Sri Lanka Food Processors Association holds 27th Annual General Meeting

Wednesday, 6 November 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) held its 27th Annual General Meeting on 4 October 2024 at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, Colombo, amidst a gathering of its members. Founded in 1997 as an advocacy group, SLFPA currently consists of over 140 member companies, including large multinationals as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) committed to the development of the country’s processed food and beverage industry.

The event featured a keynote speech by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chief of Economic Policy Advocacy Sheran Fernando. In his speech, he focused on “Sri Lanka’s economic outlook, IMF & debt restructuring, and the role of Sri Lanka’s Food Processors Association.”

SLFPA President Thusith Wijesinghe, also delivered a speech in which he acknowledged all past presidents and admired their contributions in bringing the association to its current level. The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association comprises 20 members. At the event, a new committee was appointed for the years 2025/2026, which includes:

President: Thusith Wijesinghe (Transcontinental Packaging & Commodities Ltd.)
Secretary: Hemantha Balasuriya (Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka)
Treasurer: Sanjeewa De Silva (Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd.)
Immediate Past President: Delano Dias (Cargills Quality Foods former CEO)
President Elect: Aruna Senanayake (C.W. Mackie PLC)
1st Vice President: Nadishan Guruge (Mead Lee Trading Co. Ltd.)
2nd Vice President: Vasantha Chandrapala (Vishvaka Marketing Ltd.)
3rd Vice President: Rasika Senavirathna (Diesel & Motor Engineering Ltd.)
Assistant Secretary: Deepal De Alwis (Neochem International Ltd.)
Assistant Treasurer: Dineth Alahakoon (Country Style Food Ltd.)

In addition to the above office bearers, the association includes 10 executive members:

Nirosh Lalantha (Ceylon Cold Stores)
Sheran De Alwis (Ma’s Tropical Food Processing Ltd.)
Damitha Perera (Forbes & Walker Commodity Brokers Ltd.)
Sameera Jayathilaka (Westmann Engineering Ltd.)
Kolitha Amarasinghe (SGS Lanka Ltd.)
Niroshan Dalpethado (C.D. De Fonseka & Sons Ltd.)
Amila Weerasinghe (Nestle Lanka Ltd.)
Thusitha Ekanayake (Anods Cocoa Ltd.)
Praharshi Wickramasekara (International Commodity Traders Ltd.)
Ruwan Kumara (Fonterra Brands Lanka Ltd.)

Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd. and Bureau Veritas were the main sponsors for the event. The Secretary Hemantha Balasuriya, delivered the vote of thanks, and the event concluded with a cocktail party and fellowship networking session.