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inner steering committees

Steering Committees

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  • Steering Committees

 

  • Economic Policy
  • Taxation Steering
  • Legislation
  • Public Sector Reforms
  • Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
  • Digital Economy
  • Export Development
  • Climate Action
  • People Development
  • Investment Promotion
  • Law and Order

Economic Policy

Preamble

Sri Lanka seeks to grow its economy at a rapid pace of 7 to 8%+ in the medium term. The country aims to achieve higher levels of prosperity, alleviate absolute poverty, create new and better jobs, and raise living standards. Alongside economic growth, sustainability and inclusion/equity are also key public policy objectives.

In its role of being the voice of the private sector, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (“CCC”) believes that the highest priority should be accorded to national interests and that its obligation to address member concerns be discharged in a responsible manner. It is within these parameters that the mandate of the Steering Committees of the CCC has been identified

 
Terms of Reference

1. Keep under review all aspects of the performance of the national economy, with particular focus on macroeconomic fundamentals and identify in a timely manner interventions required to be pursued, to ensure that private sector concerns are communicated to the policy makers.

2. Submit reports periodically to the Committee of the Chamber, highlighting vital aspects of economic performance and emerging issues relating to the business environment.

3. Formulate submissions to be made through the CCC, to the Ministry of Finance, in the formulation of the Annual Budget.

4. Submit recommendations to the Chamber as to the steps that need to be taken to action the Chamber’s position on the economy

Chairperson

 
Mr. Suresh Shah
Chairman
Ceylon Tobacco Company
 
 
Mr. Manjula de Silva
CEO/Secretary General
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
 
 
Mr. Sujeewa Mudalige
CEO
PwC Sri Lanka
 
 
Mr. Murtaza Jafferjee
Managing Director
JB Securities
 
 
Ms. Kasturi Wilson
Group CEO
Hemas Holdings PLC
 
 
Mr. Gihan Cooray
Deputy Chairman
John Keels Holdings PLC
 
 
Mr. Tharindu Yapa Abeywardena
Head of Research
Sampath Bank PLC
 
 
Mr. Hiran Embuldeniya
Managing Partner
Ironwood Capital Partners
 
 
Mr. Maninda Wickramasinghe
Managing Director/CEO
Fitch Rating Lanka Ltd
 
 
Mr. Danushka Samarasinghe
Chief Strategy Officer & Director
NL Equities
 
 
Mr. Dumith Fernando
Executive Chairman
Asia Securities (Pvt) Ltd
 
 
Mr. Asoka Peiris
Managing Director
Cargills Foods Company Ltd
 
 
Mr. Rizvi Zaheed
Director
Vidullanka PLC
 
 
Mr. Zureish Hashim
Directort
Development Interplan (Ceylon) Ltd
 
 
Ms. Shiromal Cooray
Managing Director
Jetwing Travels Sri Lanka
 
 
Ms. Subhashini Abeysinghe
Research Director
Verite Research
 
 
Mr. Deshal de Mel
Research Director
Verite Research
 
 
Dr. Asanka Wijesinghe
Research Fellow
Institute of Policy Studies
 
 
Mr. Nalin Karunaratne
CEO
Ceylon Biscuits Limited
 
 
Mr. Amal Sanderatne
CEO/Founder
Frontier Research
 
 
Mr. Sarva Ameresekera
Group Executive Director
George Steuart and Company Ltd
 
 
Mr. Suren Rajakarier
Partner/ Chief Operating Officer
KPMG Sri Lanka
 

Taxation Steering

Preamble

Taxation is a key source of revenue for Government and is also an important issue in doing business. Sri Lanka has one of the lowest tax-GDP ratios among its peers and has consistently struggled with low revenue collection. At the same time, complexities in the tax system have hurt compliance and also placed costs on business. Expanding revenue with limited constraints to entrepreneurship is a key goal of good tax policy.

In its role of being the voice of the private sector, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (“CCC”) believes that the highest priority should be accorded to national interests and that its obligation to address member concerns be discharged in a responsible manner. It is within these parameters that the mandate of the Steering Committees of the CCC has been identified.

 
Terms of Reference

1. Keep under review the tax regime applicable in Sri Lanka with particular focus on changes which impact on the private sector, and identify interventions required to be pursued, to ensure that private sector concerns are communicated to the policy makers.

2. Submit reports periodically to the Committee of the Chamber, highlighting vital aspects relating to the tax regime and emerging issues relating to the business environment.

3. Formulate submissions to be made through the CCC to the Ministry of Finance, in the formulation of the annual Budget, with regard to matters relating to tax.

4. Submit recommendations to the CEO of the Chamber as to steps that need to be taken to action the Chamber’s position with regard to matters relating to taxation.

Chairperson

 
Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa
Partner
Ernst & Young
 

Members

 
Ms. Nilanthi Sivapragasam
Chief Financial Officer
Aitken Spence PLC
 
 
Ms. Shamila Jayasekera
Head of Tax
KPMJ Sri Lanka
 
 
Mr N R Gajendran
Senior Partner
Gajma & Co Chartered Accountants
 
 
Mr. Naomal Gunawardena
Partner
Nithya Partners
 
 
Mr. Amal Badugodahewa
MDirector – Tax
Carsons Cumberbatch PLC
 
 
Ms Nisreen Rehmanjee
Head of Tax Strategy
John Keells Holdings PLC
 
 
Mr Aruna Deepthikumara
Group Chief Financial Officer
Sunshine Holdings
 
 
Mr Amila Samaranayake
Chief Financial Officer
Hemas Holdings PLC Hemas Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd
 
 
Ms. Rochelle Perera
Manager - Taxation
Unilever Sri Lanka
 
 
Ms Charmaine Tillekeratne
Director - Tax Services
PricewaterhouseCoopers
 
 
Mr Jehan Perinpanayagam
Vice Chairman
SLASSCOM (and CEO Infomate)
 
 
Mr Trinesh Fernando
General Counsel / Vice President - Group Legal and Regulatory, Dialog Axiata PLC
 
 
Ms Thilani Perera
Chief Manager - Tax and Finance
Commercial Bank
 
 
Ms. Samanthi Kariyawasam
Director – Finance
Heineken Lanka Limited
 
 
Mr Nilam Jayasinghe
Group Finance Director
Ceylon Biscuits Limited
 
 
Mr Aruna Deepthikumara
Group Chief Financial Officer
Sunshine Holdings
 
 
Mr Shavindra Samaratunga
Head - Group Tax
Hayleys PLC
 
 
Mr Sanjeewa Anthony
Executive Director
Jetwing Hotels
 

Legislation

Preamble

Sri Lanka is a middle income country seeking rapid economic growth through an ambitious development agenda focused on attracting investment. The envisaged growth is sometimes sought to be achieved through the enactment of statutes that provide for a legal basis to implement some of the development plans of Government. In addition, there are other areas of relevance to the private sector such as in the area of Constitutional making, in respect of which law reform is contemplated. As a responsible entity the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (“CCC”) needs to keep these legislative developments under review.

In its role of being the voice of the private sector, the CCC believes that the highest priority should be accorded to national interests and that its obligation to address member concerns be discharged in a responsible manner. It is within these parameters that the mandate of the Steering Committees of the CCC has been identified.

 
Terms of Reference

1. Keep under review all draft legislation and Bills with special emphasis on matters relevant to the private sector and identify interventions required to be pursued, to ensure that private sector concerns are communicated to the policy makers.

2. Submit reports periodically to the Committee of the CCC, highlighting vital aspects relating to matters relevant to the private sector and emerging issues relating to the business environment.

3. Identify through a process of consultations with all stakeholders, proposals for law reform to be submitted to Government.

4. Submit recommendations to the CEO of the CCC as to steps that need to be taken to action the position of the CCC, with regard to matters relating to proposed legislation.

 
Ms. Dilani Alagarathnam (Chairman)
Board member
CCC-ICLP International ADR Centre

Public Sector Reforms

Key focus

Review the current processes within Government to identify those which militate against an efficient discharge of functions that affect commercial activity. Review the current Government Procurement guidelines and identify areas where improvements or revisions are required to ensure good decision making, transparency and efficiency. Examine financial and other features of State-Owned Enterprises and recommend measures to improve their performance and contribution to the national economy. Review the implementation of governance policies within the government and propose reforms

Building a public sector that is efficient, transparent and citizen centric, to support the development goals of Sri Lanka.

This NAC is in the process of identifying some of the key issues/challenges in the Public sector and is working towards building a model for the Public Sector which is pragmatic and results-oriented. So, that it will enable an efficient, transparent and citizen centric Public Sector to support development goals of Sri Lanka.

 
Terms of Reference

1. Review the current processes within Government to identify those which militate against an efficient discharge of functions that affect commercial activity. Review the current Government Procurement guidelines and identify areas where improvements or revisions are required to ensure good decision making, transparency and efficiency. Examine financial and other features of State-Owned Enterprises and recommend measures to improve their performance and contribution to the national economy. Review the implementation of governance policies within the government and propose reforms

Chairperson

 
Mr Suresh Shah
Former Chairman
Chamber of Commerce/Chairman, Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC
 

Members

 
Mr Manjula de Silva
Secretary General/CEO
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
 
 
Mr. Wasantha Deshapriya
Former Secretary
Ministry of Telecommunications & Digital Infrastructure
 
 
Mr Sheran Fernando
Managing Director
Innosolve Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
 
 
Mr Ravi Abeysuriya
Group Director
Candor Holdings Sri Lanka
 
 
Dr Malathy Knight
Research Associate
Verité Research (Pvt) Ltd
 
 
Dr Roshan Perera
Senior Research Fellow
Advocata Institute
 
 
Mr. Sunil Hettiarachchi
Former Secretary
Ministry of Education
 
 
Mr D C Dissanayake
Former Secretary
Ministry of Higher Education and Highways
 
 
Mr Ranjith Fernando
Former Secretary
Ministry of Industrial Policy, Investment Promotion, and Entrepreneurship Development
 

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

 
The National Agenda Committee on Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in stimulating sustainable economic growth and fostering prosperity of nations. Entrepreneurship contributes to the creation of wealth, generation of new jobs, improvement of standards of living, promotion of innovations and many more areas of societal development. Entrepreneurs accelerate the process of economic development through maximum efficient utilization of unutilized natural resources, human resources and capital. Given their benefits, it is vital to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs – both job creators and entrepreneurial employees. The creation of a sound entrepreneurship ecosystem that addresses current impediments and challenges is the need of today. It is the responsibility of the private sector to contribute towards the creation of such an ecosystem. That is the role that is envisaged of the NAC on Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.

Chair

 
Mr. Rajendra Theagarajah
Former Chairman
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce

Digital Economy

Key focus
 

The role of the National Agenda Committee on Digital Economy is to drive the Chamber’s efforts towards driving digitization and advocating for resolving policy, regulatory, and operational constraints affecting innovation led development and to be proactive in pursuing the use of Big data, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and other such developments in order to contribute to national economic development.

Co-Chair

 
Mr. Sanjiva Weerawarana
Founder, Chairman & Chief Architect
Lanka Software Foundation
 
 
Mr. Supun Weerasinghe
Director/ Group Chief Executive Officer
Dialog Axiata PLC
 

Members

 
Mr. Chinthi Weerasinghe
Chief Executive Officer
Mitra Innovation Digital Solutions
 
 
Mr. Ashique Ali
SLASSCOM Vice Chairman / Managing Director, Talliance (Pvt) Ltd
 
 
Firaz Markar
Partnerships and Alliances
Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
 
 
Ganaka Herath
Partner
McKinsey & Company
 
 
Mr Harsha Purasinghe
Founder/CEO
MiHCM
 
 
 
Mr. Hasitha Abeywardena
Director
Accura-tech
 
 
Jayomi Lokuliyana
Co-Founder / Chief Executive Officer
zMessenger (Pvt) Ltd
 
 
Jeevan Gnanam
Executive Director
St. Anthony’s Industries Group
 
 
Mr. Madu Ratnahyake
EVP,Chief Information Officer & Head of Business Process Excellence Virtusa
 
 
Nissanga Warnapura
Director Strategic Brands Hela Clothing/ Managing Director Wilton Metal box Co (Pvt) Ltd, Founder, 3D Concept Studio co (Pvt) Ltd
 
 
Nuwan Senaratna
Director
Accura-tech
 
 
Prasad Samarasinghe
Managing Director
Lanka Bell
 
 
Mr. Sachindra Samararatne
Director Strategic Brands Hela Clothing/ Managing Director Wilton Metal box Co (Pvt) Ltd, Founder, 3D Concept Studio co (Pvt) Ltd
 
 
Mr. Samath Fernando
CEO
H One
 
 
Sankalpa Gamwarige
General Manager/ Vice President Engineering
Zone 24/7 (Pvt) Ltd
 
 
Mr. Priyanka Jayatilake
Partner- Head of Advisory
KPMG in Sri Lanka
 

Export Development

 
Terms of Reference

1. Members are required to keep the committee updated on the overall performance of the economy related to exports with in-depth input on their respective export sectors in a timely manner. Formulate periodic reports and recommendations to the Chamber Board on export performance and emerging issues relating to the business environment. Assist in formulating the Chamber’s position on export and related aspects of trade and, upon request, provide input for broader advocacy efforts of the Chamber such as recommendations for the National Budget.

2. The Committee is required to make submissions to policy makers and other key stakeholders recommending interventions for improvement in exports (including export sectors), trade and the economy.

 

 

Chairperson

 
Vinod Hirdaramani
Director
Hirdaramani Group
 

Members

 
Mr. Aruna Warnakulasooriya
Director
Midaya Ceramics
 
 
Mr. Channa Manoharan
Chief Operating Officer / Advisory Leader
Price Waterhouse Coopers, Sri Lanka
 
 
Ms. Nadie Kahatapitiya Algama
Director Marketing & Strategy
KIK (Pvt) Ltd
 
 
Mr Rajitha Kariyawasam
Managing Director
Haycarb
 
 
Mr. Saiffudin Jafferjee
Managing Director
Lanka Garments Mfg Co Ltd
 
 
Mr. Sanjaya Herath
Chairman
Tea Exporters Association
 
 
Ms. Subhashini Abeysinghe
Research Director
Verite Research
 
 
Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakse
Chairman
People’s Bank
 
 
Mr. Suren Fernando
Chief Executive Officer
MAS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd
 

Climate Action

 
Terms of Reference

1. Advise the Chamber on policy recommendations to the Government and private sector on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Formulate submissions to be made through the Chamber with regard to policy interventions that are needed at national level to manage the adverse impacts of climate change. Advise the Chamber on meaningful actions that can be taken to promote the Agenda for Sustainable Development by mobilizing the Private Sector.

 

 

Chairperson

 
Dilhan Fernando
CEO
Dilmah Tea
 

Members

 
Mr. Shahid Sangani
CEO
Coenergi
 
 
Mr. Dhanujie Jayapala
Head of Environment Sustainability at MAS Group
 
 
Mr. Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne
Managing Director, FMCG, Hemas Holdings
 
 
Dr. Anush Amarasinghe
CEO/MD
BPPL Holdings
 
 
Mr. Sheran Fernando
Independent Director, Co-Founder, and Consultant · INNOSOLVE LANKA (PVT) LTD
 
 
Ms. Shiranee Yasaratne
Advisory
Biodiversity Sri Lanka
 
 
Dr. Vidhura Ralapanawe
Energy Expert
 
 
Mr. Adheesha Perera
Senior Manager, Sustainable Banking
SDB
 
 
Mr. Fazal Fausz
Managing Director
Rainco
 
 
Mr. Subra Eassuwaren
Co-Founder
Carbon Consulting and Deputy Chairman
 
 
Dr. Ananda Mallawatantri
Country Representative
IUCN Sri Lanka
 
 
Dr. Kiran Dhanapala
International Sustainability & Environmental Consultant
 

People Development

 
Terms of Reference

1. Advise the Chamber on policy recommendations to Government and private sector on education, skills and talent development. Formulate submissions to be made through the Ceylon Chamber with regard to policy interventions that are needed at the National level in order to ensure people development strategies are aligned with the needs of a growing economy, and advising the Chamber on meaningful action that can be taken to promote the Agenda for People Development by mobilizing the Private Sector.

 

 

Chairperson

 
Prof Malik Ranasinghe
Former Chairman, Sampath Bank, UGC Member
 

Members

 
Ms. Chiranthi Cooray
Chief Transformation Officer
Hatton National Bank PLC
 
 
Ms. Chandi Dharmaratne
Vice President, Human Resources
Virtusa
 
 
Ms. Isuru Thilakawardena
Deputy General Manager HR/Chief HR Officer
Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
 
 
Ms. Darshi Talpahewa
Group Head of Legal and HR
Hayleys Group
 
 
Ms. Imani Perera
Head of Learning and Development
John Keells Holdings PLC
 
 
Mr. Harsha Alles
Chairman
Gateway International School
 
 
Prof. Chaminda Rathnayake
Deputy Vice Chancellor
NSBM
 
 
Dr. Ananda Jayawardena
Director
Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
 
 
Mr. Arujna Herath
Partner Consulting
Ernst & Young
 

Investment Promotion

 

Advise the Chamber on policy recommendations to Government and private sector on strategies for investment promotion. Formulate submissions to be made through the CCC with regard to policy interventions that are needed at national level to ensure investment promotion strategies are aligned with the need to generate a significant volume of FDI. On the back of the successful Sri Lanka Investment Forum (SLIF), to guide the Chamber in terms of the next stage of developing SLIF as a portal for continuous engagement with prospective investors. Advocate solutions to resolve constraints related to investment promotion and facilitation (domestic and foreign).

 

 

Chairman

 
Dr Hans Wijayasuriya
Joint acting Group Chief Executive Officer, Axiata Group Bhd and Past Chairman, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
 

Members

 
Mr. Thulci Aluwihara
Assistant Managing Director
CHEC Port City Colombo
 
 
Ms. Ruwani Munasinghe
Head of Investment
China Harbor
 
 
Mr. Sujeewa Mudalige
Managing Partner/CEO-Sri Lanka & Maldives
PricewaterhouseCoopers
 
 
Mr. Reyaz Mihular
Former Managing Partner/Country Head KPMG
 
 
Mr. Arjuna Herath
Partner Consulting
Ernst & Young
 
 
Mr. Dee Liyanwela
Global Head of Shared Services
LSEG
 
 
Ms. Srimathi Shivashankar
Corporate Vice President and Program Director, New Vistas, HCL
 
 
Ms. Niloo Jayatilake
Head-Investments at Softlogic Holdings Plc
 
 
Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike
CEO
CSE
 
 
Ms. Hajar Alafifi
Chairperson Unilever Sri Lanka
 
 
Mr. Felix Fernando
Group Director
Omega Line
 
 
Mr. Bingumal Thewarathanthri
Chief Executive Officer, Sri Lanka – SCB
 
 
Ms. Maud Meijboom-van Wel
Managing Director
Heineken Lanka Limited
 

Law and Order

 
 
Terms of Reference

Advice the Chamber on policy recommendations to the Government on matters relating to law and order and national security. Advise the Chamber on meaningful actions that can be taken to prevent any adverse developments that can result in a re-emergence of ethnic violence, terrorism, war, etc. Advocate actions to promote harmony between ethnic, religious, and other sections of the community.

 

 

Chairperson

 
Mr Deva Rodrigo
Former Chairman
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
 

Members

 
Mr. Vish Govindasamy
Chairman, Sunshine Holdings, PLC and Chairman, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
 
 
Mr. Husein Esufally
Chairman
Hemas Group
 
 
DIG (Retd.) M.R. Latiff
 
 
Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Abeywickrama
 
 
Admiral (Retd.) Jayantha Perera
 
 
Prof. Rohan Gunaratna
Director
Institute of National Security Studies in Sri Lanka
 
 
Mr. Mano Sekaram
CEO
99X Technology Ltd
 
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