Centenary birth anniversary of first Sri Lankan-born CCC Chairman

9 April 2015 08:17 am

The centenary birth anniversary of late S.T.L. de Soysa, who was the first Sri Lankan-born Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, falls today (April 9th).
 De Soysa, who led the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce from 1959 to 1962, was appointed to head the institute, when it was decided to pass the leadership into the hands of national businessmen, as with independence and the increasing role of Sri Lankans in business, the time was right for such a move.
 The choice of the first Sri Lankan chairman was crucial, because the Chamber had traditions and standards, which were worth preserving, while infusing a more national outlook as times changed and the hour produced the man, who was perfect fit for the role.
 History of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce writes that De Soysa has achieved the transition from English to Sri Lankan leadership gracefully and seamlessly.
 “The role played by leaders like Terence De Soysa has given the Chamber the required impetus to become the influential institution, which it is today,” said Mangala P. B. Yapa, CEO / Secretary General of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
 “The Ceylon Chamber always makes sure to remember the great services rendered by eminent persons like De Soysa, when we go down through our memory lane,” Yapa further added.
 Soysa has been a key figure behind the Rubber for Rice Pact between China and Ceylon, which has stood the test of time for three decades and proved of great mutual benefit to the two countries.
 Seven decades before Terence De Soysa was elected as the first Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, his grandfather Charles Henry De Soysa has become the first Ceylonese member of the Chamber in 1890.