NEW YORK-- The newly-formed USA-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce (USSLCC) was inaugurated at the Harvard Club recently in the presence of the Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Anura Priyadharshana Yapa.
The minister was in New York to address a large gathering of American businessmen and potential investors.
The meeting was organized by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce (MCC). A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for mutual cooperation between the USSLCC and the MCC was signed by the presidents of the respective Chambers.
The USSLCC also officially launched its website, www.usslcc.org. Sri Lanka ’s National carrier SriLankan Airlines became the first corporate member of the USSLCC. Dr. Anil Vitarana, who heads the North American organization of the multinational United Arab Shipping Company, was inducted as the first president of USSLCC. In addition to Dr. Vitarana, the office bearers of the USSLCC consist of: Vice President, Prashanth Wijedasa, CEO of DiNi Communications, Inc.; Secretary, Dhamitha Arsakularatna, Managing Director, De Fonseka, Inc.; Treasurer, Vajira Mendis, President, Air Sea Land, Inc., and Directors: Dillan Ariyawansa, President, Sri Lankan Airlines (USA) Inc.; Steve Brigham, MD., Managed Care, Outsourcing; Nalaka Dias, Director, Jetwing(USA) Inc., Nazeer Rasheed, President, Philip Billhardt, Inc., Prashantha Ratnayake, Esq., Attorney & Counselor-at-Law., Ghazzali Abdulwadood, Managing Director, GW Global and Andy Anderson, Vice President, Scanwell Logistics.
Dr. Vitarana, a Sri Lankan expatriate who has lived in the US for over 20 years, also serves on the Boards of the Maritime Association of the Ports of New York and New Jersey and the International Institute of New Jersey.
Dr. Vitarana said one of the main objectives of the USSLCC was to be the catalyst to tie in the public & private sector interests in promoting business with Sri Lanka in both directions. Among the other short and long terms objectives were: to encourage & facilitate entrepreneurship among the Sri Lankan Diaspora; to be a resource center for U.S. businessmen wanting to do business in Sri Lanka & allow for networking opportunities; and to link up with other trade chambers in the U.S. & Sri Lanka to pursue common agendas.
He pointed out that the USSLCC will also facilitate & encourage reciprocal visits of businessmen & investors. Additionally, it will promote Sri Lanka as an excellent location to do business. The plans for the immediate future include publicizing the formation of USSLCC; launching an intense membership drive; representing the Sri Lanka Diaspora on a national basis; establishing links with other trade chambers & like-minded organizations and drafting a 2010 business plan. |
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