Sir Wilfred De Soysa
1951 – 1952
Wilfred & Co. Ltd.
Chartered Since 1948
About The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka
Founded in 1948 soon after Sri Lanka gained independence, The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka is the premier forum and catalyst for the Sri Lankan enterprise community.
Institutional Heritage & Legal Mandate
Serving the Sri Lankan Enterprise Community for Over 78 Years
The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka was established in 1948 by pioneering Ceylonese entrepreneurs who envisioned an independent, domestic business chamber dedicated to national economic sovereignty. Incorporated by an Act of Parliament (Act No. 35 of 1958), the Chamber has consistently advocated for policies fostering sustainable industrial growth, competitive export manufacturing, and micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) empowerment.
Operating from its headquarters in Colombo 10, the Chamber acts as the authoritative non-governmental bridge between the business community, state regulatory ministries, foreign diplomatic missions, and international trade federations.
0+
Corporate Members
0+
SME Members
National Chamber Building at Colombo 10
Our Vision
To be the foremost and most respected catalyst for national commerce, industrial self-reliance, and sustainable economic competitiveness, positioning Sri Lankan enterprises as trusted global trade partners.
Our Mission
To protect, foster, and expand the trade, commerce, and manufacturing sectors of Sri Lanka through decisive policy advocacy, cutting-edge trade facilitation, international market corridors, and regional capacity building.
Strategic Pillars
Guiding Principles of Chamber Advocacy
Policy Representation
Direct involvement in government fiscal committees, pre-budget submissions, trade tariff negotiations, and regulatory reform task forces.
Global Connectivity
Active Bilateral Business Councils, international MoUs with counterpart chambers across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, and inbound/outbound trade delegations.
Digital Transformation
Pioneering 24/7 online Certificate of Origin verification, modern Virtual Trade Library access, and B2B export directories.
Explore Chamber Leadership
Meet the distinguished council members and executive committee steering our institution.
Past Presidents
Honouring the distinguished leaders who have guided The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka across the decades.
Mr. Robert Parakrama Senanayake
1952 – 1955
Freudenberg & Co. (Ceylon) Ltd.
Sir Cyril De Zoysa
1955 – 1957
The South Western O’bus Co. Ltd.
Mr. Faleel Abdul Caffoor
1957 – 1958
N D H Abdul Caffoor Ltd.
Mr. J L M Fernando
1958 – 1960 & 1961 - 1966
Air Ceylon
Senator Justin Kotalawala
1960 – 1961
Ceylon Insurance Co.
Mr. D L F Pedris
1966 – 1970
William Pedris & Co. Ltd.
Mr. H R Fernando
1970 – 1971 & 1972 – 1977
H R Fernando & Co.
Mr. Roland Wanigatunga
1971 – 1972
R Wanigatunga & Co.
Mr. A D E de S Wijeyeratne
1977 – 1982
A D E de S Wijeyeratne Company
Mr. J A Leembruggen
1982 – 1983
Smith Klein Beecham Mackwoods Ltd.
Mr. G S Chatoor
1983 – 1985
Saboor Chatoor (Pvt) Ltd.
Mr. M Manoharan
1985 – 1987
Manoharan & Sangakkara Chartered Accountants
Mr. H S De Silva
1987 – 1988
Shermon Sons Ltd.
Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya
1988 – 1990
C.W. Mackie PLC
Mr. L L Samarasinghe
1990 – 1992
Mackwoods Ltd.
Mr. Muni Kundanmal
1992 – 1994
Kundanmals Ltd.
Major Douglas L Wijesinha
1994 – 1995
Grip Engineering (Pte) Ltd.
Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa
1995 – 1996
Associated Motorways (Private) Limited
Mr E Armyne Wirasinha
1996 – 1998
Ceylon ShippingLines Ltd.
Mr. Hari Selvanathan
1998 – 2000
Sri Krishna Corporation Ltd.
Dr. Chandra J Embuldeniya
2000 – 2002
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Mr. Asoka de Z Gunasekera
2002 – 2005
IWS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.
Ms. Nirmali Samaratunga
2005 – 2007
Mackwoods Group
Mr. D Eassuweran
2007 – 2009
Eswaran Brothers Exports (Pvt) Ltd.
Mr. Chandra Lal de Alwis
2009 – 2011
CAL Exports Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.
Mr. Asoka Hettigoda
2011 – 2013
Hettigoda Industries (Pvt) Ltd.
Mr. Sunil G. Wijesinha
2013 – 2015
Siyapatha Finance Limited
Mr. Thilak Godamanna
2015 – 2017
Ninehearts Group of Companies
Mr. Sujeeve Samaraweera
2017 – 2019
Atlas Logistics Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
Mr. Asela de Livera
2019 – 2021
Koolair (Pvt) Ltd
Mr. Nandika Buddhipala
2021 – 2023
Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
Mr. Deepal Nelson
2023 – 2025
GSH City Hotel (Pvt) Ltd