SLCBCC elects new office bearers at its 26th Annual General Meeting, with the newly appointed leadership expected to strengthen bilateral trade engagement and expand business opportunities between Sri Lanka and China.
SLCBCC elects new office bearers at 26th AGM
The Sri Lanka China Business Co-operation Council announced the appointment of its new office bearers and executive committee members following its Annual General Meeting held recently at the NCCSL auditorium.
The newly elected leadership team will oversee the council’s strategic direction and continue efforts to strengthen commercial partnerships, member engagement, and trade facilitation initiatives between the two countries. Industry observers say the appointments come at an important period for Sri Lanka China business relations as both countries seek to expand economic cooperation across trade, investment, logistics, and industrial sectors.
According to the council, Indika Salgado was elected as President, while Ranjith Laksiri and Arjuna Yatawara were appointed Deputy Presidents.
The council also appointed Ajith D. Perera as Secretary General, Tissa Ruberu as Honorary Treasurer, and Merwyn Gunawardena as Assistant Treasurer.
In addition, the executive committee includes Renuka Jayamanne, Kaushal Rajapaksha, Nirmal Fernando, S. Thiruchelvam, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nimal Ratnayake, K. Radhakrishnan, Dilshan Perera, Dinesh Moses, Nishan Perera, Pradeep Pushpakumara, and Gayan Prasanna Perera.
The AGM attracted strong participation from members attending both physically and virtually, reflecting continued interest in the council’s role in supporting bilateral trade and business collaboration. The newly appointed committee is expected to assume responsibilities immediately as it works toward strengthening the council’s engagement with local and international stakeholders.
SLCBCC elects new office bearers at a time when Sri Lanka continues efforts to deepen commercial ties with China, one of the country’s largest trading partners and a key source of investment and infrastructure collaboration. Business chambers and trade associations have increasingly focused on facilitating stronger cross-border partnerships to support economic recovery and export growth.
Speaking following his appointment, Salgado expressed confidence that the newly elected team would guide the organisation toward greater achievements while delivering stronger value to its members. He also highlighted the importance of fostering deeper partnerships and creating new opportunities for businesses operating between Sri Lanka and China.
Salgado acknowledged the contribution of previous executive committee members and noted that the council’s achievements over the years were made possible through the dedication and commitment of its membership base. He extended appreciation to outgoing office bearers for their service and continued support for the organisation’s long-term objectives.
Among the council’s recent achievements, Salgado pointed to the introduction of the Trusted Trader Certification programme, which was launched in partnership with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The initiative was aimed at strengthening business confidence and improving trade facilitation between Sri Lankan and Chinese enterprises.
He also noted that one of the council’s flagship events had not been conducted in recent years due to challenging national circumstances. Reviving the event has now been identified as a key priority for the incoming administration as part of efforts to increase business networking and commercial engagement opportunities.
In another significant development, Salgado announced that the council had received VIP status at the renowned Canton Fair, a move expected to create additional exposure and networking opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses participating in one of the world’s largest trade exhibitions.
Industry analysts believe the recognition could further strengthen Canton Fair Sri Lanka participation and improve access for local companies seeking to expand export relationships and sourcing partnerships within the Chinese market.
The council’s renewed leadership is expected to focus on enhancing member services, improving trade connectivity, and facilitating greater collaboration between private sector stakeholders in both countries. Analysts also note that organisations such as the SLCBCC continue to play an important role in supporting international business diplomacy and promoting long-term economic partnerships.
As Sri Lanka navigates its economic recovery process, business chambers are increasingly viewed as important platforms for encouraging trade diversification, investment promotion, and international market access. Observers say the new leadership team will likely prioritise initiatives that help businesses strengthen competitiveness while expanding opportunities within the broader Asian region.