Council sets second-decade agenda on two-way investment, ports, energy and the digital economy

The Sri Lanka-USA Business Council (SLUSABC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce marked a decade of service at its 10th Annual General Meeting, held on 14 October 2026 at Hilton Colombo Residences, with the new US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Eric Meyer, as Chief Guest. Members re-elected Mr. Tilak Gunawardana of MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd as President for a second term.

Ambassador highlights cooperation opportunities

The AGM was among Ambassador Meyer’s first engagements with Sri Lanka’s private sector. Welcoming him, Mr. Gunawardana also thanked former Ambassador Julie Chung, Chargé d’Affaires Jayne Howell and the Embassy team for their support through the transition.

Ambassador Meyer commended the Council’s work in building a stronger business environment and advancing intellectual property (IP) protection, which he noted are important to attracting US investment and growing bilateral trade. He highlighted opportunities to deepen commercial cooperation in technology, energy, infrastructure and logistics.

He encouraged Sri Lankan businesses to consider investing in the United States, including through the upcoming SelectUSA Investment Summit, and underscored that transparent, predictable regulation, strong IP rights and fair competition are the foundations of investor confidence.

A year of engagement

Reviewing his first term, Mr. Gunawardana said the Council’s work rested on three pillars: trade and market access, emerging sectors, and institutional partnerships. As US tariff changes put exporters under pressure, the Council worked with the Chamber, the Export Development Board (EDB), the US Embassy in Colombo and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington to keep members informed and bring the private sector’s voice into the national position. He said the current 10 percent tariff rate, the lowest bracket available, reflected a collective national effort, and paid tribute to Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, former Ambassador in Washington, who attended the AGM.

Highlights of the year included:

• SelectUSA: Member awareness sessions and participation in the Summit in Washington, D.C., alongside a strong Sri Lankan business delegation.
• IP Trade Corridor forum: Bringing enforcement agencies, Customs, industry and the legal profession together on IP protection as a precondition for quality investment.
• Youth and startups: Supporting youth and startup initiatives in Jaffna.
• Partnerships: Closer engagement with the Embassy’s Economic Section, the EDB and the Board of Investment (BOI), and a refreshed website and social media presence.

Looking ahead to the second decade

Mr. Gunawardana said the Council would now move “from responding to events to shaping opportunities,” with priorities including:

• A stable, durable bilateral trade framework.
• Helping members meet market-access standards, from supply-chain traceability to rules of origin.
• Championing two-way investment, building on SelectUSA.
• Working with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the BOI to bring US capital into energy, ports and logistics, and the digital economy.
• Opening opportunities for members in technology and services, maritime, renewable energy and education.
• Widening membership to more SMEs and young entrepreneurs.

Noting that the United States is Sri Lanka’s largest export market and stood by the country through its recovery and after Cyclone Ditwah, he said the business community must now turn that goodwill into trade, investment and jobs.

Office-bearers for 2026/2027

• President: Tilak Gunawardana, MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd
• Senior Vice President: Randeewa Malalasooriya, CBL Natural Foods (Pvt) Ltd
• Vice President: Tuan Farhath Armith, Fanam International (Pvt) Ltd
• Treasurer: Halin Hettigoda, Sampath Bank PLC

In closing, Mr. Gunawardana thanked the Executive Committee, the Chamber Secretariat, sponsors and members. “Ten years ago, this Council was founded on the belief that business can be a bridge between nations,” he said, adding that with a new Ambassador, a recovering economy and a deepening partnership, that belief “has never been more relevant.”