Business Impact Forum
Prof. Dr. R. K. Srivastava
Emeritus Professor
Throughout his academic career, Prof. Srivastava has played a vital role in mentoring the next generation of business leaders. He has taught specialized courses in Brand Management, Services Marketing, B2B Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Business Research Methodology, and Market Research. As a respected Ph.D. guide at the University of Mumbai, he has guided numerous doctoral candidates, demonstrating a strong commitment to academic excellence and thought leadership.
His dual background in science and management holding a Ph.D. in Marketing, an M.Sc. in Biochemistry, a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, and a Diploma in Advanced Management has given him a unique interdisciplinary perspective. Prof. Srivastava's professional journey includes over 30 years of industry experience and 19 years in academia. This blend of corporate and academic exposure enriches his classroom discussions and research outputs, bringing both theoretical foundations and real-world applications to life.
Prof. Rajesh Srivastava, an Emeritus Professor, is a distinguished authority in the fields of Marketing, International Business, and Research. With a rich academic legacy, Prof. Srivastava has authored over 210 research papers and published 17 books, making an indelible mark on the scholarly community.
Throughout his academic career, Prof. Srivastava has played a vital role in mentoring the next generation of business leaders. He has taught specialized courses in Brand Management, Services Marketing, B2B Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Business Research Methodology, and Market Research. As a respected Ph.D. guide at the University of Mumbai, he has guided numerous doctoral candidates, demonstrating a strong commitment to academic excellence and thought leadership.
His dual background in science and management holding a Ph.D. in Marketing, an M.Sc. in Biochemistry, a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, and a Diploma in Advanced Management has given him a unique interdisciplinary perspective. Prof. Srivastava's professional journey includes over 30 years of industry experience and 19 years in academia. This blend of corporate and academic exposure enriches his classroom discussions and research outputs, bringing both theoretical foundations and real-world applications to life.
Ms. Li San Lim
Group Chief Operating Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC
Li San is the Group Chief Operating Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka's Leading Quad-Play Connectivity Provider. She currently also sits on the Board of Dialog Finance PLC, the FinTech arm of Dialog Axiata PLC and one of Sri Lanka’s digital finance pioneers.
Li San has been with the Axiata Group of Companies since 2015, with experience spanning across strategy, corporate planning, portfolio management and finance. Prior to joining Dialog, her last position was as Group Head of Business Operations of Axiata Group Berhad, where she was responsible for portfolio performance management and board governance of all its operating companies. Within this role, she represented Axiata for the integration planning of the largest telecom merger in Malaysia, CelcomDigi Berhad, and subsequently served as its Investment Manager. Additionally, she led the initial post-acquisition integration of PT LinkNet Tbk, a fixed broadband player in Indonesia. She was also a Non-Executive Director and Board Audit Committee Member at Smart Axiata Co. Ltd., the leading mobile service provider in Cambodia. Before joining Axiata, Li San spent the formative years of her career with British AmericanTobacco.
Mr. Janaka Rathnakumara
Chief Operating Officer of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd
Mr. Janaka Rathnakumara is a seasoned corporate leader and strategic visionary, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. Recognized among Sri Lanka’s foremost business executives, he brings over a decade of senior management experience, with a proven track record in strategic planning, operational excellence, productivity enhancement, and sustainable business transformation.
Awarded ‘Best COO of the Year’ in 2024, Mr. Rathnakumara has been instrumental in redefining operational strategy and innovation within the media industry. His association with Wijeya Newspapers began in 2014, where he initially served as Chief Operations Officer/General Manager. After a successful tenure, he was appointed Chairman of the State Printing Corporation (2020–2022), where he delivered historic results, including achieving the organization’s highest-ever annual turnover (LKR 1.89 billion) and the production of 14.6 million school textbooks in a single year.
Under his leadership, SPC secured international accreditations such as ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14051:2011, introduced Sri Lanka’s first augmented reality-enabled exercise books, and transitioned to the country’s first sustainable green printing facility.A Chartered Engineer and Chartered Environmental Professional, Mr. Rathnakumara is deeply committed to operational excellence, embedding global best practices like 5S and Kaizen into corporate culture.
