Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday, 11 November 2025 03:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Seated from left: Ashan Nissanka (Treasurer), Rohitha Mendis (President), Sriyal Dissanayake (Vice Patron and Hon. Consul General of Philippines), Riza Ahamat (Vice President), and Ravi De Silva (Immediate Past President) Standing from left: Gamini Wickramasinghe, Dr. L. W. V. Kalanapriya Alwis, Dr. Rohan Karunaratne, Rasith Wickramasinghe, Dr. Amitha Kumara Upala Gamage, Shiran Dissanayake, Ranil De Silva and Anselm Perera
The Sri Lanka Philippines Business Council (SLPBC), operating under the patronage of the Ambassador of the Philippine to Sri Lanka (non-resident and based in Dhaka) Madam Nina P. Cainglet, and Hon. Consul General Hugh Sriyal Dissanayake (Vice Patron), held its Annual General Meeting recently.
The SLPBC, with a membership base of 35, continues to promote mutually beneficial business opportunities between Sri Lanka and the Philippines as its core mission.
Welcoming members at the AGM, Dissanayake expressed gratitude to the outgoing President, Ravi De Silva, Treasurer, Gamini Wickremesinghe, and the Executive Committee for their dedicated service, particularly during the challenging years marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic turbulence.
Ambassador Nina P. Cainglet, in a video message, reaffirmed her support for the Council›s ongoing efforts and extended her best wishes to the incoming President and Executive Committee.
Rohitha Mendis was unanimously elected as the new President of SLPBC for the coming year. In his acceptance speech, he stated: «It is truly an honour to be elected President. Your trust in me gives me the courage to accept this position. I look forward to your continued support and engagement in all Council activities.» He emphasised that the Council›s strength lies in member cooperation and outlined key goals for the year ahead, including growing the membership base and leading a business delegation to the Philippines to explore opportunities. «With your support and collective effort, I am confident we can take the Council to new heights,» he added.
Other office bearers elected for the year include: Vice President - Riza Ahmat, Treasurer - Ashan Nissanka and Executive Committee Members, Gamini Wickremesinghe, Rasith Wickremesinghe, Dr. Rohan Karunaratne, Ranil de Silva, Dr. Amitha Kumara Gamage, Dr. Kalanapriya Alwis, Anslem Perera, Shiran Dissanayake.
A special address was delivered by the Colombo Plan Secretary General Dr. Benjamin Reyes, who shared valuable insights on business opportunities for Sri Lankan companies in the Philippines and outlined the regulatory framework for setting up businesses there.
The AGM was attended by 25 members, special invitees, and representatives from Philippine Associations in Sri Lanka. The evening concluded with a video presentation by the Board of Investments of the Philippines, followed by a fellowship and networking dinner.
