ECCSL President Hatem Rajabdeen

Sri Lanka Logistics and Freight Forwarders Association

The Sri Lanka Logistics and Freight Forwarders Association (SLFFA) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the newly appointed President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Secretary to President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. 

This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a new chapter for the nation and the SLFFA is confident that under the president’s leadership, Sri Lanka will move towards a future of prosperity, unity and progress. 
Established in 1981, the SLFFA represents the collective interests of the logistics and freight forwarding industry, a vital sector in Sri Lanka’s economy. As the apex body, the SLFFA remains committed to working closely with the government to strengthen the country’s logistics infrastructure and elevate standards in the industry. 
We believe that the president’s vision and leadership will pave the way for sustainable growth, enhanced trade and a better quality of life for all Sri Lankans. 

We look forward to supporting the government in its efforts to build a stronger, more resilient nation and to contribute to the realisation of the president’s agenda for economic recovery and development. 

On behalf of the entire logistics and freight forwarding community, we wish the president every success in this significant role. We are optimistic about the positive change this new era will bring to our country and its people.

Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association 

The Executive Committee and members of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you on assuming the well-deserved prime minister of our country. 
Your appointment as the 16th and third woman to serve in this capacity in Sri Lanka’s history is seen as a significant step forward for gender representation in our country’s politics and is expected to inspire a new generation of female leaders.

The FTZMA, the leading trade chamber for companies under the Board of Investment (BOI) in Sri Lanka, was established in 1981, shortly after the inception of the first major Free Trade Zone. Representing over 1500 enterprises, we regularly address common issues in coordination with the BOI and other state agencies. We diligently ensure the well-being of our employees while supporting investors and ensuring smooth operations, fostering substantial foreign direct investments (FDIs), creating jobs and contributing significantly to the nation’s GDP.

As a key player in the national economy, the FTZMA not only provides direct and indirect employment but also supports thousands of livelihoods. We eagerly anticipate close collaboration with you as our new president and with the government to reinforce disciplined and effective work practices in all government institutions, including the BOI, through progressive fiscal policies aimed at attracting increased FDI into the country. We have no doubt that you would steer the country as our new PM with several ministerial portfolios, leading to gradual and systematic progress for the country in the coming years. We are fully committed to support your government in achieving these goals at all times.

We look forward to meeting you and working with you and your team to deepen our ties. Please accept our best wishes for your good health and success.

Sri Lanka Chamber of Medical Devices Industry

Dear Mr. President,

I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations on your appointment as the ninth executive president of Sri Lanka. Your election reflects the trust and hope of the people in your leadership.

The Sri Lanka Chamber of Medical Devices Industry (SLCMDI), which represents over 75 companies in our sector, reaches out to emphasise our commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery across the country. We actively collaborate with key stakeholders, including Sri Lanka Customs, National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), Biomedical Engineering, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), Medical Supplies Division, Treasury and Health Ministry. Our goal is to address the common challenges faced by our members and improve healthcare outcomes for all Sri Lankans.

We look forward to working closely with the new Health Minister and urge your attention to the need for greater visibility and transparency at the NMRA through the digitisation process. We believe that issuance of new tender and contract documents will enhance the fairness and competitiveness of the tender bidding process at SPC. Removing VAT and SSCL from registered medical devices could indeed help alleviate financial pressures on patients. This change could make essential medical products more affordable, ensuring that people have better access to necessary treatments and care.

We are eager to contribute to these improvements and collaborate for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders.
Wishing you all the best in your leadership.

European Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka 

The European Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (ECCSL) congratulates Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election and inauguration as President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.The recent presidential elections held on September 21 witnessed a remarkable display of democratic engagement, with high voter turnout, reflecting the people’s commitment to shaping their nation’s future. The peaceful conduct of the elections underscores the resilience of Sri Lanka’s democratic processes.

ECCSL President Hatem Rajabdeen clearly stated that Europe is a key trade partner for Sri Lanka dominated by exports in the manufacturing sector, agro, trade and service-related exports, which are key to our economy and have been growth areas over the years.

The ECCSL is particularly encouraged by President Dissanayake’s vision for the future of Sri Lanka. We believe his leadership will further enhance our long-standing trade, investment and sustainable development partnership. The European Union’s EOM’s preliminary report has highlighted areas for improvement, including political finance transparency and the empowerment of women in political life. We urge continued focus on these important aspects to foster an inclusive and equitable society.

As Sri Lanka embarks on this new chapter, the ECCSL remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote economic recovery and inclusive growth. We look forward to supporting President Dissanayake and his administration to realise these goals

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We would like to also thank outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his efforts over the last two years, including the negotiations with the IMF. We are hopeful that President Dissanayake will continue and improve on this by bringing in stability to the people of Sri Lanka based on key pillars of good governance, transparency, inclusivity and eliminating corruption.