National Chamber of Commerce holds 66th AGM

From left: Secretary General/CEO Nilupul Chandrasena, Senior Deputy President Kavinda Rajapakse, Deputy President Dr. Lakmal Fernando, Chief Guest Supreme Court of Sri Lanka Justice PC Yasantha Kodagoda, President Anura Warnakulasooriya, Guest of Honour Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Immediate Past President Deepal Nelson, Honorary Secretary Eassuwaren Subramaniam and Honorary Treasurer Chamika Godamanna  

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka last week successfully concluded its 66th Annual General Meeting (AGM), a landmark event that brought together diplomatic missions, Government and non-Government officials, industry leaders, members, and key stakeholders. 

The AGM served as a platform to reflect on the Chamber’s achievements in 2024 and unveil its strategic vision for 2025, with a strong focus on uplifting the MSME sector and enhancing global business engagement.

The theme for the 66th AGM, “Forging Alliances, Multiplying Global Impact,” encapsulated the Chamber’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and fostering economic growth in Sri Lanka. 

The event was graced by Supreme Court of Sri Lanka Justice PC Yasantha Kodagoda as the Chief Guest and Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe as the Guest of Honour. 

NCCSL Outgoing President Deepal Nelson emphasised his achievements during his tenure, highlighting key initiatives undertaken to support businesses and advocate for policy reforms. He expressed his gratitude to the members and stakeholders for their unwavering support and encouraged continued collaboration for a thriving business environment.

At the AGM, our newly elected President Anura Warnakulasooriya, who is also the Managing Director of Midaya Ceramic Co. Ltd., shared his vision for the Chamber’s role in shaping Sri Lanka’s business landscape. He emphasised the importance of innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration in navigating economic challenges and positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive business hub.

During the AGM, Chief Guest Justice Kodagoda delivered an insightful address on “Uniting against corruption and shaping the future.” His speech underscored the critical role of ethical business practices, transparency, and integrity in fostering a sustainable and thriving economy. His message serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility in driving positive change for Sri Lanka’s business landscape.

Guest of Honour of the event, Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, also shared his perspectives on the need for a unified effort between all Chambers and the government to address the critical economic challenges faced by the nation. He emphasised the importance of identifying sectoral strategies to unlock the potential of key industries, ensuring targeted growth and economic resilience.

NCCSL Honorary Treasurer Chamika Godamanna, presented the Chamber’s digital transformation initiatives for 2023/2024, showcasing the successful initiatives under the leadership of outgoing President Deepal Nelson. He highlighted the significance of the ‘fromSriLanka’ platform in taking local products to the global market and invited all foreign missions and the local business community to partner with this initiative to expand Sri Lanka’s product portfolio and attract international buyers. Marked another significant milestone with the launch of the new digital platform for the issuance of Certificates of Origin, with the presence of the Chief Guest Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, the Guest of Honour Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, the newly elected President Anura Warnakulasooriya, and Immediate Past President Deepal Nelson.

Following new Office Bearers were elected at the 66th AGM of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka; President: Anura Warnakulasooriya, Senior Deputy President: Kavinda Rajapaksa, Deputy President: Lakmal Fernando, Honorary Secretary: Eassuwaren Subramaniam, Honorary Treasurer: Chamika Godamanna. Immediate Past President: Deepal Nelson.

As the closing remarks of the 66th AGM, Secretary Eassuwaren Subramaniam emphasised that the National Chamber expresses gratitude to all distinguished invitees/participants, main sponsor BIMT Campus and other sponsors, and supporters who contributed to the success of this milestone event. The Chamber remains committed to driving economic growth, fostering collaboration, and championing the interests of its members.