Sri Lanka-China Business Council holds 19th AGM

Seated from left: Joe Meng (Cosco Lanka), SLCHBC Immediate Past President Thulitha Mendis, SLCHBC Treasurer Haroun Cader, SLCHBC Senior Vice President Chaminda Perera, SLCHBC President Aruna Perera, SLCHBC Vice President Ruwan Senavirathne, K. Kunendran (Abans PLC) and Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Manager Business Council Dinithi Dias. Standing from left: Udith Wijetunge (David Pieris Motor Co.), Mohammad Cader (Zam Gems), Nathaniel Umesh Nithiyanandarajah (Sunshine Tea), M.A. Rajap (Hayleys Agriculture Holdings), Jay Ong Jhon Seon (Prima Ceylon), Mohammad Hameez (Spillburg Holdings) and Kumudu Jayalath (Acorn Aviation). Absent: Prabath Harshakumar (John Keells Holdings)

• China’s economic growth turned from negative to positive, with a year-on-year growth of 3.2%.

The 19th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka-China Business Council (SLCHBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held via Microsoft Teams on 29 July. Embassy of People’s Republic of China Commercial Counsellor Yang Zuoyuan was the Chief Guest. 

SLCHBC was established on 26 April 2001 and formed under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The Council was formed at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the main objective of promoting trade, investment, services and tourism between Sri Lanka and China.

Cargoserv Shipping Ltd. Director Aruna Perera was elected as the President of the Council for the year 2020-2021.

Chaminda Perera from Associated Motorways Ltd. was elected as the Senior Vice President and Ruwan Senaviratne from Stretchline Ltd. was elected as the Vice President of the Council. Haroun Cader from Sinwa Holdings Ltd. was elected as the Treasurer and Thulitha Mendis, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC serves as the Immediate Past President of the council.  

In his address, Aruna Perera mentioned that during the last year, under the Leadership of Thulitha Mendis, the council moved with a greater vigour, adding that despite the many obstacles the council would continue to have events via webinars focusing on sectors in line with the country’s needs.

He further stated: “In these challenging conditions, we would look at how the business council could facilitate growth in trade, tourism and investment segments between the two countries and look upon to much corporation and help from our dear friend Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy and all other officials. We believe in this endeavour our fellow committee members from Board of Investment and Export Development Board would join hands with us towards driving our common objectives.”

Commercial Counsellor Yang Zuoyuan stated: “The Chinese Government has taken the most comprehensive, thorough and rigorous measures to fight against the pandemic. There were many heart-warming moves and active supports from the Sri Lankan Government and people from all walks of life to China at that critical moment. China cherishes its friendly relations with Sri Lanka and highly appreciates the firm support from Sri Lanka.

“After united and arduous efforts, China has successfully kept the pandemic under control and the order of life and economy in China are now under restoration at an increasing pace. Despite the adverse impact of the pandemic on economy, in the second quarter, the China’s economic growth turned from negative to positive, with a year-on-year growth of 3.2%. The two countries would gradually restore cooperation in various areas and take forward high-quality cooperation under the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative. Such endeavours will also contribute to the economic recovery of Sri Lanka.”

Abans PLC, Cosco Lanka Ltd., David Pieris Motor Company Ltd., Hayleys Agriculture Holdings Ltd., Acorn Aviation Ltd., John Keells Holdings PLC, Prima Ceylon Ltd., Spillburg Holdings Ltd., Sunshine Tea Ltd. and Zam Gems Ltd. were elected from the membership to serve on the Executive Committee of the Council.

Further details regarding membership of the Council could be obtained from the Secretariat of the Sri Lanka-China Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, No. 50, Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2. E-mail: [email protected] or Tel.: 011-5588861, 5588800.