In a historic first for Sri Lanka, business leader Nazri Nizar has been elected to the global board of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), becoming the first Sri Lankan to secure a position on the governing body in the organisation’s 76-year history.

The appointment was confirmed at YPO’s Annual General Meeting on 21 May 2026. Nizar will serve as a Global Board Director from 2026 to 2029 while also taking on the role of Chair of the YPO Global Forum Committee.

Founded in 1950, YPO is a global leadership network comprising more than 38,000 chief executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders across 150 countries. Collectively, its members lead organisations generating approximately US$9 trillion in annual revenue.

Nizar’s election follows years of service within the organisation, including leadership roles as Chapter Chair of the YPO Colombo Integrated Chapter, a member of the YPO South Asia Regional Board, and most recently, a member of the YPO Global Forum Committee.

Commenting on the appointment, Nizar said YPO had played a defining role in his leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, trusted relationships, and personal growth through shared experiences.

He described the appointment as both humbling and inspiring and expressed hope that the achievement would encourage more Sri Lankan leaders to engage with global platforms and contribute to international leadership discussions.

Nizar currently serves as Group Managing Director of Richardson Holdings, which has interests in engineering, infrastructure, renewable energy, manufacturing, and out-of-home advertising.

His election is widely seen as a significant milestone for Sri Lankan business leadership and reflects the growing presence and influence of Sri Lankan executives within international leadership networks.