Indian CEO Forum hails Gotabaya victory

Indian CEO Forum of Sri Lanka (the preeminent body for Indian business investment in Sri Lanka) President Umesh Gautam who is also Lanka Ashok Leyland Plc CEO yesterday issued a statement hailing the victory of Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the President. 

Umesh Gautam

Following is the full statement congratulating the newly-elected President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his well-deserved victory.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and the members of the Indian CEO Forum, would like to extend our congratulations to the newly-elected President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa for a resounding victory at the polls. The Indian CEO Forum wishes to extend its full support to the mandate you have been entrusted with by the citizens of Sri Lanka and stand prepared to work towards taking this country forward under your leadership.

“Indian investment in Sri Lanka represents some of the oldest Foreign Direct Investments into Sri Lanka dating as far back as 1980 when outside private investment was virtually non-existent. Our commitment to the economic prosperity of Sri Lanka has been unshaken even in the worst of times during the war and under the cloud of terrorism. Many of our members have adopted Sri Lanka as our second home and have strong ties to the island that transcend economic and political co-operation. “Today Indian investment in Sri Lanka is the second largest source of FDI in Sri Lanka while trade between the two countries has grown to over $ 5 b since 2000 and is expected to reach $ 10 b over the next five years. The Indian CEO Forum works to promote and contribute to the economic growth of Sri Lanka and reaffirms its commitment to this cause going forward under your great leadership. “Finally, we all the members of the Indian CEO forum wish to further reinforce and improve India-Sri Lanka business relationship under your leadership to take country forward and delivering a safer and more prosperous Sri Lanka.”