6th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Business Council of Japan
[10 January, 2009]

President Mr Jagath Ramanayake, welcomed the new Charge d’ Affairs, on behalf of SLBCJ and thanked Embassy officials and Committee Members who were present at the meeting. He further thanked former Ambassador for the cooperation extended by him during his office in 2009.

Mr. Ramanayake was elected as the President of SLBCJ for the second time consecutively. He briefed on the activities that SLBCJ has carried out during the year 2009 by distributing the documents regarding the above activities. While appreciating the support extended by the members, he urged the members that they should participate in the activities more actively by representing SLBCJ.

Names of the new office bearers of the SLBCJ for the year 2010, was announced by the Minister Counsellor, Mr Mapa Pathirana based on the secret votes received from the members.

The CDA congratulated all the members who were appointed for the year 2010 and he extended his gratitude to all members who were selected, and hope that they would find the opportunity to serve the SLBCJ in a greater way.

Since Council members are holding important positions in the business sector it was expected that they will play a dynamic role in promoting Sri Lanka, and its products in Japan and also contributing to Sri Lanka development process.

With the end of the conflict, he said, it was a time for the entire Sri Lankan community to devote them to the inclusive and sustainable development of the country and improvement of the quality of life. He urged the council to revisit their objectives and refocus on them so that they can both individually and collectively assist this revival of Sri Lanka to see for themselves how the country has embarked on a new process with the defeat of terrorism.

In conclusion, he gave his utmost assurance that the assets and resources of the Sri Lanka Embassy will be available to the SLBCJ and its members at all times.