The need for Sri Lanka to focus more strongly on developing and liberalizing international trade in order to embark on a positive path to recovery, was expressed by the High Commissioners for Australia and New Zealand to Sri Lanka, at the 24^th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Australia  New Zealand Business Council (SLANZBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Committing strong support to assisting Sri Lanka to emerge from the economic crisis and move into recovery mode, Australian High Commissioner His Excellency Paul Stephens and New Zealand High Commissioner His Excellency Michael Appleton said that opportunities for development in sectors such as education and tourism and implementing agreements such as Preferential Trade Agreements will be promoted and supported by the two countries.

President of SLANZBC Ruwan Rajapakse who was re-elected for the year 2022/23 said the Council would continue to play an integral role in promoting Bilateral Trade, Investment, Technical & Economic Co – Operation, Tourism and Services between Sri Lanka & Australia and Sri Lanka & New Zealand.

The positive sentiments were supported by Guest Speaker Amal Sanderatne, Founder and Chief Executive of Frontier Research, who addressed the audience on ‘Sri Lankan Economy Situation & Opportunities in Australia and New Zealand’, expressing confidence that ‘given Sri Lanka’s long-term story, backed by data, a growth trajectory on a recovery path’ is on the cards.

The following Executive Council Members were elected for the year 2022/2023 at the 24^th Annual General Meeting:

Vice-Presidents – Mr. Jehan Perinpanayagam of Infomate (Pvt) Ltd, Ms. Udara Cumaratunga of South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Sampath Jayasundara of hSenid Business Solutions, Mr. Renuke Coswatte of Sri Lanka Hospitality Consultants.

Committee Ms. Subitha Maxi of AG International, Mr. Kingsley Abeywickrama of CMA CGM Lanka, Dr. Dhananjay Kulkarni of Eduko Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Emil Kronemberg of E C D Global, Mr. Ruwan Kumara of Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Ms. Jayanthi Dharmasena of Hayleys Agriculture Holdings Ltd, Mr. Chandana Amaradasa of Island Leisure Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Lionel D C Silva of Lidechsi Group of Companies, Mr. Gerard Victoria of Qantas Airways Ltd, Mr. M H K M Hameez of Spillburg Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., while Mr. Delano Dias of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC joined the Executive Committee in his capacity as the Immediate Past President.