Daily FT Editor among top individuals for Global Commerce Excellence medals

Wednesday, 14 December 2011 01:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Daily FT Editor Nisthar Cassim was among 40 top individuals apart from 60 institutions from private and public sectors picked last night for Global Commerce Excellence by the Shippers Academy Colombo, with support from the Central Bank, Export Development Board, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and several business chambers.

Daily FT Editor Nisthar Cassim (left) being congratulated by Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga prior to the presentation of the Global Commerce Excellence medal last night at a ceremony watched by Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal (right), IMF Resident Representative Koshy Mathai (left), Sri Lanka Ports Authority Managing Director Capt. Nihal Keppetipola (third from left) and International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka President Tissa Jayaweera – Pic by Krishan Ranasinghe

Officiated by Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal, a Global Commerce Excellence medal was bestowed upon Cassim, whilst among business leaders honoured with the same accolade were veterans Ken Balendra, Sohli Captain, Merrill J. Fernando, Victor Hettigoda, Mahesh Amalean, Mahendra Amarasuriya and Tilak De Zoysa, new business leaders Dhammika Perera, Ashroff Omar, Ishara Nanayakkara, Nimal Perera, Ashok Pathirage, Ajith Devasurendra, Asanga Seneviratne and Eshana de Silva, professionals Prof. Uditha Liyanage and Anura Lokuhetty, sports stars Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya and IT leaders Kris Canekeratne and Dr. Sanjiva Weerawana.

Politicians included veteran Foreign Minister Ronnie de Mel and MP Thilanga Sumathipala, whilst among women winners were Soma Edirisinghe and Rohini Nanayakkara. Three former Central Bank Governors – A.S. Jayawardena, H.B. Dissanayake and Sunil Mendis – were among the 40 individuals recognised for their long-standing contribution to fostering commerce in Sri Lanka.

The individual awards were apart from accolades for institutions, including select listed blue chips, unlisted conglomerates, chambers of commerce and public institutions. The awards coincided with the first-ever Governors Challenge Trophy for Global Commerce quiz, for which around 50 companies and individual teams competed. Seylan Bank won the trophy.

The full coverage on the awards with the list of 100 winners, pictures and speeches will be published in the Daily FT tomorrow.