American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka appoints Bertram Paul as President at 34th AGM

AmCham Sri Lanka 2026/27 Board of Directors: Seated from left: President Emeritus and former President Sandun Hapugoda; Secretary Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer, President Bertram Paul, Vice President Dilshan Perera and Treasurer Chamila Bandara. Standing from left: Mario Perera, Kavinda De Zoysa, Tamani Dias, Zachary Bailey, Anika Williamson, Kshanika Ratnayaka, Hatem Rajabdeen,  Riza Wadood and Saneth Gamage 

The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham SL) successfully held its 34th Annual General Meeting, bringing together its membership, distinguished guests, business leaders and representatives of the diplomatic community.

The AGM marked another important milestone for AmCham Sri Lanka as the Chamber reflected on a year of continued advocacy, high-level engagement and initiatives aimed at strengthening trade, investment and commercial ties between Sri Lanka and the United States. The meeting also saw the election of a new Board of Directors to lead the Chamber into its next chapter.

Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC, Managing Director/CEO Bertram Paul was elected President of AmCham Sri Lanka, succeeding Sandun Hapugoda.

HSBC Sri Lanka Head of Global Network Banking Dilshan Perera, was elected Vice President, while IAS Holdings Ltd., Group Managing Director Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny was elected Secretary. Hayleys Advantis Group Management Committee, Licensee of Federal Express Corporation Advantis Express Director and CityPak representative IML Delivery Systems Director Chamila Bandara, was elected Treasurer.

Outgoing President  Mastercard Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Country Manager Sandun Hapugoda was appointed President Emeritus of AmCham Sri Lanka, ensuring continuity and the benefit of his leadership and experience on the Board.

Digiratina Technology Solutions Ltd., Managing Director Riza Wadood, Standard Chartered Bank Executive Director/Head of Corporate Coverage Tamani Dias, Citibank, N.A. Director, Country Markets Head/Treasurer Saneth Gamage, North Manufacturing Ltd., , Managing Director Hatem Rajabdeen, and JAT Holdings PLC Director Anika Williamson were re-elected as Directors and will continue to serve on the AmCham Sri Lanka Board.

Further strengthening the breadth and sectoral representation of the Board, Bank of Ceylon Chairman Kavinda De Zoysa, The Coca-Cola Company, Sri Lanka Country Manager Mario Perera, and Great Place to Work Sri Lanka Director/CEO Kshanika Ratnayaka were appointed as new Board members.

The new Board brings together senior leadership from financial services, FMCG, logistics, technology, and manufacturing, among other key sectors, reinforcing AmCham Sri Lanka's role as a platform connecting business leadership with the advancement of US–Sri Lanka economic relations.

US–Sri Lanka partnership

The AGM takes place at an important juncture in the bilateral relationship and follows the arrival of the new United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Eric Meyer, who formally assumed his ambassadorial responsibilities in August 2026.

Upon presenting his credentials, Ambassador Meyer underscored his commitment to further strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two countries, stating: “The United States is proud to call Sri Lanka a friend in a partnership that has spanned more than 78 years.”

Ambassador Meyer has identified unlocking new economic opportunities as a key part of that partnership. “Sri Lanka has made real economic progress, but this is the moment to be more ambitious about what comes next,” Ambassador Meyer said. “We want to see more American companies succeeding here—and that requires a predictable business environment and a strong private-sector voice. AmCham can be a powerful force multiplier in that effort, identifying barriers, championing reforms, and helping turn American capital, technology, and expertise into greater prosperity for both our countries.”

Ambassador Meyer’s tenure begins as the United States and Sri Lanka look to build on this momentum by expanding trade, attracting investment, and creating new opportunities for businesses and people in both countries.

Building on a year of engagement

Reflecting on his tenure, outgoing President and newly appointed President Emeritus Sandun Hapugoda stated: “Serving as President of AmCham Sri Lanka has been a true privilege. During 2025/26, we strengthened the Chamber’s advocacy, deepened engagement with the US Embassy and other stakeholders, and advanced trade and investment between Sri Lanka and the United States. I extend my warmest wishes to incoming President Bertram Paul and the new Board. I am confident they will build on this strong foundation and take AmCham forward. As President Emeritus, I remain fully committed to supporting them and the wider AmCham community.”

During the past year, AmCham Sri Lanka continued to strengthen its role as an important voice for the business community through policy advocacy, engagement with public and private sector stakeholders, knowledge-sharing platforms and initiatives supporting greater trade and investment between Sri Lanka and the United States.

The Chamber also continued to create opportunities for its members to engage with senior business leaders, policymakers, US Government representatives and international stakeholders, while broadening its focus on areas including trade and investment, human capital development, technology, innovation and responsible business growth.

A new chapter for AmCham Sri Lanka

Addressing the membership following his election, incoming President Bertram Paul outlined three priorities for the Chamber going forward: advocacy, by serving as a credible voice engaging policymakers on trade, investment, and reforms to boost Sri Lanka’s competitiveness; connection, by converting the Chamber’s membership network into real partnerships and business growth rather than mere networking; and investing in the next generation, through mentorship, training and opportunities for young people.

Under the leadership of the newly elected Board, AmCham Sri Lanka will continue to focus on strengthening bilateral commercial relations, supporting an enabling environment for trade and investment, advocating on issues affecting its membership, and creating high-value opportunities for collaboration between Sri Lankan and American businesses.

The 34th AGM concluded with networking among members, dignitaries and guests, marking the beginning of a new chapter for AmCham Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Bertram Paul and the newly constituted Board.

Now in its 34th year, the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham SL) stands as one of Sri Lanka's leading business Chambers and the premier platform dedicated to fostering and advancing trade, investment and business relations between Sri Lanka and the United States.

Representing a diverse membership of leading multinational and Sri Lankan companies across key sectors of the economy, AmCham Sri Lanka works closely with its members and stakeholders to facilitate meaningful business connections, provide high-level knowledge-sharing opportunities and advocate for policies that support a competitive, transparent and investment-friendly business environment.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara