For the first time in Sri Lanka, Young Global Leaders event of the World Economic Forum was held from 16-18th February 2016. The event was a great success according to the partic-ipants. There were thirty Young Global Leaders who participated from South Asian countries for this event, the “South Asia Bridge Initiative(SABI)”. The conference was focused on improving and strengthening relationship among South Asian countries and implementing action oriented initiatives to uplift the lives of less privileged in the region.

During the visit they interacted with Hon.Ranil Wickramasinghe Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. The interaction was moderated by Mr.Asanga Abeyagoonasekera the Young Global Leader from Sri Lanka who organised the event. Young Global Leaders congratulated on the new economic reforms introduced by Prime Minister and discussed economic and political challenges of the country and the region. During the discussion a Young Global Leaders Advisory Council to assist Prime Minister was initiated.

The Young Global Leaders was invited to Ministry of Finance by Hon.Ravi Karunanayaka and they also visited Ministry of Defence for an interaction with Mr.Hettiarachi Secretary of Defence and other distinguished military officers to understand the post conflict challenges of the country. They also visited Chamber of commerce and participated for a cultural evening arranged by Ministry of Tourism.

Young Global Leaders include worlds top individuals from all walks of life which include Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergei Brin, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg,Leonardo DiCaprio, Anderson Cooper, Farhan Akhtar, Queen Mathilde of Belgium,Lera Auerbach, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, Prime Minister David Camer-on,Enrique Peña Nieto President of Mexico and many more from diverse fields of expertise.