RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka-China Business Council (SLCBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce elected Sampath Kumara of David Pieris Motor Company as its President for the 2026/2027 term at the Council’s 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Tuesday July 28 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Board Room.
The AGM, attended by Council members and officials of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, marked the Council’s 25th anniversary, celebrating a quarter century of promoting bilateral trade, investment, and business cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.
The newly elected office-bearers for 2026/2027 include President: Sampath Kumara – David Pieris Motor Company, Senior Vice President: Chandrika Ranawaka – Bank of China, Colombo Branch, Vice President: M.H.K.M. Hameez – Spillburg Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, Treasurer: Adheesha Salpitikorala – E-Arrow (Pvt) Ltd and Immediate Past President: Haroun Cader – Sinwa Holdings Ltd.
The Executive Committee comprises representatives from Abans PLC, Acorn Aviation (Pvt) Ltd, Advantis Freight (Pvt) Ltd, COSCO Shipping Lines Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, David Pieris Logistics (Pvt) Ltd, DPR Investment Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, E-Arrow (Pvt) Ltd, Hatton National Bank PLC, Hayleys Agriculture Holdings Ltd, and Lak Arcade (Pvt) Ltd.
The Council also announced its Honorary Members: Dr. Lasantha Wickremasooriya, Ted Muttiah (Chief Commercial Officer, SAGT (Pvt) Ltd), Jay Ong (Group General Manager, Prima Ceylon PLC), Chaminda Perera (Past President and Co-Founder, Deranya (Pvt) Ltd), Prabath Harshakumar (Past President and Vice President, John Keells Holdings PLC).
The Council paid tributes to the outgoing President Haroun Cader of Sinwa Holdings Ltd for his leadership during the 2025/26 term. Members commended his efforts in strengthening engagement with Chinese stakeholders, expanding member services, and enhancing the Council’s role in promoting Sri Lanka-China economic cooperation.
Addressing at the AGM, newly elected President Sampath Kumara expressed appreciation to his predecessor and thanked Haroun Cader for his outstanding leadership and valuable contribution to the growth of the Council. Building on this strong foundation, the new Executive Committee will focus on facilitating trade, attracting Chinese investments, and creating new opportunities for our members in line with national economic priorities,” he said.
The Sri Lanka-China Business Council, one of the oldest bilateral business councils under the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, continues to serve as a key platform for Sri Lankan businesses to engage with Chinese counterparts across sectors including logistics, banking, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.
