FCCISL attends AGMs of regional members

FCCISL Senior Vice President Shirley Jayawardena addressing the gathering at the MDCCIG AGM	MDCCIG President K N Mahendra addressing the gathering at the MDCCIG AGM
FCCISL Vice President Keerthi Gunawardena addressing the gathering at the CCCIU AGM	CCCIU President Nimal Dabare addressing the gathering at the CCCIU AGM

FCCISL, the apex body of the Chamber movement in the country, recently graced the Annual General Meetings of the Matale District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MDCCIG) and Chamber of Commerce Industry of Uva (CCCIU) respectively. 

FCCISL Senior Vice President Shirley Jayawardena attended the 10th AGM of the MDCCIG as the Guest of Honour. Speaking at the ceremony, Jayawardena emphasised the role of entrepreneurs in the economy and appealed to the women of the province to come forward to develop the nation by involving themselves in businesses. She further said that it is pathetic that many Sri Lankan women chose work in the Middle East, leaving their families and children behind which has caused many social issues for them. The Sri Lankan Chamber movement needs to encourage business startups, and specially youth and female entrepreneurs in the country, to do business by providing technical knowhow, knowledge, and finding markets for them. Jayawardena said it is also important to recognise the existing entrepreneurs doing business in midst of challenges, and noted this is why FCCISL conducts the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of The Year Awards annually, in order to recognise and reward them. 

Re-elected MDCCIG President K N Mahendra, speaking at the AGM, said that it was a great pleasure to see that the once-defunct Chamber at Matale is now active, and that the vast crowd present was a testimony to that effect. He said that during the last few months the MDCCIG has achieved many milestones, and as a result was selected to be a partnering member for the EU-funded Integrated Economic Development Project. He further said that very soon a database of all businessmen in Matale District will be set up at the Chamber office. MDCCIG would help the Matale Municipal Council set up a CCTV camera system covering all of Matale town, with a view to improve security for businesses and people living in the town.

FCCISL Vice President Keerthi Gunawardena attended the 16th AGM of Uva District Chamber Of Commerce and Industry (CCCIU) in Badulla. Speaking at the AGM as the Guest of Honour, Gunawardena said Sri Lanka needs a clear vision, policies, and new strategies to develop the country. He said in the year 1950 Rs. 4.67 was equal to $1 and today it is in the range of Rs. 180. He said the Government should create a business-friendly economic environment, by enacting a set of national policies. He laments even 71 years from Independence, Sri Lanka still lacks national policies to promote agriculture, industry, trade with other countries, and also to safeguard the offensive and defensive interest of the country. He also said a lack of focus on developing the SME sector is another setback the country faced. The taxpayers’ money and various subsidies have been used to maintain inefficient Government machinery, and we have seen Ministers in charge of labour engaged in sending workers abroad, instead of developing their skills or creating jobs for the country. The only way to create jobs is to develop various sectors of the economy and the trade. The expansion of the public sector will create only a burden on the economy, and is certainly a waste of taxpayers’ money. He said the need of the hour of the Regional Chambers is to address the issues of their respective areas, and bring proposals to FCCISL, in order to create the medium- and long-term policy for the country. If policy is decided on clearly, then no matter which political party comes into power, the policy can continue for the benefit of everyone in the country. 

Newly re-elected CCCIU President Nimal Dabare, speaking at the AGM, said that it’s a great achievement that the Chamber has its own building to operate now, and noted that in the last year CCCIU had started a number of training programs, including a human resource development program for employees. Dabare also said that the foundation has been laid down for the Italian government-sponsored assistance program for SME projects, with future plans for arranging overseas capacity development programs for the business community. He also expressed his confidence that the present economic condition will be improved upon soon, and appealed to all entrepreneurs to look at available business opportunities and work towards the development of the country. 

A unique feature in this AGM was the presentation of Honorary Life Membership to CCCIU Founding Chairman Ajith Waththuhewa, in appreciation of his outstanding performance in Chamber activities. CCCIU Director and United Traders Association President Upali Ekanayaka was awarded with a plaque to recognise his dedication to the Uva Chamber.