Sri Lanka-Germany Business Council hosts 14th AGM

Tuesday, 3 September 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lanka-Germany Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held its 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently at the Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo. Dr. Juergen Morhard , Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany was the Chief Guest. Delivering the welcome speech President Mark Francis said: “I take this opportunity to thank the members for their support and patronage towards the council events of the concluded year . The Council will continue to facilitate trade, commerce, tourism, education and other sectors just as before.” “The flagship event is the 60th jubilee of bilateral cooperation between our two countries. The Council is working closely with the Embassy to participate in the schedule of events between October to December this year. The Council itself is planning a breakfast business forum in October. I invite all members to be a part of this Forum, do not miss out,” Francis added.

Ambassador Morhard in his address listed out all the events and activities planned to celebrate the 60 years of bilateral relations between the two countries, the main event being the street festival, a celebration featuring food, beverage, music, art, and showcasing grass-root, economic and development initiatives by German partner organisations, plus performances by German brass band the Talking Horns. The Ambassador invited all coorporates with close links with Germany to join hands for the celebrations. Francis, who is the Executive Director of Malship Ceylon Ltd., was elected as the President of the Council for the year 2013/2014. Neil Umagiliya, Managing Director of Dial Textile Industries Ltd. and Ranjith Pandithage, Chairman, Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC, were elected as the Vice Presidents of the Council The following were appointed as Committee Members for the year 2013/2014: Senaka Amarasinghe, Managing Direc-tor,Carmart Ltd.; H.A. Reuter, Managing Director, Prestige Automobile Ltd.; Niranjan Rodrigo, Vice President, Aitken Spence Travels Limited/Aitken Spence & Co. Ltd.; Asoka Hettigoda, Managing Director Hettigoda Industries Ltd.; Navindra Abeysekera, Director – New Business Development, Delmege Forsyth & Co Ltd.; M. Nazvi Hassan, Director, Yasui Lanka Ltd.; Yohan Pieris, Vice President Walkers Tours Ltd.; Rajiv Fernando ,Director Senok Trade Combine Ltd.; Capt. Nalin Pieris, Managing Director, Ceyline Shipping Ltd.; Sudath Tennakoon, Chairman/CEO , Central Bearings & Machinery Ltd. Gerhard Gerhard Truemper, First Secretary, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany will join the committee as an invitee. The SLGBC has a diverse membership of over 80 companies, making it one of most prestigious networking business associations. SLGBCl organises a series of events throughout the year for the benefit of its members, ranging from luncheon meetings with guests speakers on topical interest to sporting and social activities.