Business

Sri Lanka and Indian Merchants’ Chamber discuss expanding trade ties amid geo-strategic concerns

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/22

Indian Merchants' Chamber members expressed interests in the economic development process of Sri Lanka on a win-win economic equation favorable for both parties.

Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai and the Indian Merchant’s Chamber (IMC) organised an interactive session between the committee members of the IMC and the Mission officials on 09 November 2021 at the auditorium of the IMC in Mumbai.

Consul General of Sri Lanka to Mumbai Dr. Valsan Vethody graced the event as the chief guest, and he was warmly welcomed by President Juzar Khorakiwala and Director General of the chamber Ajit Mangrulkar upon his arrival. The purpose of the event was to interact with the officials and the committee members of the chamber to explore possible opportunities in expanding trade, investment and tourism between Sri Lanka and the western region of India.

During the welcome address, the President of the IMC while highlighting the longstanding multifaceted bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and India, underlined some of the major promotional activities that IMC has successfully completed in collaboration with the Mission, such as the webinar on “India – Sri Lanka current business environment, opportunities for joint collaborations for Agri and Processed Food Sector” organized on 29 September 2020″ and about the business delegation from the IMC to Sri Lanka in 2017.

In the keynote address the Director General of the IMC sounded curious to know about the developmental reforms laid out by the Sri Lankan government, the sectors opened for the investments and about the present economic situation in Sri Lanka, especially in the context of various adverse media reports in the Indian media. He also underlined the IMC members’ interests for the participation in the economic development process of Sri Lanka on a win-win economic equation favorable for both the parties.

Addressing the gathering and answering the inquiries raised by the committee members, Consul General explained about the present situation in Sri Lanka. During his address, he highlighted the GOSL’s successful vaccination campaign, measures taken by the government to welcome the international travelers and to revive the tourism industry; the investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka such as the pharmaceutical zone, textile zone, the port city, opportunities in fisheries & agro-sector; favorable investment climate; improving economic situation; air connectivity and the potential for furthering the trade and investment activities and he clarified the adverse propaganda on the Hambantota harbor, the Port City and on the ‘so-called Chinese geo-strategic interest in Sri Lanka’. He went on to clarify the adverse media reports on foreign currency issue in Sri Lanka stating that it’s not a structural issue, but only a short-term liquidity issue due to the covid pandemic and that the central bank of Sri Lanka has already begun the process of normalizing the situation.

When inquired about China’s growing geo-strategic influence in Sri Lanka, Consul General Dr. Vethody clarified that we Sri Lankans are proud of our sovereignty and integrity and we will never be subservient to any other nations, and the ‘so-called Chinese economic presence in Sri Lanka’ is purely due to economic factors. He cited the examples of how Sri Lanka finished the separatist war despite mounting foreign pressure from powerful nations and the incidents of how a Chinese ship with undeclared radioactive material was sent out of Hambantota harbor and the recent incident of Sri Lanka not accepting the fertilizer consignment from Chinese company as the samples were tested contaminated. He invited Indian investors to participate to capture the opportunities in Sri Lanka without making up presumptions afterwards. All the participants were invited to attend the upcoming investment seminar organized by the Mission in association with the Confederation of the Indian Industries (CII), Gujarat Chapter).

IMC is a long-standing business association with rich heritage in Mumbai. Most of the major business establishments and industrialists in Mumbai and the western region of India, such as Reliance, Mahindra & Mahindra, Godrej, etc. are the members of the IMC. It has a membership base of over 5000 members and over 150 trade associations affiliated to it. The chamber was established on 07 September 1907 by few Indian Merchants, to fight for the rights of the local businesses’ interests. In recognition of the Chamber’s contribution to nation building, Mahatma Gandhi accepted honorary membership in 1931.The foundation stone of the Chambers’ building in Churchgate at Mumbai was laid by Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Chamber’s core function during the present time is to provide policy inputs and to promote interests of industry and economic growth of the country.

Consul General was assisted by Consul (Commercial) Sandun Sameera of the Mission during the visit.

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Business

Rs 160 million + diesel discrepancy at Lakvijaya power plant prompts probe

Published

20 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai.

By Ifham Nizam

A Rs.160 million-plus diesel discrepancy at the Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai has triggered an internal investigation, raising questions over the handling of public funds and the controls governing fuel purchased for electricity generation.

The discrepancy surfaced during an internal audit of diesel supplied to the plant from the Kolonnawa and Sapugaskanda fuel terminals, according to senior officials familiar with the inquiry.

The audit has identified five transactions—two in December 2025 and three in January 2026—in which diesel recorded as delivered to the plant allegedly could not be fully accounted for in its physical stocks.

The investigation is now examining whether these were isolated discrepancies or part of a longer-running practice.

One transaction under scrutiny relates to January 16, when records reportedly showed that 10 diesel bowsers had arrived at the plant. Investigators subsequently found indications that the fuel stock corresponded to only nine bowsers.

A storekeeper responsible for the relevant fuel operation has reportedly been temporarily removed from those duties pending the investigation.

A senior official said investigators were reviewing historical records amid indications that similar discrepancies may have occurred over a longer period. If established, the financial exposure could therefore exceed the Rs.160 million currently identified.

The investigation is comparing fuel-terminal dispatch records, tanker movements, plant-entry records, receiving documents and physical stocks to establish exactly how much fuel was dispatched, received and accounted for.

That audit trail will also be critical in determining who authorised, received and certified the disputed consignments, and whether established controls were followed.

Relevant documents were reportedly transferred from Norochcholai to the company’s Colombo head office on September 26 for further examination, with electricity-sector security personnel assisting in the transfer.

The internal audit has also reportedly uncovered expired chemical stocks worth several hundred thousand rupees in the plant’s stores. Investigators are examining whether further inventory-management irregularities occurred.

The matter was also reportedly taken to the Puttalam Police Special Crimes Investigation Unit on September 26.

When contacted by Puttalam-based journalist Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe for The Island Financial Review, Lakvijaya Power Plant Manager Nalaka Kumara confirmed that an investigation was under way but declined to provide further details.

The financial issue is direct: if the plant paid for diesel it did not receive, public-sector funds were spent without the electricity sector receiving the corresponding fuel.

Business

Sri Lanka Food Processors Association holds 29th Annual General Meeting

Published

20 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) successfully convened its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 23, 2026, at the Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla. Bringing together key industry stakeholders and member organizations, the event served as a platform to review milestone achievements from the 2025/2026 term and outline strategic priorities for the nation’s food and beverage processing sector.

At the AGM, the new Executive Committee for 2027/2028 was appointed, comprising: Honorary President Aruna Senanayake C.W. Mackie PLC Imme. Past President Thusith Wijesinghe Trans Continental Packaging & Commodities (Pvt) Ltd.

President Elect Nadishan Guruge Meadlee Trading Co. (Pvt) Ltd.

1st Vice President Damitha Perera Forbes & Walkers Commodity Brockers (Pvt) Ltd.

2nd Vice President Rasika Seneviratne Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC 3rd Vice President Deepal De Alwis Neochem International (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Secretary Amila Weerasinghe Nestle Lanka Limited.

Asst. SecretaryDineth Alahakoon Country Style Foods (Pvt) Ltd.

Honorary Treasurer Sameera Jayathilaka Westmann Engineering Company (Pvt) Ltd.

Asst. Treasurer Niroshan Dalpethado C D De Fonseka & Sons (Pvt) Limited. In addition to the above office bearers, the following ten Executive Committee Members were appointed:

Sanjeewa De Silva Unilever Sri Lanka Limited Sheran De Alwis MA’S Tropical Food Processing (Pvt) Limited

Thusitha Ekanayake Anods Cocoa (Pvt) Ltd.

Vijitha Govinna Plenty Foods (Pvt) Limited Ms. Praharshi Wickramasekara International Commodity Exports (Pvt) Ltd.

Sanjeewa Niroshan SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Kushan Amarasinghe Finagle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Rangajeewa Hettiarrachchi Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Harindra Abeyrathna Vision Technologies International (Pvt) Ltd. Thilina Weerasekara Ceylon Cold Stores PLC

The event was proudly supported by key industry partners, with SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd serving as the Platinum Sponsor. Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd. and Nestlé Lanka Ltd. joined as Gold Sponsors, Ceylon Agro Industries – Prima as the Silver Sponsor, while Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (LECS) and Hero Nature Products (Pvt) Ltd., supported as Bronze Sponsors.

The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Hony. Secretary Deepal De Alwis, followed by cocktails and a fellowship networking session, providing an opportunity for members to connect and strengthen industry ties.

Business

Uber brings the ‘business class of back seats’ to Sri Lanka with Uber Black

Published

20 hours ago

2026/09/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

New premium ride option expands Uber’s portfolio from affordable Moto and Tuk rides to premium on-demand travel

Uber announced the launch of Uber Black in Sri Lanka, bringing its premium ride experience to the country for the first time. Designed as the “business class of back seats,” Uber Black combines premium vehicles and highly-rated drivers for riders looking for greater comfort, quality and a more elevated travel experience.

The launch comes as demand for premium products and experiences grows across Sri Lanka, with consumers seeking greater choice and quality in their everyday experiences. Uber Black brings this choice to on-demand mobility, whether for an airport journey, an important business meeting, a special occasion or simply when riders want to travel in greater comfort.