The Sri Lanka – China Business Council (SLCHBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held its 25th Annual General Meeting recently, marking a quarter-century of partnership and reaffirming its commitment to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation with China.
Haroun Cader, outgoing President of the SLCHBC, delivered his farewell address after two years at the helm of the Council. He reflected on key milestones of his tenure, including the Sri Lanka-China Trade and Investment Forum, which brought together more than one hundred Chinese delegates and a broad cross-section of Sri Lankan industry, and the Renminbi Internationalization Forum held in October 2025, which explored wider use of the Chinese currency in bilateral trade to reduce conversion and transaction costs. He Cader acknowledged the continuing trade imbalance between the two countries and called on Sri Lanka to identify more competitive export products and services while encouraging investment that creates employment, transfers technology, and strengthens local industries.
Incoming President Sampath Kumara, in his inaugural address, outlined the Council’s future plans which include focusing on supporting the successful implementation of the Sri Lanka-China Bilateral Trade Agreement, sharpening business-matching efforts between Sri Lankan and Chinese companies and attracting greater Chinese investment into joint ventures that combine Sri Lankan expertise with Chinese technology and market access.
The Executive Committee for 2026/27 comprises: President – Sampath Kumara, Senior Vice President – Chandrika Ranawaka, Vice President Mohamed Hameez, Treasurer Adheesha Salpitikorala, Immediate Past President Haroun Cader. committee members – Dulith Ahangama, Samuddika Mendis, Anil Koswatta, Bharatha Subasinghe, Damith Jayawardana, Lushan Nalinda Rizwan Jowhersha, Rajeeban Arumugam, and Rakitha De Silva. The Council also welcomed Dr. Lasantha Wickramasooriya, Jay Ong, Chaminda Perera, Ted Muttiah, and Prabath Harshakumar as Honorary Members.
The SLCHBC continues to play a critical role in fostering trade, investment, innovation, and sustainable partnerships between Sri Lanka and China.
For more information on obtaining membership of the SLCHBC, please contact:
Council Secretariat
📧 industry@chamber.lk
📞 0115588856