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Seated from left: Vice President Sanjeewa Perera, High Commissioner of Maldives Ali Faiz, President Sudesh Mendis, Immediate past president Kevin Edwards, Committee member Bandula Egodage, Secretary Amanthi Silva
Standing (Committee members): M.L. Wickramasinghe, Roshan Perera, Farih Fazal, Gayan Maddumarachchi, K. John M.S. Fernando, Lakdinie Chathurika representing Treasurer, J.A.L.S. Jayasinghe
Not in the photo: Vice President Suranga Ratnayake, Committee Member Kingsley Abeywickrama
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Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council President Sudesh Mendis
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The 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sri Lanka - Maldives Business Council (SLMLBC), The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held on Thursday, 17 August 2023, at Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo. The High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Ali Faiz graced the event as the chief guest, with Ceylon Tours Managing Director Suren Ediriweera attending as a guest speaker for the evening.
Kevin Edwards, who served as the outgoing President of the Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council for 2022-2023, opened the meeting with an insightful speech, during which he discussed his continued efforts on behalf of the council. A major focus of his speech was the statistical analysis of how certain economic and political constraints that Sri Lanka has encountered over the past few years have adversely affected vital industries that contribute to revenue generation. Nonetheless, he noted that the business relationship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives has significantly improved, which bodes well for the future, especially in the tourism sector.
In his final remarks, he expressed his sympathy for the devastating events that plagued Sri Lanka, particularly in 2019, when the country was brought to its knees by the Easter Attack, followed by 2020, when the Pandemic had compelled the country to adapt to the new normal, despite the tragic loss of hundreds of thousands of lives.
Today, although the country is still struggling to recover from the crippling economic crisis, Edwards remains optimistic about the people’s ability to emerge from this crisis unscathed. The ongoing President concluded his speech by thanking the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and staff for their assistance and expressing his gratitude for the privilege of serving as President of the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council for the year 2022/2023 with utmost grace and dignity.
The newly elected Committee of the Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council is as follows:
n Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council for 2023/2024 President and Ocean Trade and Logistics Services, OTL Fertiliser Pvt Ltd, Ocean Trade and Logistics Dubai, Managing Director and Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council Former Treasure Sudesh Mendis. Sudesh comes with 23 years of experience in the export business whilst winning a slew of accolades such as the National Business Excellence Award in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and the NCE (National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka) Export Award in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, consecutively.
n Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council for 2023/2024 Treasurer and St. Anthony’s Industries Group Jake Danny L.S. Jayasinghe
The committee elected to serve for the year 2023/ 2024 included the following companies: American Motor System, CMA CGM Lanka, Kelani Cables PLC, Mac Holdings, Marine Transport Services, Nestle PLC, Puritas, and St. Anthony’s Industries Group
As the newly elected president, Sudesh Mendis delivered his acceptance speech during which he expressed his sincere appreciation to High Commissioner of Maldives Ali Faiz and the members of the Sri Lanka-Maldives business council for believing in him throughout his tenure at the council. Mendis outlined his vision for the upcoming year, which aims to fully capitalise on the benefits that Sri Lanka has to offer and expand Sri Lanka’s market share in the Maldives.
Outlining his mission, his primary focus is on Sri Lankan SMEs, beginning with SME exhibitions, after successfully completing two rounds of discussions. As a result of this proposal, he intends to offer discounts on airline tickets, stalls and more, and perhaps even provide free logistics to allow SMEs to exhibit innovative ideas and introduce new suppliers to the Maldivian market.
In light of the issues Sri Lanka and the Maldives have endured over the past few years, he advised to stay optimistic given that both countries have been working towards resolving these issues.
Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council for 2023/2024 President Sudesh Mendis’s address
“Currently, Sri Lanka holds a market share of 5-6% in the Maldives import market. Frankly, achieving less than a 6% market share is a point of concern and disappointment. Operating three flights per day – occasionally even more – along with two vessels per week, it seems that we have not fully capitalised on these advantages. Hence, our primary vision is to expand our market share in the Maldives.
“With the assistance of the Maldives Embassy and the Sri Lankan Embassy to the Maldives, we aim to circulate market information and its opportunities you may need to know. Please visit our website to stay informed.
“Besides, due to a variety of reasons, several government institutes have closed their doors to many export goods today. It is high time to open doors to build legitimate businesses without unsought barriers to progress. The prevailing visa issue is also a significant concern for the Maldivian community in Sri Lanka. They consider Sri Lanka to be their second home. However, due to the visa issue, most of them have left the country, which is not only a loss for our country but also our friendship.
“Statistics show that, in 2018, approximately 17000 Maldivians lived in Sri Lanka. In 2020, this had declined to 8000 Maldivians. As of 2021, the number continued to decline, reaching 4,000 and only 2,000 Maldivians were left in 2022. It is estimated that there is a loss of over 60 million dollars per year as a result of this visa issue. Therefore, our vision and mission for the upcoming year is to be the voice for both countries and strive to strengthen our friendship and business relationship better than ever before.”
High Commissioner of Maldives Ali Faiz expressed his sincere appreciation to the executive committee of Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council for the opportunity to grace this occasion as the chief guest.
“At the outset, let me congratulate the newly elected President, Sudesh Mendis, Vice President and Committee Members. I›m confident that under the leadership of Sudesh, this council will aim to further strengthen trade ties, investment and open up new ventures between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. I also wish to thank Kevin Edwards, the outgoing president and hope the newly elected committee will continue to implement the blueprints that were built by Kevin and the members of this council.
“Sri Lanka is not only a neighbour to us. We have a special place in our hearts for Sri Lanka. It is a favourable destination for thousands of Maldivians. When Sri Lanka suffers, we suffer. When Sri Lanka does well, we also do well. The Maldives will always remain in solidarity with the government and people of Sri Lanka and I strongly believe that Sri Lankan companies still have space and opportunities to expand their share by increasing the existing exports and introducing new products and services that would cater to Maldivian people. Therefore, I invite Sri Lankan companies to invest in the fisheries sector of the Maldives since it›s going to create more opportunities for investment and favourable ROI.”
At the end of his speech, Faiz, also emphasised the importance of collaboration between Sri Lanka and the Maldives to strengthen existing connections and expand trade engagement in various sectors, including trade, services, tourism, education and more, highlighting the significant potential for growth given their geographical distinction as island nations.
The guest speaker of the evening, Suren Ediriweera, needs no introduction of his experience in the field for over 50 years and his longstanding history with the Maldives and the members of the Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council. It is with great pride and honour that he shared his success story, Ceylon Tours, in and of itself, how it all started 50 years ago, having watched it all unfold in plain sight. He described his experiences vividly, particularly the joy and excitement despite the countless challenges and uncertainties that came with starting a company from scratch.
The Annual General Meeting was then concluded by the vote of thanks delivered by the newly appointed Vice President of the Sri Lanka – Maldives Business Council for the year 2023/2024 Sanjeewa Perera.
