Colombo, September 21, 2026: The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham SL) efficiently held its thirty fourth Annual Normal Assembly, bringing collectively its membership, distinguished visitors, enterprise leaders and representatives of the diplomatic neighborhood.
The AGM marked one other vital milestone for AmCham Sri Lanka because the Chamber mirrored on a yr of continued advocacy, high-level engagement and initiatives geared toward strengthening commerce, funding and industrial ties between Sri Lanka and the USA. The assembly additionally noticed the election of a brand new Board of Administrators to steer the Chamber into its subsequent chapter.
Mr. Bertram Paul, Managing Director/CEO, Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC, was elected President of AmCham Sri Lanka, succeeding Mr. Sandun Hapugoda.
Mr. Dilshan Perera, Head of World Community Banking, HSBC Sri Lanka, was elected Vice President, whereas Ms. Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny, Group Managing Director, IAS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, was elected Secretary. Ms. Chamila Bandara, Group Administration Committee – Hayleys Advantis, Director – Advantis Categorical, Licensee of Federal Categorical Company, and Director – IML Supply Techniques representing CityPak, was elected Treasurer.
Outgoing President Mr. Sandun Hapugoda, Nation Supervisor – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka for Mastercard, was appointed President Emeritus of AmCham Sri Lanka, making certain continuity and the good thing about his management and expertise on the Board.
Mr. Riza Wadood, Managing Director, Digiratina Know-how Options (Pvt) Ltd; Ms. Tamani Dias, Govt Director/Head of Company Protection, Customary Chartered Financial institution; Mr. Saneth Gamage, Director, Nation Markets Head/Treasurer, Citibank, N.A.; Mr. Hatem Rajabdeen, Managing Director, North Manufacturing Pvt Ltd; and Ms. Anika Williamson, Director, JAT Holdings PLC, had been re-elected as Administrators and can proceed to serve on the AmCham Sri Lanka Board.
Additional strengthening the breadth and sectoral illustration of the Board, Mr. Kavinda De Zoysa, Chairman, Financial institution of Ceylon; Mr. Mario Perera, Nation Supervisor, The Coca-Cola Firm, Sri Lanka; and Ms. Kshanika Ratnayaka, Director/Chief Govt Officer, Nice Place to Work® Sri Lanka, had been appointed as new Board members.
The brand new Board brings collectively senior management from monetary companies, FMCG, logistics, know-how, and manufacturing, amongst different key sectors, reinforcing AmCham Sri Lanka’s position as a platform connecting enterprise management with the development of U.S.–Sri Lanka financial relations.
U.S.–Sri Lanka Partnership
The AGM takes place at an vital juncture within the bilateral relationship and follows the arrival of the brand new United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Eric Meyer, who formally assumed his ambassadorial tasks in August 2026.
Upon presenting his credentials, Ambassador Meyer underscored his dedication to additional strengthening the longstanding relationship between the 2 international locations, stating: “The United
States is proud to name Sri Lanka a good friend in a partnership that has spanned greater than 78 years.”
Ambassador Meyer has recognized unlocking new financial alternatives as a key a part of that partnership. “Sri Lanka has made actual financial progress, however that is the second to be extra formidable about what comes subsequent,” Ambassador Meyer mentioned. “We need to see extra American firms succeeding right here—and that requires a predictable enterprise surroundings and a powerful private-sector voice. AmCham is usually a highly effective drive multiplier in that effort, figuring out
obstacles, championing reforms, and serving to flip American capital, know-how, and experience into larger prosperity for each our international locations.”.
Ambassador Meyer’s tenure begins as the USA and Sri Lanka look to construct on this momentum by increasing commerce, attracting funding, and creating new alternatives for companies and other people in each international locations.
Constructing on a 12 months of Engagement
Reflecting on his tenure, outgoing President and newly appointed President Emeritus Sandun Hapugoda said:
“Serving as President of AmCham Sri Lanka has been a real privilege. Throughout 2025/26, we
strengthened the Chamber’s advocacy, deepened engagement with the U.S. Embassy and different stakeholders, and superior commerce and funding between Sri Lanka and the USA.
I lengthen my warmest needs to incoming President Bertram Paul and the brand new Board. I’m assured they’ll construct on this sturdy basis and take AmCham ahead. As President Emeritus, I stay totally dedicated to supporting them and the broader AmCham neighborhood.”
In the course of the previous yr, AmCham Sri Lanka continued to strengthen its position as an vital voice for the enterprise neighborhood by way of coverage advocacy, engagement with private and non-private sector stakeholders, knowledge-sharing platforms and initiatives supporting larger commerce and funding between Sri Lanka and the USA.
The Chamber additionally continued to create alternatives for its members to interact with senior enterprise leaders, policymakers, U.S. Authorities representatives and worldwide stakeholders,
whereas broadening its concentrate on areas together with commerce and funding, human capital improvement, know-how, innovation and accountable enterprise development.
A New Chapter for AmCham Sri Lanka
Addressing the membership following his election, incoming President BertramPauloutlined three priorities for the Chamber going ahead: advocacy, by serving as a reputable voice
participating coverage makers on commerce, funding, and reforms to spice up Sri Lanka’s competitiveness; connection, by changing the Chamber’s membership community into actual partnerships and enterprise development relatively than mere networking; and investing within the subsequent technology, by way of mentorship, coaching and alternatives for younger folks.
Beneath the management of the newly elected Board, AmCham Sri Lanka will proceed to concentrate on strengthening bilateral industrial relations, supporting an enabling surroundings for commerce and funding, advocating on points affecting its membership, and creating high-value alternatives for collaboration between Sri Lankan and American companies.
The thirty fourth AGM concluded with networking amongst members, dignitaries and visitors, marking the start of a brand new chapter for AmCham Sri Lanka underneath the management of President Bertram Paul and the newly constituted Board.
About AmCham Sri Lanka
Now in its thirty fourth yr, the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham SL) stands as considered one of Sri Lanka’s main enterprise Chambers and the premier platform devoted to fostering and advancing commerce, funding and enterprise relations between Sri Lanka and the USA.
Representing a various membership of main multinational and Sri Lankan firms throughout key sectors of the economic system, AmCham Sri Lanka works intently with its members and stakeholders to facilitate significant enterprise connections, present high-level knowledge-sharing alternatives and advocate for insurance policies that help a aggressive, clear and investment-friendly enterprise surroundings.
