MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd’s Director of Finance and Group Chief Financial Officer, Tilak Gunawardena, has been appointed President of the Sri Lanka–USA Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for 2025/26.

The appointment was announced at the Council’s 9th Annual General Meeting, held on July 31, 2025, at the Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo. U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie J. Chung attended the event as Chief Guest.

In his address, Mr. Gunawardena pledged to strengthen bilateral trade ties, foster innovation in emerging sectors, and deepen institutional partnerships between Sri Lanka and the United States. He also highlighted the importance of addressing potential new U.S. tariffs on Sri Lankan exports through proactive dialogue.

Below is Mr. Gunawardena’s full speech delivered at the AGM:

Her Excellency Ambassador Julie J. Chung,
Immediate Past President, Members of the Executive Committee, Esteemed Invitees, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening.

It is both an honor and a privilege to stand before you today as the newly elected President of the Sri Lanka–USA Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. I accept this responsibility with deep gratitude and genuine enthusiasm.

Let me begin by extending my heartfelt thanks to our members for the trust and confidence you have placed in me. I would also like to express sincere appreciation to our Immediate Past President for his outstanding leadership over the past two years. Under his guidance, the Council has made significant progress tackling key trade challenges, hosting impactful dialogues, and strengthening our partnerships with the U.S. Embassy, USAID, and other key institutions.

We are especially grateful for the unwavering support of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo and the broader U.S. government, whose assistance during Sri Lanka’s recent economic challenges has been both timely and transformative. Your partnership has been invaluable, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration in the years ahead.

As I step into this role, I do so with great respect for the legacy that has been built and a strong commitment to advancing it. The relationship between Sri Lanka and the United States is one of enduring friendship, shared opportunity, and mutual benefit. I am excited to help deepen this partnership in meaningful and strategic ways.

Looking ahead, one issue that demands our immediate attention is the proposed introduction of new tariffs on Sri Lankan exports to the United States. These measures, part of a broader global trade recalibration, are expected to take effect on August 1st, pending the outcome of ongoing discussions.

While this presents a challenge, it also highlights the importance of proactive dialogue and strategic engagement. Sri Lanka is navigating a period of significant economic transformation, following the IMF’s bailout package in 2023 and a series of bold reforms. Our progress is steady, and our resilience is strong.

Encouragingly, negotiations between the Sri Lankan government and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) are ongoing and showing promising signs. We remain hopeful for a resolution that supports Sri Lanka’s recovery, protects key industries, and reinforces the spirit of partnership that defines our bilateral relationship.

To guide our efforts in the coming year, I will focus broadly on three strategic pillars that align with our mission and the evolving global landscape:

1. Facilitating Trade & Expanding Market Access
   We will empower our members to access the U.S. market more effectively by creating targeted platforms for networking, knowledge sharing, trade facilitation, compliance, and business matchmaking.
2. Fostering Innovation in Emerging Sectors
   We aim to engage with high-potential industries such as IT and the digital economy, maritime, health technology, education, and renewable energy.
3. Strengthening Institutional Partnerships
   We will deepen our collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, DFC, EDB, BOI, and other relevant bodies to support policy advocacy and implement impactful joint initiatives.

Throughout all our initiatives, we remain committed to capacity-building and member empowerment. I believe this Council can serve not only as a bridge between businesses but also as a catalyst for deeper bilateral cooperation between our two nations.

I look forward to working closely with each of you, our members, institutional partners, and the Secretariat team of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to elevate the Council to new heights.

I also wish to acknowledge the dedicated team at the Ceylon Chamber Secretariat for continued support.

I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the generous sponsors who made this evening and our ongoing activities possible.

Before I conclude, I would also like to take a moment to recognize Her Excellency Ambassador Julie J. Chung. As this may be the final AGM she attends during her tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, we offer our deepest appreciation for her unwavering support, her commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, and her genuine engagement with the Sri Lankan business community. On behalf of the Council, we wish her continued success and fulfillment in all her future endeavors.

Let us move forward with confidence and unity.

Thank you.