Lanka Coffee Association new team sets promising course for industry’s future

From left: Helanta Coffee Treasurer Tharanga Muramudali, Elpitiya Plantations Vice President M.I. Izzadeen, Tree of Life ExCo Member Shelton Thenuwara, Colombo Coffee Company Chairperson Kushan Samararatne, Aga Coffee ExCo Member Najee Suraj, Upcountry Brothers ExCo Member Asanka Kangana

New Chairperson Kushan Samararatne

The Lanka Coffee Association (LCA), Sri Lanka’s only national coffee association in promoting and advancing the coffee sector in Sri Lanka, recently concluded its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Taj Samudra, Colombo.

It brought together key stakeholders, industry experts, and coffee enthusiasts to deliberate on the state of the coffee sector and chart a course for its sustainable growth and development.

The AGM proved to be a significant gathering, attracting a diverse audience including coffee growers, exporters, importers, processors, researchers, and cafes. This year’s AGM aimed not only to reflect on the accomplishments and challenges faced by the association and the industry in the past year but also to set a robust agenda for the year ahead.

The outgoing Chairperson Rinosh Nasar expressed his gratitude for the collective efforts of all stakeholders and their commitment to the industry’s growth. He remarked, “The Annual General Meeting serves as a testament to the dedication and unity within the coffee community. With a shared vision, we are confident in our ability to navigate challenges and seize opportunities that lie ahead.”

A new Executive Committee was appointed at the AGM with Kushan Samararatne (Colombo Coffee Company) taking over as the Chairperson and Ashane Perera (J. M. Robertson and Co.) being appointed as the Secretary. 

M.I. Izzadeen (Elpitiya Plantations) and Tharanga Muramudali (Helanta Coffee) continue for another term as the Vice President and Treasurer respectively. The Executive Committee members for the year 2023/24 also consist of Shelton Thenuwara (Tree of Life), Asanka Kangana (Upcountry Brothers), and Najee Suraj (Aga Coffee).

New Chairperson Kushan Samararatne said: “The LCA has quite undoubtedly left a mark on the sector and has now established itself as a key player in the industry. The next year will be focused on uplifting the sector by further developing the Sri Lankan Coffee identity on a global stage through our various flagship events such as the Coffee Festival and also serving as a collective voice in advocating for the proper policy frameworks to be established both on a state and private sector level to ensure Sri Lankan coffee is of the highest quality and is able to meet the growing international market requirements.”

The successful conclusion of the AGM marks a significant milestone for the Lanka Coffee Association and the broader coffee industry in Sri Lanka. The Association said it remains steadfast in its mission to foster a sustainable, innovative, and globally competitive coffee sector.