CCC celebrates today 175 years of service to the nation

Tuesday, 25 March 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) celebrates yet another achievement today as it reaches the 175 year mark of extending service to the nation.

The CCC, which was the first of its kind was founded by then Governor of Ceylon J.A. Steward Mackenzie on 25 March 1839 and has grown to become an apex organisation that brings together corporate, sector associations, regional chambers, and bilateral business councils. While the institution had humble beginnings, today the chamber has over 3,500 corporates affiliated, representing a wide cross-section of blue chip public quoted companies to regional SMEs. To mark the 175th anniversary the CCC will issue today a stamp and a first day cover in addition to the religious ceremony that will be attended by the institution’s senior officials and staff members. In a media event held at the CCC office in Colombo yesterday officials highlighted significant events of the chamber that took since its inception. Acknowledging the immense contribution made by the CCC in its 175th year establishment, CCC Chairman Suresh Shah while reading out a statement said that the Chamber’s greatest strength has been its diverse membership whilst its position of pre-eminence is a result of the leadership provided by visionary men and women of the private sector who have served on its many committees. “As Sri Lanka moves into the next phase of development, the Chamber remains a committed and steadfast partner to all those who seek equitable economic growth and prosperity for our country. We extend our unstinted support to re-focus the Sri Lankan private sector towards export markets, modernise the nation’s education system, create a society that thrives on merit and enterprise, and raise all Sri Lankans to an acceptable, minimum standard of living,” read Shah at the briefing which was also attended by CCC Vice Chairman Samantha Ranatunga, CCC Deputy Chairman Rajendra Theagarajah, and CCC Secretary General/CEO Harin Malwatte. Theagarajah added to this by stating that in the next five to 10 years it is important to ensure that wealth is distributed equally to all classes of people. “There is a clear role for the Chamber to take a more focused role in matchmaking where it can link with the regional chambers. We are looking at the possibility of twining chamber where we can increase market access and sharing of expert practices so the focus is not only in Colombo. Unless that happens we will always have the problem of inequitable distribution,” asserted Theagarajah. Noting that the challenges of the future will differ from those of the past, the CCC assures that its core principles of ‘Nation First & Private Sector Led Growth’ will remain since it recognises that the said principle will continue to benefit both its membership and the country as Sri Lanka face the future with renewed confidence.

Key milestones of the CCC since its inception in 1983

1839 - Formation of the Chamber 1898-The Chamber provided space to conduct the Colombo Tea Auction, the largest, fastest and most efficient single origin tea auction in the world 1894 - The Colombo Tea Traders’ Association, first of the affiliated trade associations, was formed as an appendage of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce 1925 - The Chamber pioneered the issue of Certificates of Origin from Sri Lanka 1932 - The setting up of a sub-committee to specialise in tax matters 1939 - Establishment of the very first central provident fund in the island – the Mercantile Service Provident Society (MSPS) 1954 - Terrence De Soysa was appointed as the first Sri Lankan Chairman of the Chamber 1966 - Formation of the Shippers’ Council to negotiate collectively for the shipping industry 1976 - Formulation of the National Export Awards Scheme and subsequently handed over to the EDB. The scheme currently runs as the Presidential Export Awards Scheme 1987 – The Chamber issued a historic resolution, adding its weight in the defence of sovereignty, condemning the Indian action of invading Sri Lanka’s airspace when their war planes dropped food over the Jaffna Peninsula. 2000 - Formation of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors 2000 - The Chamber held its first business convention, which has evolved to be the key event of the private sector, the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2004 - Launching of the Best Corporate Citizen Award 2006 - Launch of the Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce 2008 - Chamber Instituted CCC Solutions which began on a firm foundation as a specialised arm to concentrate solely on projects.

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