Sri Lanka-Italy Business Council elects Sonali Liyanamana as President at 19th AGM

The 19th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sri Lanka-Italy Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) was held on 6 September at Hilton Colombo Residences electing Sonali Liyanamana as the President. The Chief Guest was Ambassador of Italy in Sri Lanka Paolo Andrea Bartorelli.

Addressing the members, the newly elected President Sonali Liyanamana, Chief Executive Officer of Interglobe Travels, a member of Worldlink Air Services Group spelled that her main objectives are to promote bilateral trade, investment, technical and economic co-operation, tourism and services between Sri Lanka and Italy, and also the establishment of joint ventures. She further stressed the need that SLITBC to serve as a recognised representatives of business sector interests in Sri Lanka with the support of the Embassy of Italy whilst maintaining a good rapport with key institutions such as BOI and EDB would play a main integral role with the Council. She also stressed the investment opportunities in Europe, of looking at the bigger picture, and identify avenues such as – renewable energy, e-commerce, medical tourism, research and development, innovation and technology. 

As Vice Presidents – Janaka Gunasekera, Deputy Managing Director, A Baur & Co. Ltd. and Tyrell Roche, General Manager (Finance), Lanka Tiles PLC were elected. Rajah Abeyasinghe, Chief Executive Officer, Hydromec International Ltd. will serve as the Immediate Past President. 

The following companies were elected to serve on the Committee for the Year 2018-2019: Ferrero Lanka Ltd., NP Capital, Sampath Bank, Spear International Ltd., The Autodrome Plc.,          and Walkers Tours Ltd.

The event was graced by Paolo Andrea Bartorelli, who is also the Patron Member of the Council. In his address, he said, “A large number of Sri Lankans were living in Italy and this was a fine testimony to strengthen the relationship between the two nations. Significant increase of the arrival of Italian tourists to Sri Lanka and vice versa also showed the close rapport between the two countries. I can say from my viewpoint, and from my team’s viewpoint, the Council’s support to us as we pursue our objective of promoting trade investment between our countries is equally important.”

Congratulating the newly appointed Committee, the Ambassador appreciated the SLITBC’s role in hosting and facilitating business delegations and said he looks forward to closer involvement with the Council.