Presidential opening for National Chamber’s Rs. 32 m new auditorium complex

Wednesday, 23 January 2013 03:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday ceremoniously opened the new auditorium complex of the National Chamber of Commerce (NCCSL) built at an investment of an approximate Rs. 32 million.

The complex, built on the fourth floor of the chamber building located on D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, consists of a new and expanded auditorium to house 240 people, a boardroom and a president’s room which are vital for the chamber to host foreign delegations and trade missions. The fifth floor has been designed as a reception area to host various events of the chamber.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa writing on the visitor’s book as Commerce and Industry Minister Rishad Bathiudeen (right), NCCSL President Asoka Hettigoda (third from right), Senior Deputy President Sunil Wijesinha, Deputy President Thilak Godamanna and Secretary Sujeeva Samaraweera (left) look on

NCCSL President Asoka Hettigoda thanking President Rajapaksa for creating an environment conducive for business noted that it was vital to become economically independent on the way forward which would in turn establish political freedom within the country.

“To be economically independent, it is necessary to support and boost local businesses, entrepreneurs, and the SME sector of the country,” Hettigoda said. “Policies implemented to become self-sufficient in rice and to increase local milk production, among others, as well as programs such as the ‘Gama Neguma’ and ‘Divi Neguma,’ will help in this endeavour.”

He also added that to become the ‘Wonder of Asia,’ the country must encourage more local production and give a helping hand to uplift the country’s SME sector.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa unveiling the plaque of the new complex and renovated building - Pix by Upul Abayasekara

NCCSL Senior Deputy President Sunil Wijesinha told the Daily FT that the need for the new complex was long-felt in the face of development and progress made by the chamber.

Stating that the previous auditorium could only seat 75 persons at any given time, Wijesinha said: “We did not have a good auditorium. With the new auditorium we can host more training for our members.”

With the increase in the number of business delegates and foreign diplomatic missions coming into the country following the end of war, the boardroom needed to be upgraded, he said.

“We also added a president’s room to entertain visitors,” Wijesinha expressed. “The floor above the fourth floor is a reception area to host functions as well as to host meals for seminars being held at the auditorium.”

He noted that the chamber could now do much more for its members and host more joint programs such as those being held with Sri Lanka Customs, the Inland Revenue Department, etc.