SRI LANKA PHILIPPINES BUSINESS COUNCIL (SLPBC)

Seated (from left to right)

Mr. Ashan Nissanka (Treasurer), Mr. Rohitha Mendis (President), Mr. Sriyal Dissanayake (Vice Patron and Hon. Consul General of Philippines), Mr. Riza Ahamat (Vice President), Mr. Ravi De Silva (Immediate Past President)

Standing (from left to right)

Mr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, Dr. L. W. V. Kalanapriya Alwis, Dr. Rohan Karunaratne, Mr. Rasith Wickramasinghe, Dr. Amitha Kumara Upala Gamage, Mr. Shiran Dissanayake, Mr. Ranil De Silva, Mr. Anselm Perera.

SRI LANKA-PHILIPPINES BUSINESS COUNCIL HOLDS ITS AGM
The Sri Lanka Philippines Business Council (SLPBC), operating under the patronage of H.E. Madam Nina P. Cainglet, the Ambassador of the Philippine to Sri Lanka (non-resident and based in Dhaka), 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 it’s core mission.

Welcoming members at the AGM, Hon. Consul Sriyal 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.

H.E. Madam 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 honor 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 emphasized 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 concluded.

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 Dr. Benjamine Reyes, Secretary General of the Colombo Plan, 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.

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