Colombo, 01 September 2026 – Dialog Axiata PLC (Dialog), Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications service provider, today announced significant changes to its Board of Directors and key Board Committees, effective 1 September 2026. The move sees the appointment of Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Axiata Group Berhad (AGB), as a Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director.
Strategic Board Appointment and Departure
The appointment of Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil follows the recommendation of the Board Nominations and Governance Committee (BNGC) and was approved by the Board of Directors via Directors’ Circular Resolution No. 20/2026 dated 28 August 2026. He joins the Dialog Board as a nominee director of Axiata Investments (Labuan) Limited (AILL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGB.
This strategic appointment comes as Mr. Vivek Sood, who served as a Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director, concludes his tenure, resigning from the Board of Directors of Dialog with effect from 1 September 2026. Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil effectively steps into Mr. Sood’s previous roles on the Board and its committees.
It is important to note that by virtue of their positions as nominee directors of AILL, both Mr. Vivek Sood and Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil have a Relevant Interest in 6,785,252,765 (73.757%) ordinary shares of Dialog, held by AILL.
Reconfiguration of Board Committees
In addition to his directorial role, Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil has also been appointed as a member of three pivotal Board Committees: the Board Nominations and Governance Committee (BNGC), the Board Remuneration Committee (BRC), and the Board Investment Committee (BIC), replacing Mr. Vivek Sood in all three.
Furthermore, Mr. Thomas Hundt, another Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board Investment Committee (BIC), also effective 1 September 2026, taking over from Mr. Sood.
The updated compositions of the respective committees are as follows:
Board Nominations and Governance Committee (BNGC)
- Dr. Sharmini Coorey – Independent, Non-Executive Director (Chairperson)
- Mr. Vish Govindasamy – Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
- Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil – Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
Board Remuneration Committee (BRC)
- Dr. Sharmini Coorey – Independent, Non-Executive Director (Chairperson)
- Mr. Vish Govindasamy – Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
- Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil – Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
Board Investment Committee (BIC)
- Mr. Thomas Hundt – Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director (Chairman)
- Mr. Tarun Virmani – Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
- Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil – Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
Profile of Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil
Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil brings a wealth of experience, spanning over three decades, across telecommunications, digital infrastructure, investments, capital markets, banking, and corporate finance. As the Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Axiata Group Berhad, he is instrumental in driving Axiata’s strategic direction, performance, and long-term value creation across its diverse markets in ASEAN and South Asia.
Extensive Leadership and Financial Acumen
Prior to his current role, Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil served as the Group Chief Financial Officer of Axiata, gaining extensive exposure to strategic investments, infrastructure financing, digital transformation, and cross-border business operations. This background has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving mobile and digital connectivity industry.
Before joining Axiata, he held the position of Group Chief Financial Officer at RHB Banking Group, overseeing financial strategy, capital management, and regulatory engagement. His career also includes a decade with Khazanah Nasional Berhad as Executive Director, Investments, where he managed investment and portfolio strategies across various sectors, including telecommunications, media, and technology. During his time at Khazanah, he also served on the boards of Telekom Malaysia Berhad and Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad.
Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil commenced his professional journey with the Royal Dutch Shell Group, spending ten years in finance and strategy roles across Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Board Memberships and Qualifications
He currently holds directorships on the boards of several listed and operating companies within the Axiata Group, including CelcomDigi Berhad, PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera Tbk, Robi Axiata PLC, EDOTCO Group Sdn Bhd, PT Link Net Tbk, and Boost Holdings Sdn Bhd. These roles provide him with extensive board-level experience across diverse regulatory and market environments.
Academically, Mr. Nik Rizal Kamil holds an MSc in Finance from London Business School and a BSc in Economics & Accounting from the University of Bristol. Professionally, he is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA).
These changes underscore Dialog Axiata’s commitment to leveraging high-calibre leadership and strategic oversight to navigate the evolving telecommunications landscape and drive sustained growth.
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