Why does Sri Lanka struggle to tap its agribusiness potential? Sri Lanka Economic Summit to discuss

Thursday, 21 July 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

‘The Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2016’ organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has allocated ‘Session 6’ of the two day event to discuss why the country’s agriculture sector, despite the vast promise, is still punching below its weight.

The session, titled ‘Commercial Agriculture – Tackling the Competitiveness and Political Challenges,’ will accordingly focus on the existing agricultural policies and land-use regulations, the need to invest more in technological innovation and upgrade quality and compliance standards to meet global market needs, etc.

Dr. Romesh Bandaranaike, Chairman of Science Land, and an international economic, financial and power sector consultant for over 30 years, and Desmond Sheehy, Managing Director of Duxton Asset Management, a specialist in investment strategies, will deliver the keynote speeches at this session.

The duo’s speeches would be followed by a panel discussion, which will include the likes of Indira Malwatte, Chairperson of the Export Development Board, Waruna Madawanarachchi, Chief Executive Officer of CIC, Dr. Upali Ranasinghe, Chairman, CR Exports, and Roshan Rajadurai, Managing Director of Kelani Valley Plantations. Dr. Anura Ekanayake, former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, will moderate the session.

Among the panellists, Indira Malwatte is the first woman CEO of the Export Development Board, while Roshan Rajadurai is holding the overall responsibility for the Hayleys Group’s Plantation Sector, Waruna Madawanarachchi of CIC, has been a Deputy Director at the Department of Agriculture, before joining the private sector.

Hayleys PLC and Pyramid Wilmar are platinum sponsors of the Sri Lanka Economic Summit, while Sunshine Holdings and CIC has come forward as the Gold Sponsors of the event. Dialog have sign in as the Silver sponsor and First Capital is the strategic sponsor of the summit. If you wish to reserve a seat for 2 and 3 August event which will be held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, please call on 0115588852 or email to [email protected].

Speakers and Panellists are as follows:

Dr. Romesh Dias Bandaranaike – Chairman, Science Land

Desmond Sheehy – Managing Director, Duxton Asset Management

Indira Malwatte – Chairperson/Chief Executive Officer, Export Development Board

Dr. Upali Ranasinghe – Chairman, CR Exports

Roshan Rajadurai – Managing Director, Kelani Valley Plantation

Waruna Madawanarachchi – Director, CIC Seeds

Dr. Anura Ekanayake – Past Chairman, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce