01. Promotion of tourism industry for economic revival

It has been decided in the Cabinet meeting on 30.05.2023 to appoint a Ministerial sub-committee consisting
6 ministers headed by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Services to identify the existing obstacles
and opportunities to promote the tourism industry for economic revival and to make recommendations to the
Cabinet regarding the steps to be taken to remove those obstacles and utilize the existing opportunities in the
most effective manner. Accordingly, the minister of land and tourism submitted the report of the said
ministerial sub-committee with 25 recommendations and the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
implementation of recommendations therein.

02. Elections (Special Provisions) Bill

Cabinet approval has been given on 12.12.2022, to amend the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981 to
take appropriate action in case of violation of the code of conduct by political parties/independent groups
and candidates contesting for an election and to establish special polling stations for specially identified
voters who cannot vote at the designated polling station on election day. Also, Cabinet approval has been
granted on 12.12.2022 to amend the Local Government Polls Ordinance, the Parliamentary Elections Act
and the Provincial Council Elections Act so that legal action can be taken in cases of violation of Media
Guidelines when an election has been declared. Legal Draftsman has commenced the preparation of bills in
this regard. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Hon. President to
advice the legal draftsman to prepare a bill to introduce a new Act including the respective amendments.

03. The Order under the Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017

Under Act No. 12 of 2017, the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies has
periodically announced orders for the temporary suspension/restriction of outward remittances related to
certain capital transactions and mobile transfers, effective from April 2020, on the recommendation of the
Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The final order published in this regard on 22.12.2022 is scheduled to expire on
30.06.2023. Accordingly the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Hon. President in
his capacity as the Minister of Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies to issue an
order under the section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act No.12 of 2017, for the implementation of the said
order for another 6 months and then to submit this order to the Parliament for approval.

04. Revocation of the Bread Ordinance No. 13 of 1864

The Bread Ordinance No. 13 of 1864 was enacted to regulate the sale of bread and to prevent the mixing of
spoiled flour with bread offered for sale. In implementing the provisions of the Consumer Affairs Authority
Act No. 9 of 2003, some issues arise with certain provisions of that Ordinance. In the implementation of
the provisions of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003, some issues arise with certain provisions
of the Ordinance and it is identified that it is no longer necessary implement the said Ordinance. As such, the
Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Safety
to instruct the legal draftsman to prepare legislations to repeal the Act.

05. Amendment of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act No. 34 of 2005.

Concurrence of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted at their meeting held on 06.03.2018 to draft a bill
to amend the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act No. 34 of 2005. Accordingly, the clearance of the
Attorney General has been received for the draft bill of the Prevention of Domestic (Amended) Violence Act
formulated by the Legal Draftsman. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution
furnished by the Hon President as the Minister of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment to publish
the draft bill in the government gazette notification and forward to the Parliament subsequently for their
approval.

06. Amendment of the acts of Parliamentary Elections, Presidential Elections, Provincial Council
Elections and the Local Government Elections Ordinance as per the provisions of the Elections
Expenditure Regulation Act No. 03 of 2023.

Requirement to make corresponding amendments to the acts of Parliamentary Elections, Presidential
Elections, Provincial Council Elections and the Local Government Elections Ordinance have been
recognized with the empowerment of the provisions of the Elections Expenditure Regulation Act No. 03 of
2023 and the concurrence of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted for those amendments at their meeting
held on 23.01.2023. accordingly, the clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the draft bill
prepared by the Legal Draftsman. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the proposal
submitted by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to publish the relevant draft
bill in the government gazette notification and subsequently to table the same before the Parliament for the
concurrence.

07. Submission of the final budget situation report of the year 2022 to the Parliament

In terms of the provisions of section 13 of Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act No 3 of 2003, the Minister
in - charge of the subject of Finance may issue the final situation report on the budget prior to exceeding five
(05) months from the relevant financial year to the public whereas, to table the same before the Parliament
subsequently. Accordingly, the situation report on the budget of 2022 has been published in the website of
the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies. The Cabinet of Ministers approved
the resolution furnished by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic
Stabilization and National Policies to table the said report in the Parliament.

**********
In the event of any inconsistency between the Tamil and English translations of this document, the
Sinhala text shall prevail.

This would also help to improve the development of the country’s economy.

The president stressed that he is satisfied with the education received during his era compared to the present day. For many of the people during his time, the United Kingdom was a second choice, if not the first, after the University of Ceylon. However, when asked by the young generation today about the satisfaction of today’s education system, the answer would be negative. Even if they are selected for a university, they are trying to go abroad.

The President highlighted the need for fixing the issues with the educational system in this nation and added that conditions should be put in place so that everyone can complete their education at the appropriate age and move on.

President Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of being attentive to the South Asian population. In 2050, India will have about another 3–400 million, rising to 1.7 billion. The poverty level will decrease, while the better income number will increase. He anticipated that this change may occur in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, and the East African nations.

They alone can’t be building universities. India will have nothing else to do if they are going to provide education for all of them, so they will either use other techniques. Therefore, Sri Lanka must be vigilant in these areas. If Sri Lanka has a sufficient number of universities, it would help to cater to some of them from those areas.

These remarks were revealed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe while addressing the "CVCD Excellence Awards" held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo on Friday (9).

President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the "CVCD Excellence Awards" ceremony as the Chief Guest and was welcomed by the Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Directors Sri Lanka (CVCD), Professor Sujeeva Amarasena, the Vice Chancellor of Ruhunu University.

Prof. Nilanthi De Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, introduced the award ceremony in detail.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe was appreciated by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Directors (CVCD), Sri Lanka, for his excellent leadership and commitment in establishing an innovative research culture within the university system.

Organized biennially by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Directors Sri Lanka (CVCD), the "CVCD Excellence Awards" recognize and honor outstanding contributions and achievements in research, innovation, and invention by scholars in the Sri Lankan university system.
The awards are presented in three categories: Most Outstanding Senior Researcher, Most Outstanding Young Researcher, and Most Outstanding Inventor.

In this year's awards ceremony, the Most Outstanding Senior Researcher and Most Outstanding Young Researcher Awards for the year 2022, Allied Health Sciences and Indigenous Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, and Technology, Humanities, Life Sciences, Management Studies, Medicine, and Dentistry, were awarded for eight fields of study: natural sciences, social sciences, and legal studies.

Accordingly, Professor B. it. K. S. Perera (University of Moratuwa), Professor D. M. Deepti Yakandawala (University of Peradeniya), Prof. Arosha Sarangi Adikaram (University of Colombo), Prof. Shaman Rajindrajith (University of Colombo), L. B. D. R. P. Wijesundara (University of Kelaniya), and Professor S. Mr. P. Karunanayake (Open University) received the Most Outstanding Senior Researcher Award.

Dr. A. N. Madushanka (University of Peradeniya), Dr. K. K. Asanka Sanjeeva (Sri Jayawardenepura University), Dr. W. H. M. Sanjeeva Samaratunga (Rajarata University), Dr. M. B. Kavinda Chandimal Dayasiri (University of Kelaniya), and Professor A. Mr. Sandaruwan Ratnayake (University of Uva Wellassa) received the Most Outstanding Young Researcher Award.

University of Moratuwa Professor Rangika Umesh Halwathura won the Most Outstanding Inventor Award.

Vavuniya University Vice Chancellor Professor T. Mr. Mangaleswaran delivered the speech of thanks, and members of the committee of Sri Lanka Vice Chancellors and Directors, family members of award-winning scholars, and others attended this event.

Following is the full speech made by Hon. President Ranil Wickremesinghe:

Seated here, I was thinking back to the time that I had finished A-levels and sat for the exam. My father also insisted that I take the London A-level, which was held in Madras. So I flew to Madras and sat for the London A-Level. But at the same time, I received the results of the Sri Lankan, as you called it, Ceylon A-levels, and I found that I had gotten into the university and had been selected.

It was a simple system then. In none of these marking systems, all those who got four subject passes went in first, followed by those who got three subjects. I also got my A-level results from London A-level. I applied through UCCA, and there was one university that was prepared to take me based on Sri Lankan A-level results.

And others certainly considered me based on my London A-level results. So I had to make a decision whether I was going to stay here or go to the UK. I really thought of staying in Sri Lanka. My mother was insisting I go to the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, because of my grandfather's connections, but I had made up my mind. I felt that if I am to do law, it has to be in Colombo. Otherwise, I have to go on to another subject, like economics or history. So I am telling you, I never studied economics.

When I look back, I think that at that time, a lot of people told me this was a good degree. This is well accepted. The dean of that time, the professor of law, Professor Nadarajah, was the leading exponent of Roman Dutch law after Professor Lee died. We had a number of lecturers, the youngest, of course, being a young temporary assistant lecturer called G.L. Peiris.

I passed out, and I'm quite happy with my education here. But when I speak to young people today, I ask them, "Would you like to stay in Sri Lanka? The answer to many of them is no. Even if selected by a university. For many of us in the UK, it was a second choice if you were not selected for the University of Ceylon.

But it is not, so today, having spoken to them and listened to their views, I don't know what I would do if I came to making a selection today. So, this is a crisis in the university system. It's a part of the larger crisis in Sri Lanka itself and how we face the future. So we have to look at the university system and what the role of education is first, then look at the local issues.

As I asked the chairman, we have about 170,000 qualifying for the A-levels; of that, 40,000 get into universities here, and another 30, 000 to 40,000 go to universities abroad.

So that's the difference. What's the difference? So that another 40,000, of which I would say 25000 to 30000, would be prepared to enter Sri Lankan universities. We don't have the resources, so that's the first one. Are we going to have a system of universities coming under the UGC and universities outside the UGC, some for profit and others not for profit?

Three systems are functioning, or should we gradually look at building up one system of universities? So that's the first one.

Secondly, the government makes money available to fund students' higher education. But then we find that another group of students equal to the number in the universities is going outside and paying money. So, is this the best way we have? We must preserve one right, which is in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: universal access to education. But different countries have different ways of doing it. Some give student loans; some help students who have economic issues but allow the others to go ahead. So, are we to study? I think we have to study all these systems and then ensure the government makes the funding available.

Look at the best system available for the maximum number to get their education. That's the first item I think we have to go into if we can't run away from the issue, because we will need a large number of engineers, a large number of doctors, and a large number of scientists. If we are to develop and go ahead, where are we going to get them? Who is going to educate them? That's, I would say, the main issue we have.

Secondly, one of the standards is: where are we now? When I went to university, our universities were high up on the list of Asian universities. I am not talking about the world's list of Asian universities. We are not so today; let's be frank about it. How are you going to improve our performance? How are we going to ensure that these universities have a good reputation and standing?

Then you'll attract students from other parts of the world, making your funding that much easier. How do the state universities function with disruptions and vice chancellors getting assaulted? That cannot happen. I think at some point we have to face these issues and resolve them. There's no other way to do it. We must ensure that everyone studies so they can get ahead.

We have a big problem in the education system; people don't sit for A-levels until they are about 20, and you're about 24 when you pass out. I was 21 when I sat for my degree, 22 when I got the results, and we were not awarded degrees because they were from 1971, and 23 when I became an advocate of the Supreme Court.

I don't think anyone I know now has touched that. That means the best part of your life You spend time at the university, then go to find a job. So these issues had to be resolved. Then you will find the non-UGC universities coming up, and then they get students because the job market is there.

Now, this is a problem not only for the UGC universities here but also for many universities abroad. But we had to find our own solution and not wait to see what others were going to do with regard to the universities. Then comes the issue of remuneration. Your main issue has been the present taxation, but another one that has been raised in universities is how you would pay your academic staff. In Western universities, each one is judged to be worth something in the market, and given that, are we to do that? Or are we going to carry on with this same system? As far as the non-UGC universities are concerned, I have no doubt that they will decide what the pay should be for each individual.

These are the issues that we have to face. And then the research that is being done: how are the peer reviews? What are the standards? There are allegations regarding some of the research items that have been made, and all that has to be cleared. I mentioned to the chairman and some of the VCs that we don't have sufficient postgraduate studies in this country.

What are the postgraduate studies you have done?

The single University of Ceylon changed the culture of Ceylon with two plays "Maname" and "Sinhabaahu". With that came the change. They produced the University of Ceylon History in four volumes. Some are maybe out of date, nevertheless, look at all the rest of it that they produced at the University of Ceylon. Have we all together in any way equalled that? I'm not asking about overtaking equalled that; that's a question mark.

So, these are serious issues that we have to think about. If you don't tackle these issues, you are going to face serious problems with the university education provided by the UGC University. Outside of that, there is the question that every university has to face today. What is a university? How do you educate? You had social media; you had it online.

You have AI, and you have chat GBT, which people use for exams and some for their postgraduate research. So, can these brick-and-mortar institutes suffice? Or are we to use the technology? This is another issue that we have to take up. So, my effort is to ensure that you are focused on this and come up with solutions.

If you look at the population of South Asia in 2050, India will have about another 3–400 million, maybe going up to 1.7 billion. And that poverty level will decrease, and better income numbers will increase. This will happen in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, and the East African nations. Now all of them can’t build universities. India will have nothing else to do if they are going to provide education for all of them, so they will either use other techniques. So, we have to be sure of that. But if we have a sufficient number of universities, we can cater to some of them from those areas. Now they are catering to our needs. But there may come a time when we have to cater to their needs.

So, these are the issues we have to think of because the structure of the universities will no longer be the same. There was a big debate originally about the first university in Ceylon, whether it was to be residential or not. They took the Oxford and Cambridge Model, and that's the structure of Peradeniya University. But if you look at the newer universities, all the residents are no longer there.

Now, the question is not whether they are going to be halls of residence. Will there be halls for lectures?

So, we have to address these issues and find solutions because we have appointed a Cabinet Committee on Education, which is going into all the issues. So I thought I'd mention to you all: what are the questions that we will be posing to you? So I don't want to take any more of your time, but I must congratulate all those who got the awards here.

What you have done is to raise the reputation of Sri Lankan universities for research, and taking that into account, we will make more money available for research. But how are we going to do it? We haven't determined yet. I thought I would put about a billion aside for a year. I don't know if you can use it for the other subjects as well.

And by then, we'll have the Institute of History for History and Archaeology to carry on. So thank you again for inviting me, and all the best to the award winners.

President’s Media Division (PMD)

The assessment, slated to commence soon, holds immense significance as it directly impacts the country's ease of doing business rating and its ability to attract foreign investments.

In an important development, Sri Lanka has been informed about the impending country assessment on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. This assessment holds significant weight as Sri Lanka's compliance in these areas is crucial for enhancing the ease of doing business rating and attracting foreign investments.

As discussions unfold, it becomes apparent that addressing the identified gaps in the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework is of utmost importance. Failure to rectify these gaps poses a potential risk of Sri Lanka once again being labelled as a country with strategic deficiencies. Such a designation could have severe adverse effects on the country's economic development.
Recognizing the urgency, it is imperative for Sri Lanka to prioritize bridging these gaps, which will also support the governance and anti-corruption framework, ensuring the successful implementation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.

During the discussions, various issues have come to light. One major concern is the bureaucratic hurdles and legal complexities faced by the citizens, resulting in frequent court visits. Participants reflect upon the past, where significant infrastructure projects were accomplished within specified timeframes, even amidst an ongoing war. However, the current administrative structure and an excess of legal professionals hinder the timely completion of projects, demanding a comprehensive review.

To tackle these challenges effectively, a recommendation is made for all stakeholders, including the bench, the bar, the government, and the parliament, to convene and compile a joint report. This collaborative effort would provide a clear roadmap for addressing the backlog and delays caused by legal proceedings. Additionally, it is emphasized that the formulation of a national policy, determined by parliament rather than the cabinet, is essential to resolve various issues and ensure broad agreement on critical subjects.
Following is the speech delivered by President Ranil Wickremesinghe –
Well, it's been a long and fruitful discussion, but I don't think I should keep you all too long because yesterday, I was given 15 minutes, but I nearly took twice that time. As the representative of the government, along with the three panel members, I will address the issues raised. One of the primary complaints has been the bureaucracy, laws, and the increasing frequency of court visits. Reflecting on my 17 years in government, during the first ten years, we successfully constructed seven large reservoirs in the Mahaveli scheme, as well as Samanala Wewa and Lunugam Vehera outside of it. We also built the Left Bank canals, Right Bank canals, and completed all these projects on time.

During President Jayawardena's tenure, we established two investment promotion zones and a new capital with a parliament, along with several buildings. During President Pramadasa's time, we developed two more investment promotion zones, including 200 garment factories. We managed to stay on schedule, with no major overruns, despite the on-going war at that time. However, the current circumstances make it challenging to achieve similar results. Therefore, we need to re-evaluate the entire administrative structure. Regarding the issue of backlog and law delays, which Justice Priyantha Gunawardane emphasized, I propose that all stakeholders, including the bench, bar, government, and parliament, come together to produce a unified report. This would facilitate parliamentary action and allow input from opposition lawyers.

We can all convene and work out the necessary steps within a short period of time. As a representative of the government, I will ensure the involvement of the Secretary and the treasury, depending on the available resources. Adequate funding is essential. Additionally, I recommend that the unofficial bar, official bar, and bench provide a report on other raised concerns. The lack of a national policy contributes to some of these problems. While most governments have neglected the formulation of national policies, our constitution places the responsibility on parliament rather than the cabinet. Therefore, we aim to implement this system and have already established a committee on national policy. Though agreement among all may not be guaranteed, striving for the broadest possible consensus on various subjects is our objective, ensuring their enactment.

Now, addressing the energy issue, we must first focus on unbundling the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). Unbundling was advised by the Asian Development Bank in 2003, but later, due to union influence, the government reversed the decision. The unions now insist on unbundling. Had we done it in 2004, we would have avoided the current problem.

The second issue pertains to renewable energy. We have a renewable energy authority under the 13th Amendment and it’s under the Provincial Councils and the other is hydroelectricity. As for the national grid, its definition remains incomplete, allowing for the possibility of parallel grids. Consequently, an energy regulator, specifically an electricity regulator, is necessary to balance the powers of the CEB and the Provincial Councils. We are currently exploring the appropriate regulatory framework and seeking resolutions for the raised concerns, including tariffs. Furthermore, we have initiated a committee on Digital Transformation to drive digitalization in the government. During my tenure as Minister of Industries and Technology, we discussed digitalization in customs, but even after 30 years, progress has been insufficient. The presence of numerous lawyers leads to further complications, with court stays being sought amid on-going processes. To address this problem, we are introducing a new system inspired by the Malaysian model the Lab methodology. This system involves bringing all stakeholders together to discuss and provide a report within six weeks, which the government will then implement. In the Sinhalese language, we refer to this approach as "Sanghayana" where everyone participates, discusses, and returns with recommendations. This methodology aims to resolve government-related issues and streamline procedures in collaboration with the private sector. Lastly, regarding the local firms, we will provide assistance to competitive companies to improve their competitiveness. However, non-competitive local firms cannot expect special treatment. In the past, we focused heavily on the construction sector, providing BOI proposals and tax incentives. Our economy became overly reliant on concrete-related activities. While we support the growth of our construction and real estate firms, we also encourage other companies to come if they meet our standards. A level playing field is essential for development. By looking beyond our borders and adopting a unified policy, we can overcome the challenges we face. I won't take any more of your time as you have other sessions and a lunch break. I extend my gratitude to all of you, and let's follow up on these matters. Finally, I want to emphasize that we are preparing for the upcoming country assessment on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. Sri Lanka recognizes the importance of addressing the identified gaps, strengthening our governance framework, and ensuring compliance. With the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, we strive for sustainable economic development and international cooperation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kaushalya Navaratne, President, Bar Association of Sri Lanka addressing the gathering said, “The aim of this conference is to initiate a dialogue between the legal fraternity, policymakers, bureaucrats, and the business community. Recognizing the significance of both entrepreneurship and the rule of law, it is crucial for these sectors to understand each other's importance for the nation's prosperity.
To ensure a fruitful discussion, it is essential to involve the political leadership, and we appreciate the dedication of President Wickremesinghe in joining us for this event. The presence of senior judicial officers, policymakers, bureaucrats, lawyers, and corporate leaders will contribute to candid and open discussions.

The focus of the conversation should be on real problems and realities, aiming to find long-lasting solutions. With this in mind, let us commence the conversation and work towards a productive outcome.”
Addressing the gathering, Mr Faiszer Mustapha PC, Chairman NLC said, “Reflecting on the past 75 years since our independence, we acknowledge the initial optimism for Sri Lanka's growth. However, the devastating impact of war and economic mismanagement has hindered our progress and led us to our current challenges. It is now our duty to rectify past mistakes and confront these obstacles.
We must begin by addressing our debt and engaging in debt restructuring to regain control of our economy. Business as usual is no longer an option; we must forge a new path towards efficient economic growth and sustainable development. This requires a deep understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the legal fraternity, judiciary, entrepreneurs, and guardians of the rule of law.
The business community plays a crucial role in job creation, wealth generation, and innovation. Without a thriving business sector, our nation's advancement will be compromised. It is essential for the legal fraternity and judiciary to foster trust and collaboration with the business community, while businesses must uphold the rule of law and consider their social responsibilities beyond individual targets.”
Supreme Court Justice Priyantha Jayawardena PC said, “The significance of this conference cannot be understated, particularly in light of the unprecedented economic and financial challenges our nation is currently facing. It is our collective responsibility to strive for the betterment of our country and overcome this situation.

The fact that we have gathered here today is a testament to the shared interest we all have in this conference. Throughout the event, we will be focusing on important topics such as improving the ease of doing business, enhancing contract enforcement within a favourable legal framework, and related subjects.

It is crucial to note that Sri Lanka's current rankings by the World Bank place us at 29th in the ease of doing business index and 164th in enforcing contracts. These rankings significantly influence investment decisions, making it imperative for us to address these parameters for the economic revival of our nation.”

Mr. M. Rajaram, Partner/Chairman, K&L Gates Straits Law LLC (Singapore); “Investors perceive Sri Lanka as an increasingly attractive destination for investments, as acknowledged in discussions held in Singapore, India, the UK, and the US. However, investors seek certain assurances and a level of comfort when considering investment opportunities. When disputes arise, investors prioritize two key factors: certainty of outcome and a fast resolution.

Drawing from Singapore's experience, specialized judges and a case management system have been established to address different types of issues, aiming to resolve cases within 15 months in most instances. Additionally, modernization efforts, such as paperless filings and electronic hearings, have been implemented in Singaporean courts.
Despite being a small nation with limited natural resources and a smaller population compared to Sri Lanka, Singapore has successfully embraced these measures. Therefore, the suggestion is made to consider modernizing Sri Lanka's court system using artificial intelligence (AI) and implementing strict case management controls.”
President’s Counsel Dr. K Kanag-Isvaran, President’s Counsel Dr. Faiz Mustapha, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, President's Senior Adviser on Economic Affairs Dr. R.H. Samaratunga, attended the conference as panelists while President’s Counsel Mr. Chandaka Jayasundere moderated the panel discussion.
Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, Mr. Ronald Perera PC, Chairman, Bank of Ceylon, Chairman, Sri Lanka, Insurance Corporation Mr. Thulci Aluwihare, Deputy Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo(Pvt) Ltd, Mrs. Nadeeja Tambiah, President- Head of Legal and Secretarial- John Keells Holdings, Mr. Mohamed Azmeer, CEO, Amana Bank PLC, Mr. Premalal Brahmanage, Chairman, Prime Group, Mr. Nirmal Cooke, Group Director Capital Maharaja Organization, Mr. Vinod Hirdaramani, Chairman, Hirdaramani Group, Mr. Asgi Akbarally, Executive Director, Akbar Brothers Group, Mr. Dipak Das, Managing Director, Lanka IOC PLC, Mr. Imal Fonseka, Chief Executive Officer, Richardson Group, Mr. Janaka Abeysinghe, Chief Executive Officer, Sri Lanka Telecom, Mr.Thushan Meemanage, Director, Scope Cinemas (Pvt) Limited and a distinguished group of Supreme Court judges and lawyers attended this event.