Sunday Jun 14, 2026
Sunday Jun 14, 2026
Friday, 12 June 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Suren Chandraratna
Three months into his tenure as Chairman of the Chamber of Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE), Suren Chandraratna has set a dynamic tone for the organisation, advancing a vision centred on his theme, “Bridging Generations and Building Futures.”
Since assuming office, Suren Chandraratna has focused on strengthening connections between COYLE’s founding members, senior business leaders, and the next generation of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs. His leadership has sought to preserve the entrepreneurial values that shaped the Chamber while preparing members to navigate an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving business landscape.
One of the flagship initiatives introduced during Suren Chandraratna’s tenure has been the Leadership Conversations Series, created to connect COYLE’s current membership with the entrepreneurs who laid the foundation for both the Chamber and many of Sri Lanka’s leading businesses. The inaugural session featured COYLE Founder Member Praki Perera, whose reflections on entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership, and institution-building provided valuable perspectives for the next generation of business leaders.
Complementing these conversations, COYLE has also launched a series of entrepreneurial podcasts, bringing together founders, industry leaders, and emerging entrepreneurs to share insights, experiences, and lessons from their business journeys. The initiative aims to create an accessible platform for learning, inspiration, and knowledge-sharing within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Recognising the importance of collaboration beyond the business community, Suren Chandraratna has led a number of engagements with government ministers, senior policymakers, and members of the diplomatic corps. These interactions have focused on strengthening dialogue between the private and public sectors, fostering investment opportunities, and promoting policies that support entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Looking ahead, COYLE is preparing for a significant international engagement through its participation in the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (G20 YEA) Summit in Vienna, Austria, where COYLE members will join global counterparts to exchange ideas, explore partnerships, and contribute to discussions on innovation, sustainability, and economic development.
Reflecting on the first quarter of his tenure, Suren Chandraratna noted that COYLE’s strength lies in its ability to unite experience with ambition.
“Our objective is to create meaningful connections between those who built successful businesses and those who will shape the future of Sri Lankan enterprise. By bridging generations, we can ensure that knowledge, values, and entrepreneurial spirit continue to inspire future leaders while creating new opportunities for growth and innovation,” he said.
Under Suren Chandraratna’s leadership, COYLE will continue to expand opportunities for learning, networking, advocacy, and international engagement, reinforcing its role as one of Sri Lanka’s leading platforms for entrepreneurship and business leadership.
