Dawning of a New Era… Opportunities and Challenges With the ending of the war that has ravaged our nation for the past three decades, a new era has dawned in Sri Lanka. Although the war has left deep scars, the time has now come to shut the door on the past and move ahead as a united country to meet the challenges of the future.
Much of the country’s economic and human resources have been poured into the conflict resulting in constant underinvestment in education, infrastructure and healthcare. In addition the current global economic recession has had a negative impact on an already faltering economy. Despite this, the new hope that has been instilled in the hearts of Sri Lankans and the end of the conflict open up a new vista of opportunities that must be recognised and seized.
The Sri Lanka Economic Summit for 2009, presented by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will explore in depth the various strategies available to address the challenges of the new era and how to make effective use of the new opportunities that would accelerate the economic and social development of the country. Eminent and experienced personalities from overseas will join hands with senior Government officials, public representatives and private sector leaders of Sri Lanka to discuss the global economic environment as well as the recent developments on the local scene.
Special focus will be given to topics relating to North and East development, governance, employment, agriculture, fisheries, dairy and tourism, knowledge economy and banking and finance. The Summit will also discuss the main challenges confronting the country such as post war reconstruction and resettlement, developing the northern and eastern regions, accelerating southern development, macroeconomic management and the need for development assistance in this regard. During the sessions the speakers and participants will explore how some of the challenges could be converted into opportunities and how the opportunities could be turned into time bound action plans. The programme for the Summit has been designed to generate fresh ideas, a consensus view and a clear vision for the development of the country.
Participants will benefit by learning more about the future economic prospects for Sri Lanka from experts. They will also gain further knowledge about the challenges arising from global and local factors and their impact on Sri Lanka and its business sectors. Lessons on how to face these challenges may be learned from the experiences of other countries.
Furthermore, participants of the Summit will also be made aware of policy changes and initiatives taken by the Government to effectively meet these challenges as well as investment opportunities arising from the current environment. Interactive discussions will give them the opportunity to make and hear suggestions on how to mitigate the adversities and optimise the benefits. These will also enable them to identify actions that need to be expedited to facilitate rapid economic development and give them the opportunity to meet and network with participants from diverse sectors.
The Steering Committee for the Summit includes Prof Lakshman R Watawala (Chairman), J D Bandaranayake, Anura Ekanayake, Prema Cooray, Suresh Shah, Romesh David, Harin Malwatte, Gayathri Gunaruwan, and Alikie Perera. The Summit will take place on June 30 and July 1 and 2 at the Oak Room, Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.
Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor: Airtel
Sponsors: Core, The Asia Foundation
Print Media Sponsors: Business Today, Daily Mirror, Financial Times
Electronic Media Sponsors: MTV, Yes FM
Host Hotel: Cinammon Grand Hotel, Colombo
Communication Partner: BBDO SWARA
DAY ONE
Arrival of Guests (to be seated by 5.45 pm)
6.00 – 8.00 pm Inauguration
Welcome Address
Prof Lakshman R Watawala
Chairman, Economic Summit Steering Committee
Address
Mr Jayampathi Bandaranayake
Chairman, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
Address by Chief Guest
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ratnasiri Wickramanayake
Keynote Address
Mr Yasushi Akashi
Representative of the Government of Japan
Inaugural Address
Dato’ Dr K Govindan
Deputy Director of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of Malaysia
Vote of Thanks
Mr Harin Malwatte
Secretary General / CEO – The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
DAY TWO
8.30 – 9.00 am Registration
9.00 – 9.05 am Welcome Remarks
Prof Lakshman R Watawala
Chairman, Economic Summit Steering Committee
9.00 am – 10.30 am : TECHNICAL SESSION 1
“Surviving the Downturn and
Venturing into a New Era”
Keynote Address
Hon Sarath Amunugama
Minister of Public Administration & Home Affairs
Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
Panelists
Dr Saman Kelegama
Executive Director, Institute of Policy Studies
Dr Anura Ekanayake
Vice Chairman, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
Mr Hemaka Amarasuriya
CEO, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC
Dr Harsha de Silva
Lead Economist, LIRNEasia
Mr Vish Govindaswamy
Managing Director, Watawala Plantations Ltd
Moderator
Ms Savithri Rodrigo
Media Consultant
11.00 am – 12.30 pm : TECHNICAL SESSION 2
“Financial Crisis – Challenges for the Banking
and Financial Sector”
Keynote Address
Mr Ajith Nivard Cabraal
Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Panelists
Dr Richard Vokes
Country Director
Asian Development Bank (Sri Lanka Resident Mission)
Mr Rajendra Thiagarajah
CEO, Hatton National Bank PLC
Chairman, Sri Lanka Banks Association
Mr Ronnie Peiris
Group Financial Director, John Keells Holdings PLC
Mr Nick A Nicolaou
CEO, The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd
Mr Faizal Salieh
Managing Director, Amana Investments Ltd
Moderator
Mr Dinesh Weerakkody
Managing Director, Cornucopia (Pvt) Ltd
2.00 pm – 3.30 pm : TECHNICAL SESSION 3
“Agriculture, Dairy, Fisheries & Tourism Sectors
Opportunities for the Private Sector”
Keynote Addresses
Mr B R L Fernando *
Non-Executive Chairman, CIC PLC
Dr Janusz Szyrmer
Economic Policy Advisor, CORE Project
Panelists
Hon Hemakumara Nanayakkara
Non Cabinet Minister
Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services
Hon Neomal Perera *
Deputy Minister of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources
Prof Buddhi Marambe
Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
Mr Sarath Silva
Chairman, International Food Stuff & Agri Bio Tech (Pvt) Ltd
Mr Roshan Fernando
Director / CEO, Tropic Frozen Food (Pvt) Ltd
Mr Srilal Miththapala
President, Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka
Moderator
Mr Ariyaratne Hewage
Former Secretary, Ministry of Education
4.00 pm – 5.30 pm : TECHNICAL SESSION 4
“North East Accelerated Socio and
Economic Development”
Keynote Addresses
Senior Government Representative
Dr Stephen Lewarne
Senior Vice President and Director
Economic Growth, Governance and Reconstruction Division,
Aecom International Development
Panelists
Dr Naoko Ishii
Country Director for Sri Lanka & Maldives, World Bank
Mr V P Balasingham
Chief Secretary, Eastern Provincial Council
Mr Dhammika Perera
Chairman/Managing Director, Board of Investment, Sri Lanka
Mr Gerald Andersen
Director – Economic Growth (USAID)
Mr Mahadevasivam *
Chairman, Jaffna Chamber of Commerce
Mr R Rajaram Mohan *
Chairman, Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Trincomalee
Mr Daya Gamage
Chairman, Daya Apparel Export (Pvt) Ltd
Moderator
Mrs Savithri Rodrigo
DAY THREE
9.00 am – 10.30 am: TECHNICAL SESSION 5
“Harnessing Human Capital for the Future”
Keynote Address
Mr Steven Kapsos
Economist, ILO – Geneva
Panelists
Mr D L Kumaradasa
Additional Secretary (Employment), Ministry of Labour
Mr Ravi Peiris
Director General, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon
Mr Ashroff Omar
Chief Executive Officer, Brandix Lanka Ltd
Mr Priantha Seresinhe
Group Director, Capital Maharaja Organisation Ltd
Mr Dinesh Weerakkody
Managing Director, Cornucopia (Pvt) Ltd
Moderator
Dr Harsha de Silva
Lead Economist, LIRNEasia
11.00 am – 12.30 pm : TECHNICAL SESSION 6
“Building on ICT & English – Presenting Sri Lanka as a Knowledge Economy”
Keynote Address
Ms Amrita Gangotra
CIO – Mobile Services
Chief – IT Operations & Governance, Bharti Airtel Ltd
Panelists
Mr Sunimal Fernando
Advisor to the President
Prof Lalith Gamage
CEO, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology
Mr Mano Sekaram
CEO, Euro Center DDC
Mr Duncan Wilson
Deputy Director, British Council Sri Lanka
Mr Raman Roy
Chairman & Managing Director – Quatrro BPO Solutions
Moderator
Mr Arun Dias Bandaranayake
Radio & TV Presenter and Media Specialist
2.00 pm – 3.30 pm : TECHNICAL SESSION 7
“Governance : Challenges for the Public
and Private Sector”
Keynote Address
Dato’ Dr K Govindan
Deputy Director of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU)
of Malaysia
Panelists
Mr Wijedasa Rajapakse *
Member of Parliament
Mr Dharmasena Dissanayaka
Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration & Home Affairs
Mr Rienzie T Wijetilleke
Chairman, Hatton National Bank PLC
Mr J C Weliamuna
Mr Channa de Silva
Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka
Desamanya Deva Rodrigo
Past Chairman the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
Moderator
Mrs Savithri Rodrigo
Media Consultant
4.00 pm – 5.30 pm : TECHNICAL SESSION 8
“2020 Vision for Sri Lanka – Parliamentarians’ Points of View”
Keynote Address
Hon Milinda Moragoda
Minister of Tourism
Panelists
Hon Dilan Perera
Minister of Ports & Aviation
Hon Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan
Minister of National Integration
Hon Rauff Hakeem *
Leader, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress
Hon Faizer Mustapha
Deputy Minister of Tourism
Hon Kabir Hashim
Member of Parliament
Hon Bimal Rathnayake *
Member of Parliament
Hon Dayasiri Jayasekara
Member of Parliament
Moderator
Mr Feizal Samath
Business Editor – The Sunday Times, Wijeya Newspapers Ltd
5.30 pm Closure of the Economic Summit 2009 ECONOMIC SUMMIT 2009
