Luncheon Speakers
AmCham’s monthly luncheons feature high-profile member of the business/political community addressing the membership of issues of pressing concern. Recent speakers have included Dr P.B Jayasundera , secretary to the treasury , United Nations Resident Coordinator Mr Neil Buhne, European Union Ambassador Mr Bernard SAVAGE, U.S Ambassador Patricia. A. Butenis ,Professor Arnold Harberger, Chief Economic Advisor to USAID and Professor of Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles, Group Director of MAS Holdings and Head of the MAS Intimates Division Dian Gomes, Dr. Koshy Mathai, IMF Resident Representative for Sri Lanka & the Maldives, Mr. Jayampathy Bandaranayake, Chairman/Director General, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence.

Luncheon events are regularly attended by AmCham members and are an excellent opportunity for networking

 

US Consular Briefings
The US Embassy in Colombo conducts briefings with the business community at large through AmCham. Issues such as bilateral trade, security issues for US companies in Sri Lanka and the US stance on local political issues are discussed so that members can stay informed with up to date news from the US Government’s perspective.

 

Industry Sector ‘Teas' with US Ambassador
The US Ambassador in Sri Lanka regularly meets with AmCham members representing different sectors in an informal, intimate setting to discuss issues of relevance to their industry. Such events are important to Embassy personnel and members alike, as it keeps both parties abreast of industry happenings and helps direct resources for lobbying and activism, if necessary. Successful sector teas have included events for the Apparel, IT, Financial ,F&B and Gem & Jewellery sectors of the AmCham membership.

 

Professional Development Seminars
The Chamber conducts various workshops to aid the professional development of its members and the staff of their organizations. Visiting professors and industry specialists facilitate seminars aimed at enhancing business and interpersonal skills. These seminars are often conducted jointly with professional management training organizations.

 

CEO Forums
On a bi-annual basis, AmCham invites the major players in local commerce and industry for discourse on the state of affairs of the country, the investment climate etc., providing business leaders an opportunity to share information relevant to the business community as a whole.

 

Ambassador’s Ball
The 13th Annual Ambassador’s Ball, held in May this year, features prominently on the local social calendar. This is an extremely well attended gala dinner, which aims to bring together the entire membership for one very memorable evening..

 

Charity Golf Tournament
AmCham’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament is a much anticipated event in local business and golf circles. Several million rupees have been raised from past tournaments, benefiting a wide range of charities. The 2009 tournament was a great success, with the proceeds benefiting the Castle Street Maternity Hospital, The tournament was followed by a cocktail and awards ceremony.

 

Networking Happy Hours
Networking Happy Hour was a new initiative by AMCHAM to promote fellowship among its members. The first such event was held at the Colombo Hilton where more than 60 members and guests attended the evening. Her Excellency Patricia A Butenis U.S Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives was also present along with Valerie C Fowler Deputy Chief of Mission and Embassy officials.

 

 

 

Cocktail Mixers
AmCham regularly schedules evening cocktails to help foster relations among AmCham members.

Regional Events
AmCham Sri Lanka members are strongly encouraged to attend meetings of regional AmChams from within APCAC, when visiting those countries. Click on the websites of other AmChams in Asia if you plan to travel in the Asia Pacific region and want to know about networking opportunities in the cities you will visit. AmCham members are welcome to attend member functions at any ACHAM in the Asia-Pacific region at local member rates.

Press Conference
U.S Ambassador Patricia A Butenis hosted the Amcham Board and the Print and Electronic Media at a press conference at her official residence Jefferson House, on Monday, 22nd March 2010. Representatives of media organisations were briefed on Amcham and its activities and on upcoming AmCham events. Amcham President Moji Akingbade presented the first ticket for the Ambassador's Ball and the first copy of AmCham’s new Membership Directory for 2009/2010, to her Excellency during the event. The event concluded with a question and answer session, at which the Ambassador and AmCham Board Members participated.

 

Amcham Roundtable Discussions
Amcham organizes roundtable discussion on topics that are of interest to its members. The first such discussion, on the tourism industry and themed, 2.5 million tourist arrivals by 2016 - The Challenge to Demand Drive Arrivals, took place on

Wednesday, February 24, 2010. Stakeholders representing all sectors of the tourism industry participated in the discussions. The Panelists were industry experts, Renton De Alwis, Prema Cooray, Srilal Miththapala and the Economic Advisor to the Strategic Enterprise Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Ranjith Bandara. Ranel Wijesinha, Chartered Accountant and Management Consultant moderated the sessions. The Roundtable was attended by over 80 participants.

 

AmCham India & AmCham Sri Lanka Breakfast Meeting
11th October 2010

AmCham India Delegates:

Mr. Narayanan Ramaswamy, Executive Director, KPMG Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Nitin Kulkarni, Director – Corporate Affairs, Mars International India Private Limited, Mr. Sherwyn Xavier, Market Manager – Indian Sub-Continent, Mars International India Private Limited, Mr. Mahinda Halangode, Country Leader for Sri Lanka, E. I. DuPont India Private Limited, Mr. Deepak Jolly, Vice President-Public Affairs & Communication, Coca-Cola India, Ms. Madhvi Kataria Deputy Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce in India, Mr. Alok Upadhyaya, Head GIS, Navayuga Engineering Company Limited

AmCham Sri Lanka Board Members:

Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake, President - AmCham, Managing Director, Zodiac Medicals (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Glen Rase – Director/Treasurer, AmCham, Country Head & CEO, Citibank, N.A, Mr. Suresh De Mel, Director –AmCham, Managing Director, Lanka Fishing Flies Ltd, Mr. Asanka Ratnayake , Director - AmCham, Director, Mountain Hawk Express (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Suren Rajanathan, Director - AmCham, Vice President, 3M Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Mustanser Ali Khan, Director-AmCham, Managing Director/CEO, Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC, Mr. Chullantē Jayasuriya, Executive Director, AmCham – Sri Lanka

US Embassy: Mr. Edward Heartney, Chief Economic & Commercial Affairs, Embassy of the United States of America, Mr. Michael Delaney, Assistant US Trade Representative

Road Show – “Doing Business”
15th October 2010

Attended by:

Mr. Michael Delaney, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, Ms. Jeevani Siriwardena, Director – Export Development Board, Mr. Ken Kero-Mentz, Economic Office, U.S. Embassy, Colombo, Ms Aileen Nandi, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, U.S. Consulate, Chennai, India, Ambassador Jaliya Wickremasuriya, Ms Glynis Long, Export Development Specialist , U.S. Small Business Administration, Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake, AmCham President

 

 

“Protecting Sri Lankan Familes from Counterfeit Drugs”
17th October 2010

Attended by:

Her Excellency Patricia Butenis, Ambassador of the United States of America, Honorable Maithripala, Minister of Health, Mr. Stuart Chappman, vice President, Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI), Dr. D. M. Karunaratne, Director General, National Intellectual Property Office, Dr. B. V. S.H. Beneragama, Director, Medical Technology & Supplies, Ministry of Health & Director, Drugs Regulatory Authority, Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake, President, AmCham, Dr. Ravindra Ruberu, Secretary, Ministry of Health

 

11th AmCham Suntel Press Briefing held on 20th October 2010 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club.

Attended by:

Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake, President - AmCham, Mr. Primal Wijayanayake, Chairman - Golf Committee, Mr. Remaz Ghouse, Chief Operating Officer, Havelock City, Mr. Jerry Huxtable, Managing Director, Suntel (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Sanjiv Vairavanathan, Vice Captain Golf Club

 

11th AmCham Suntel Golf Tournament held on 30th October 2010 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club

 

Amcham CSR Initiative for flood Victims in Pakistan

As one of its CSR initiatives, the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham) presented a consignment of tea to the High Commissioner for Pakistan, Her Excellency, Seema Illahi Baloch, on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, for distribution among those affected by the floods.

The photograph shows the AmCham President, Vijaya Ratnayake handing over a token package of tea to the High Commissioner. Also in the photograph are Mustanser Ali Khan, Chairman CSR Committee and Director AmCham, James Yamanaka, Director Designate AmCham, Muhammad Daud Ehtisham, Press Attache, Pakistan High Commission and Chullantè Jayasuriya, Executive Director, AmCham

National Chamber signs an MOU with the American Chamber

An MOU between the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) and American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham) was signed on Wednesday 9th February 2011. Mr. Asoka Hettigoda, President of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and Mr. Vijaya M.B. Ratnayake, President of the American Chamber of Commerce signed on behalf of the two organizations respectively.

From left to right: Mr. Chullantē Jayasuriya, Executive Director-AmCham, Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake – President AmCham, Mr. Asoka Hettigoda – President, NCCSL , Mr. Sujeiva Samaraweera, Hony. Secretary NCCSL and Mr. E.M. Wijetilleke, Secretary General/CEO, NCCSL

 

Signing of MOU between Sri Lanka Foundation and the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka on 14th February 2011

From Left: Mr. Kenneth A Kero-Mentz, Commercial Attache and Economic Affairs, US Embassy, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa , Chairman - Sri Lanka Tourism, Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake , President AmCham and Dr. Ranjith Bandara, Chairman - Sri Lanka Foundation

 

From Left:. Dr. Nalaka Godahewa , Chairman - Sri Lanka Tourism, Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake, President AmCham and Dr. Ranjith Bandara, Chairman – Sri Lanka Foundation

 

From Left: Dr. Nalaka Godahewa – Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism, Dr. Ranjith Bandara, Chairman – Sri Lanka Foundation, Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake, President AmCham and Mr. Kenneth A Kero-Mentz, Commercial Attache and Economic Affairs, US Embassy

 

AmCham CSR initiative to establishing a Computer Room at St. Mary’s College Mattakuliya, on 15th February 2011

Welcoming Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake, President AmCham

 

Unveiling the Plaque by Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake, President AmCham

Opening the Computer Room by Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake, President AmCham and Sanjeewani Ranasinghe, member of the CSR Committee

 

Lighting the oil lamp by Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake, President AmCham

 

Lighting the Oil Lamp by Mr. Mustanser Ali Khan , member of the CSR Committee

 

St. Mary’s College Computer Room

 

The Plaque to commemorate the opening of the Computer Room at St. Mary’s College

 

Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake addressing the students of St. Mary’s College

 

Students of St. Mary’s College Mattakuliya

 

AmCham Tea
Mr. David Thomas, Global Head, Country Human Resources, Standard Chartered Bank addressed AmCham members on March 29, 2011 on “The Power of Engagement – Achieving Continuous Performance”. Mr. Thomas’ address was followed by panel discussion with Panelists Mr. Surenn De Chickera, Vice President HR & Corporate Communications, Nestle Lanka Ltd., Mr. Shakthi Ranatunga, Group HR Director – MAS Holdings, Ms. Madhavi Lall - Regional Head, HR, India & South Asia Standard Chartered Bank, and Mr. Vijaya Ratnayake, President of AmCham. The moderator for the panel discussion was Dr. Ajantha Dharmasiri, Senior Faculty Member and Management Consultant, Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

 

Business Delegation
U.S State Department officials, Mr. Atul Keshap, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Acting, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and Mr. Nolan Klein, Desk Officer for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Affairs, accompanied by Mr. Edward Heartney, Chief, Economic & Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy and Karen A. Kuzis, Political Officer - Second Secretary, U.S. Embassy, met with AmCham Board Members on Monday, March 21, 2011.

The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate bilateral trade and investment between the two countries and ways and means of strengthening them. The leader of the Sate dept delegation pointed out that the US recognized the potential in post war Sri Lanka and reiterated that the US Government was very interested in further developing trade and investment ties with Sri Lanka

 

Signing of MOU
An MOU between the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry  of Yaalpanam was signed on Monday 30th May 2011. Mr. K. Poornachandran, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Yaalpanam  and Mr. Vijaya M.B. Ratnayake, President of the American Chamber of Commerce signed on behalf of the two organizations respectively.