Shantha Bandara appointed as Pharmaceutical Industry Chamber President

The Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) successfully held its 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently at Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

At the AGM, Sunshine Healthcare Lanka Ltd Director/Chief Executive Officer Shantha Bandara was officially appointed as the new President of the SLCPI for the term 2025/2026. 

He will lead the SLCPI together with the newly elected office bearers and executive council members, bringing renewed focus to the SLCPI’s mission of fostering ethical, inclusive and sustainable growth in Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector.

The AGM was graced by Central Bank Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe as the chief guest. In his keynote address, Dr. Weerasinghe shared insights into the broader economic outlook, discussing critical themes such as inflation targeting, interest rates and the importance of a flexible exchange rate regime. His remarks provided valuable context for the operating environment within which all industries, including pharmaceuticals, continue to navigate.

Delivering the President’s Address, Bandara outlined the SLCPI’s strategic focus for the coming year under seven key priorities. These included advocating for transparent and equitable healthcare policies, improving drug quality testing and the NMRA online portal and ensuring fair representation of all member companies, both multinationals and local enterprises. 

He also stressed the importance of restoring professionalism and dignity in the role of medical representatives, implementing of the newly developed SLCPI Code of Conduct, strengthening the Pharma Promoters Association and fostering trust-based stakeholder relationships.

Bandara also announced the launch of the Annual Pharmaceutical Forum, a platform to promote knowledge-sharing, ethical discourse and global alignment.

He concluded his remarks with a compelling message to the industry: “Let us elevate the dignity, purpose and promise of our industry for generations to come.”

The SLCPI serves as the apex representative body for over 60 member companies, comprising importers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers, who collectively account for more than 80 percent of the island’s private pharmaceutical market. 

The industry directly employs over 80,000 individuals and indirectly supports nearly 400,000 more, making it a vital contributor to the national economy and healthcare delivery.