Ceylon Chamber new Chief Susantha to do ‘what is right and relevant’

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce new Chairman Susantha Ratnayake last night resolved to do what is right and relevant in recreating the country’s premier private sector lobby group to add value to all stakeholders.

Ratnayake, who is also the Chairman and CEO of premier blue chip John Keells Holdings (JKH), took over as the 21st Sri Lankan Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber succeeding Dr. Anura Ekanayake who completed his two year term.

In a brief but forthright acceptance speech Ratnayake said that as the environment around the private sector keeps evolving both internally and externally it was important that the Ceylon Chamber remains relevant to all its stakeholders.

Whilst noting that the Chamber has taken many steps in the past years Ratnayake said much more needs to be done.

“We cannot hide behind traditions nor continue to operate the way we did for many decades,” said the new Chairman of the 172 year old Ceylon Chamber. “It is imperative that we recreate ourselves and add value to our membership without compromising on the principles we stand for,” added Ratnayake whose Committee for the year 2011/12 is full of dynamic young blood.

The Chairman said it was one of the youngest committees in recent times and members are all actively engaged in diverse businesses and therefore have a firsthand feel for what is going on and what is needed at this crucial stage of Sri Lanka’s history.

Ratnayake also urged the membership especially those senior, to support the new leadership team in “doing what we think is right and relevant” in the best interest of the Chamber and its stakeholders.

The Chamber has many committees including one that comprises 10 past chairmen. See Page 14 for the composition of the new committee as well as speeches of Immediate Past Chairman Dr. Ekanayake and Chief Guest World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Diarietou Gaye.

Suresh Shah, Director of Carson Cumberbatch and CEO of Lion Breweries was appointed as the Deputy Chairman and CIC Holdings Managing Director and CEO Samantha Ranatunga as the Deputy Vice Chairman.

In the 172 year history of the Chamber, the early Chairmen were from amongst the British-origin businessmen in Sri Lanka, until Mallory Wijesinghe took over in 1965.