Seventh AGM of Sri Lanka-France Business Council

The Sri Lanka-France Business Council (SLFBC) which functions under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held its seventh Annual General Meeting at the Taj Hotel recently.

The Council was inaugurated on 4 February 2004 with the primary objective of promoting trade, investment, tourism and services between Sri Lanka and France and to promote mutual understanding and to strengthen the relationships between Sri Lanka and France.  

Ambassador of France Christine Robichon graced the occasion as Chief Guest.  

She thanked the outgoing President Nirmali Samaratunga, Chairperson and Joint Managing Director, Mackwoods Ltd., for her dedicated service to the Council for the past three years. Congratulating the newly elected President and the Committee, Robichon mentioned that the Council could play a leading role to develop economic relationship between the two countries.   

Alstom President Dilipan Tyagarajah was elected as the President of SLFBC for the Year 2011–2012. Tyagarajah expressed his appreciation to the outgoing President and mentioned that he would endeavour to facilitate the increase of trade between Sri Lanka and France in a greater number of sectors.

The two Vice Presidents elected are Hayleys PLC Director Asanka Ratnayake and Noyon Lanka CEO Murad Rajudin. The Committee for the Year 2011–2012 are Associated Motorways Chairman/Managing Director Tilak de Soyza, Carmart Managing Director Senaka Amerasinghe, CMA-CGM Lanka Director Shano Sabar, Delmege Forsyth and Co. Director Navindra Abeysekera, Lafarge Mahaweli Cement Managing Director Anurag Kak and Chairperson and Joint Managing Director, Mackwoods and Immediate Past President – Nirmali Samaratunga Ltd.

French Trade Commission Economic and Commercial Counsellor Jean-Louis Poli, Board of Investment Director Promotions Nilupul De Silva, EU-Sri Lanka Export Development Board Director Jeewani Siriwardena, MAS Holdings Chairman Mahesh Amalean and French Trade Commission Commercial Attaché Shashikala Perera would also serve the Committee by invitation.