Sri Lanka – Korea Business Council holds 29th AGM

Seated (from left): Yashodha Fernando (The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce); Shamil Mendis-Vice President SLKBC; Miyon Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka); Asitha Martis-President, SLKBC; K. Kunendran (Abans PLC). Standing (from left): Priyantha Mendis - Immediate Past President, SLKBC; Vidura Palihakkara (Senok Trade Combine (Pvt) Ltd); Rohitha Mendis- Vice President, SLKBC; Jung Sohngyee -Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Korea; Patali Karunarathne-Treasurer, SLKBC; Byun Sung Chul- President of the Korean Resident Association; Mahesh Pasqual (Isuru Engineering (Pte) Ltd); Gayan Maddumarachchi (MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd); Sylvester Jayasundera (Transmarine (Pvt) Ltd).

The Sri Lanka-Korea Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (SLKBC) recently held its 29thAnnual General Meeting at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, with Miyon Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka, gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest.

In her address, the Ambassador commended SLKBC’s efforts in organizing events that foster a growing partnership between the business communities of Korea and Sri Lanka. She highlighted the progress being made in strengthening ties and emphasised Korea’s pivotal role in supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery through Sri Lankan worker employment opportunities and their remittance contributions, development assistance, and collaborative projects. The Ambassador also underscored the importance of creating a cohesive, investment-friendly environment to drive mutual prosperity and unity in the region.

Asitha Martis from Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd., was re-elected as the President of the Council. He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to promoting trade, tourism, and services between Sri Lanka and Korea. 

He enumerated the activities of the Council such as welcoming a delegation from Busan, Korea, in collaboration with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). This meeting resulted in an exchange of ideas, created a foundation for collaborative projects and stronger ties between Busan and Korea. Furthermore, the SLKBC organized a session on Korea’s Current Economy, Business Environment, and Opportunities for joint collaboration. 

Further a networking evening was conducted for members also attended by Diplomats and Government Officials, another eventwas one conducted in collaboration with the Council for Start-Ups navigating  Korean market segments and opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses, the Council also hosted a panel discussion titled “Sri Lanka’s Future-Forecast, Scenarios, and Challenges” featuring leading economists and attended by over 170 participants, and an event was organized to visit Port City Colombo, where members observed the potential for initiating projects and to present them to Korean companies. 

Martis therefore noted the significant progress made over the past year through key events and initiatives that have advanced SLKBC’s objectives.

The Committee appointed for 2024/2025 includes: President: Asitha Martis – Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd, Vice Presidents: Shamil Mendis – Spear International (Pvt) Ltd., and Rohitha Mendis – Prudential Shipping (Pvt) Ltd., Treasurer: Patali Karunarathne – Centrum Marine Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd. , Immediate Past President: Priyantha Mendis , Honorary Members: Prof. Lakshman Watawala and Mahen Kariyawasan, Committee Members: Representatives from Isuru Engineering (Pte) Ltd., MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., Prudential Shipping Lines (Pvt) Ltd., Senok Trade Combine (Pvt) Ltd., Transmarine (Pvt) Ltd., and Abans PLC.