Ruwan Edirisinghe elected as new CNCI Chairman

Outgoing Chairman Raja Hewabowala (left) traditionally garlanding the new Chairman Ruwan Edirisinghe (right) on his election as the Chairman CNCI at the AGM. CNCI Vice Chairman Kevin Edwards is also present

The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI) had its 58th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 3 October at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo. The Chief Guest was National Consumer Affairs Authority of Sri Lanka Chairman Deshabandu Dr. Lalith N. Senaweera. Ruwan Edirisinghe who has been the Deputy Chairman was elected as the new Chairman of the CNCI at the AGM.

Ruwan Edirisinghe is an entrepreneur behind one of the Sri Lanka’s most successful homegrown group of companies ‘RN Group’ which is into construction industry. He has been graduated as a Civil Engineer from the University of Peradeniya followed by his Post Graduate Diploma in Construction Management from the University of Moratuwa.  

After graduation, he has started his business by registering RN Constructions Ltd. in 1996, which has gradually been expanded over a period of two decades with his backward integration in establishing over 10 manufacturing factories under RN Group, which includes Branded Steel Buildings, total range of Steel Building Products, Ready Mix Concrete and Cement product manufacturing.

Edirisinghe is holding the coveted office of the President of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) – the apex body of SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL). He is also a Council Member of Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) and a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

On election as the Chairman of the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries – the pioneering chamber for industries in the country, Edirisinghe said that being a national Chamber, we are responsible for representing the industrial sector and to take all possible measures to protect the local industries.  

He further said that many of the local industries including the Construction Industry are currently facing threats and challenges owing to various reasons such as playing of foreign giants in the local market, high cost of material imports etc.  

He was also of the view that the Sri Lankan industry needs development in operational efficiency for which the Government and other institutional support is necessary. Being the Chairman of the Ceylon National Chamber of industries he assured his fullest dedication in his service to the industrial sector in the country.

Outgoing Chairman Raja Hewabowala, presenting the ‘Chairman’s Review’ mentioned that during the past few decades, the Sri Lankan industry had to face a lot of challenges due to various reasons. The 30-year war was among the main reasons for our draw backs. Now even with a peaceful atmosphere, a conducive environment cannot be seen for industries. The Government is also striving in taking measures to develop the private sector in the country.  

With all such supportive environment, taking into consideration of the trends, we should determine that the export oriented economy with innovation and the high technology should be the strategic theme of today’s industry. 

Today, we witness friendly foreign policies with gaining of GSP Plus facilities and the Government is encouraging measures to attract Foreign Direct Investors (FDIs) which have become opportunities for the local industrialists, especially for emerging businesses. However, it is the stand of the CNCI that the BOI laws need amendments for foreign investments in Sri Lanka in a manner that the local industries are not affected.

He further said that the local manufacturers are facing various challenges owing to competition, natural disasters, labour issues, environmental issues, social and political issues etc. The situation has been aggravated by the Easter Sunday tragic incidents and the continued increase of the dollar rate against the rupee since our imports are significantly higher than to that of the exports.  

He finally thanked all the Management Committee and Executive Council Members for their supportive hands given to him and requested the same assistance be extended to the new Chairman.