“Remarkable Change” in Sri Lanka, Australian Business Delegation Tells President
A high-powered Australian business delegation, led by Sri Lankan-born Australian businessman Mr. Dilip Kumar, met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday (Aug. 11) afternoon. The team, which includes some of Australia’s top business leaders, toured many parts of the island last week – including the East, South and Central regions.
Speaking about their impressions of Sri Lanka, the members of the delegation, many of whom were visiting the country for the first time, said they were very impressed by what they saw. One member of the delegation who had visited Sri Lanka 17 years ago said, “I can’t believe the change in Colombo” describing what he saw as “remarkable change.”
Responding to a comment by the delegation about the “fabulous roads” around the country, President Rajapaksa explained that rebuilding infrastructure was one of the main priorities of the Government after the war ended.
“After 30 years of war, we were destroyed,” President Rajapaksa said.
The President also said that the tourism and service sectors are two areas that the Government is particularly keen on promoting further, particularly because of the high literacy rate of Sri Lanka.
President Rajapaksa expressed his appreciation for Australia’s support in a number of different sectors, including the support that has been extended thus far with preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 that will take place in November. Australia hosted CHOGM 2011 in Perth. He also encouraged the members of the delegation to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for investment among the Australian business community.
The Australian delegation consisted of the following:
1) Mr. Dilip Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director, Kumar Group and Peninsula Motors in Sydney.
2) Mr. Simon Mordant, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Greenhill; Co/Director, Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
3) Mr. Peter Ivany, Executive Chairman, Ivany Investment Group; Director, TAHL.
4) Mr. Andrew Banks, Chairman, Talent 2.
5) Mr. Stephen John Chapman, Deputy Chairman, Blackmore’s Limited; Independent Director, ANZ Wealth Group.
6) Mr. Danny Goldberg, Executive Chairman, Dakota Capital.
7) Mr. Phillip Cave, Chairman, Managing Director and Investment Committee Member, Anchorage Capital Partners.
8) Mr. John Marshall, Chairman and Founder, Marshall Investments; Chairman, Apparel Group.
9) Mr. Arvid Peterson, Managing Director, Peterson Investments.
Consul General of Sri Lanka in New South Wales and Queensland Ambassador Bandula Jayasekara, who coordinated the visit, was also present.
(Source: President Media)
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This group is a bunch of nobodies. Never heard of them in financial or business circles in Sydney or anywhere in Australia.
This bunch look like Bandula J’s booze mates somewhere. Isn’t it loveley to receive a state sponsored visit to Sri Lanka (SL taxpayer’s money!!) and get to visit the President too.
Thank you Bandula.
The good words at Temple Trees didn’t come for free. Will the Auditor General (if there is one !!) in Colombo query this expenditure and what benefits were realised from this expenditure?
Lahiru is right. That ex Sri Lankan guy in that group is a car salesman in Sydney. They all must have enjoyed that SL taxpayer funded trip to the Emerald Isle.