Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association centennial celebration on 27 November

The Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association (CRTA) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, which represents the interest of Sri Lanka’s rubber industry, was inaugurated on 27 November 1918. 

The Association celebrates its 100th anniversary on 27 November this year and will hold the centennial celebration ceremony on 27 November from 9:30 a.m. at the Ceylon Chamber, with the launch of the centennial postage stamp followed by a special rubber auction. 

Thereafter, on 30 November, a gala dinner will be held at Galle Face Hotel Colombo, at 6:30 p.m., during which an American auctioning of a rare work of art ‘100 Years of Rubber Tapping’ (once-in-a-lifetime trophy painting by Ranjith Perera), will take place. Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake has been invited as the Chief Guest on 27 November and as the Guest of Honour on 30 November and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is invited as the Chief Guest on 30 November.

The mission of the CRTA is ‘To be the Premier Forum for Rubber in the Country’. It is proud to unlock this achievement of 100 years in advancing efficient and transparent trade between sellers, producers, buyers, exporters and dealers, and supporting the expansion and sustainability of the rubber industry in Sri Lanka. The first Chairman of the CRTA was J. Lochore of Carson & Co. Ltd., and today the CRTA is chaired by Amanda Weerasinghe of Almar Trading Co. Ltd. Along with the Chairman, and Vice Chairman Nissanka Seneviratne of Kotagala Plantations PLC, the CRTA committee comprises 17 members.

“The CRTA looks forward to this centennial celebration in honour of all its achievements over the years, and we expect that the association will continue its contribution of strengthening and playing a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s rubber industry. We welcome all those of the industry to join the gala dinner celebration as we mark this key milestone,” expressed Richard Jansz, Chairman of the Centennial Celebration Committee. 

Those who wish to attend the gala dinner must register by 26 November by contacting Nazila Thajudeen via 5588830 or [email protected].