Sri Lanka-Japan Business Council holds 46th AGM

Sri Lanka-Japan Business Council 2025/2026 Committee

The Sri Lanka-Japan Business Council (SLJBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently held its 46th AGM, with Ambassador of Japan and Council Patron Akio Isomata in attendance. 

Hirohama Ceylon (Pvt.) Ltd Director Athulla R.F. Edirisinghe was elected as President of the SLJBC for the year 2025/26. Hayleys Advantis Ltd Managing Director Ruwan Waidyaratne, Spear International (Pvt.) Ltd Managing Director Shamil Mendis and Prudential Shipping Lines (Pte) Ltd Managing Director Rohitha Mendis were elected as Senior Vice President, Vice President and Treasurer of the council, respectively.  

Andrew The Travel Company (Pvt.) Ltd Managing Director Mahen Kariyawasan will continue to serve the committee as Immediate Past President.

The committee comprises representatives from ASOL Traders, Brandix Apparel (Pvt.) Ltd, Vidullanka PLC, Dentsu Grant (Pvt.) Ltd, Aitken Spence Cargo (Pvt.) Ltd, Lanka Harness Co (Pvt.) Ltd, Heritage Teas (Pvt.) Ltd, Spillburg Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd, Venora International Projects (Pvt.) Ltd, MAC Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd and by Invitation Amano Lanka Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd.

Chief guest Isomata highlighted the rapid growth of the Sri Lankan community in Japan, with over 57,000 currently living, working and studying there and emphasised the need to restore Japanese investors’ confidence in the economic landscape in Sri Lanka, following the recent economic crisis. He underscored, for that purpose, the importance of ensuring the steady implementation of the mega projects assisted by Japan, including the Bandaranaike International Airport expansion project. 

He also encouraged the stakeholders to work together for the improvement of business environment and promotion of investment in untapped resources in Sri Lanka. He proposed that a Sri Lankan business delegation visit Japan in coordination with the Sri Lankan president’s future visit there. He reaffirmed the embassy’s full support for the SLJBC in strengthening bilateral trade, investment and people-to-people ties.

In his final address, the outgoing president highlighted the council’s active role in promoting Sri Lanka at the Expo Pavilion in Osaka, which earned recognition from the Japanese Foreign Minister for strengthening bilateral relations. He noted discussions on a potential trilateral economic corridor between India, Sri Lanka and Japan, while also outlining key upcoming initiatives: coordinating the official visit of the president of Sri Lanka to Japan in September, hosting a Sri Lanka Day at the Osaka Pavilion on September 27, organising a business forum in Osaka on September 26 and holding a main business forum in Tokyo on September 29, in collaboration with the JCCI and JETRO. In his inaugural address at the AGM, the newly appointed president expressed appreciation of Japan’s continued support to Sri Lanka, including solar-powered facilities for maternity hospitals and called for stronger local and overseas partnerships. He noted Japan’s need for 830,000 skilled workers by 2030, urging efforts to overcome language barriers and enhance training to expand opportunities for Sri Lankans already working in Japan. 

Acknowledging declining Japanese interest due to past crises, he proposed establishing a technical working group, advancing key projects and sending a business delegation with the Sri Lankan president’s upcoming visit to strengthen bilateral relations and attract investment. 

Edirisinghe suggested the government to explore possibilities in setting up an exclusive investment zone for Japanese investors following the Indian and Bangladesh examples.