Sri Lanka-Australia-New Zealand Business Council (SLANZBC), an associated business council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, appointed Ms. Udara Cumaratunga as the president at its 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 19th July 2023 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo.
HE Paul Stevens, High-Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka and Maldives along with HE Michael Appleton High-Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka and Maldives along with several leading business identities graced the occasion.
Two-way goods and services between Australia – Sri Lanka is estimated to be worth around $1.5 billion and between New Zealand – Sri Lanka worth approximately $450 million.
In her address, Udara affirmed SLANZBC’s commitment to broaden and strengthen existing trade partnerships between the respective countries.
Udara is the Senior Manager Commercial and Marketing at South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), the country’s first Public Private Partnership venture launched in 1999. She holds a MBA from the University of West London and a degree in International Business from the University of Sheffield. She is a product of Visakha Vidyalaya and Gateway College and is a former national swimmer.
South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) is the first Public Private Partnership container terminal in Sri Lanka (with approximately 60% Sri Lankan shareholding) and commenced operations in 1999, launching the Port of Colombo as global trade’s preeminent gateway hub to South Asia. Today, the terminal is one of three operators in the Port of Colombo and continues to offer the international container shipping community a competitive best in class service. SAGT is a Board of Investment flagship company whose shareholders include – John Keells Holdings, Maersk/APM Terminals, SLPA and Evergreen Marine Corporation.
