The Business Today TOP TWENTY award ceremony, acknowledged the top echelon of corporate Sri Lanka, recognising their prowess during the financial year 2010-2011. The event was held on December 12, 2011, under the patronage of Prime Minister D M Jayaratne and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, and an unprecedented gathering of the business fraternity and distinguished dignitaries.
The event and media coordination was by Glenda Parthipan of Emphasis. This included the concept, entertainment and decor for the evening.
BT Options recognises the efforts of the Sri Lankan Private Sector in becoming the engine of growth for a prosperous Sri Lanka
Garuthara Sangharathnayen avasarai, Hon D M Jayaratne, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition and Mrs Wickremesinghe, Hon Ministers, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Members of Parliament, Members of the Opposition, foreign dignitaries, Government Officials, leaders and members of the business community, we welcome you to the Business Today TOP TWENTY for the financial year 2010-2011.
The financial year 2010-2011 has been one of steady growth and consolidation where the private sector has cautiously expanded and ventured into new sectors during the second year of post war Sri Lanka. Though many have taken a prudent path of growth, stability and innovation, there are those who have taken that extra step to take their businesses and in retrospect Sri Lanka to the next level. The Business Today TOP TWENTY ranking for the year 2010-2011 reflects the dynamism and competitiveness of corporate Sri Lanka. It sets apart the giants who have made their presence felt.
We are honoured by the presence of Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara thero, the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple, Venerable Uduwe Dhammaloka thero, Venerable Kirinde Assaji thero, and Venerable Viyapaththugama Revatha thero. It is with great privilege that we hold this event under the patronage of Hon D M Jayaratne, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition and we wish to thank them for taking the time to be with us today. Unity is strength and today is proof of that.
At this moment we take the opportunity to show our gratitude and appreciation to Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Armed Forces, Police, CDF and Military Intelligence for giving us peace and freedom. If not for them we would not be able to hold events such as this.
At this time we wish to take a moment to thank those who have been with us through thick and thin; Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, whom we fondly address as Podi Hamuduruwo has been our guiding light. Podi Hamuduruwo has always given us advice and stood by us in good times and bad. His support and encouragement has been unconditional. Api hisa nama Podi Hamuduruwanta namaskara karamu.
We would like to take a moment to thank His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka for his continuous support and guidance given to us.
We wish to thank Mr Harry Jayawardena for always supporting us. He has been with us even before Business Today came into being. Mr Jayawardena’s continuous support, has been a strength to us. His support given to our magazines during difficult times is greatly appreciated.
We would like to take a moment to thank Mr Dayasiri Jayasekera, especially for the support rendered to us, which we remember with great gratitude.
We would like to thank Mr Nishantha Wickremasinghe, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines for his continuous support. We would also like to thank Mr Suren Rajakarier, of KPMG for his enthusiasm and consistent drive towards the Business Today TOP TWENTY.
We would also like to thank Mr Dinesh Weerakkody, Mr Keith Bernard and Mr Shiron Gooneratne for their contribution to the Business Today TOP TWENTY.
We would like to thank Mr Sagala Ratnayake for the assistance given to us.
We thank Dr Haroon for his support. We would also like to thank Mr Rohan Karr, General Manager of Cinnamon Grand and his team.
Last but not least we also wish to thank Mr Manilal Fernando, our godfather, for being there for us from the inception.
As reflected in the Business Today TOP TWENTY, the leaders of corporate Sri Lanka have grown stronger, which represents their stability and steady growth over the years. With the end of the conflict the availability of new opportunities has given much required encouragement to entrepreneurs and young businesses that will pose a clear challenge to the market leaders. We sincerely hope that the Sri Lankan private sector continue to take the initiative of becoming the engine of growth.
We are extremely sorry for any lapse in protocol. At such events these lapses are unavoidable and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. We thank all of you for accepting our invitation and being present here in celebration of the Business Today TOP TWENTY.
Sonali Kadurugamuwa and Udeshi Amarasinghe, BT Options
Speeches
Address by Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara Thero
“Are you going to have a transparent private sector?” Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition
John Keells Holdings, Ronnie Peiris – Director
2 and 11 – Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka and Aitken Spence, Harry Jayawardena – Chairman
Commercial Bank, Amitha Gooneratne – Managing Director
Bukit Darah, Hari Selvanathan – Chairman
Hatton National Bank, Ranee Jayamaha – Chairperson
Dialog Axiata, Dr Hans Wijayasuriya – CEO
Sri Lanka Telecom, Nimal Welgama – Chairman
Lanka Orix Leasing Company, Kapila Jayawardena – Managing Director
DFCC Bank, H A Ariyaratne – Executive Vice President
Sampath Bank, Harris Premaratne – Managing Director
Diesel and Motor Engineering, A R Pandithage – Chairman/Managing Director/CEO
Richard Pieris and Company, Prof Lakshman Watawala – Director
Hayleys, Sarath Ganegoda – Group Director
Colombo Dockyard, Mangala P B Yapa – Group Managing Director/CEO
NDB Bank, Russell De Mel – CEO
Cargills (Ceylon), Sidath Kodikara – COO
Hemas Holdings, Imtiaz Esufally – Board Director and Head of Transportation
Chevron Lubricants Lanka, Kishu Gomes – Managing Director/CEO
Seylan Bank, Eastman Narangoda – Chairman
Podi Hamuduruwo
D M Jayaratne, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition
Mathi K Parthipan, D M Jayaratne – Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe – Leader of the Opposition, Glenda Parthipan and Maithree Wickremesinghe
Anoma Laphir, Glenda Parthipan, Maithree Wickremesinghe, Ranil Wickremesinghe – Leader of the Opposition, D M Jayaratne – Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mathi K Parthipan, Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara thero and Venerable Uduwe Dhammaloka thero
Venerable Kirinde Assaji thero, Venerable Viyapaththugama Revatha thero, Jens Plötner – Ambassador of Germany to Sri Lanka and other foreign dignitaries
Prime Minister D M Jayaratne with Mathi and Glenda Parthipan.
Glenda Parthipan, Maithree Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mathi K Parthipan
Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara thero, Venerable Uduwe Dhammaloka thero, Venerable Kirinde Assaji thero and Venerable Viyapaththugama Revatha thero with Mathi and Glenda Parthipan
