Lanka’s business community, having served in numerous high-profile roles including as chairman of International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka. He took the helm at the Federation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sri Lanka in October 2022 as the country recovers from COVID and faces its biggest economic crisis.

Networking opportunity

Following the discussion, participants will be invited for lunch and to network with each other. This networking opportunity will allow participants to make new connections, share and learn from each other.

Join the Energy Savers

Every transformational story needs people who will take on a challenge, run with it and make change happen. Sri Lanka’s Energy Savers are exactly that: courageous industry leaders and energy practitioners determined to help the country slash industries’ energy waste and GHG emissions. Throughout the event, participants will be invited to meet the first 5 Energy Savers and to nominate others to be showcased as part of this unique and growing campaign.

In summary

WHO:

The Accelerating Industries’ Climate Response in Sri Lanka project Led by Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Industries , Ministry of Power and Energy Implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Funded by the European Union

WHAT:

Industry Dialogue Event Bringing together business, government, finance sector and civil society

WHERE:

Galle Face Hotel

WHEN:

8 December, 2022 From 9am –12:30pm

AGENDA:

Opening remarks
Short project presentation
Group Photo
Panel discussion and Q&A
Networking opportunity and Lunch
Ongoing photo exhibition

For further information please contact: Jagathdeva Vidanagama at J.VIDANAGAMA@unido.org, or visit our web page: https://www.industrialenergyaccelerator.org/where-we-work/sri-lanka/

Accelerating Industries Climate Response in Sri Lanka