Canisius Fernando

2021 - 2023

Succeeding Mr. Ruwan Edirisinghe, a leading businessman Mr. Canisius Fernando was elected as the Chairman of CNCI in the year 2021 and served for 2 years ending his chairmanship in 2023.  He obtained his initial Degree in Management followed by a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland in Australia.

In addition to his responsibility as the Chairman of CNCI, he also holds the honorary appointment of the Chairman of “Indexpo Certification Ltd” which is a Certification Body initiated by the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries together with the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka.

Ruwan Edirisinghe

2019 - 2021

Ruwan Edirisinghe is an entrepreneur behind one of Sri Lanka’s most successful homegrown group of companies ‘RN Group’ which is into the construction industry. He was appointed as the CNCI Chairman from 2019 to 2021. He has been graduated as a Civil Engineer from the University of Peradeniya followed by his Post Graduate Diploma in Construction Management from the University of Moratuwa.

RN Constructions Ltd. was established in 1996 after graduation and has since expanded to over 10 manufacturing factories under the RN Group. The company offers a range of steel building products, ready mix concrete, and cement products. Edirisinghe holds the positions of President of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) and President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL). He is also a Council Member of Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) and a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Raja Hewabowala

2017 - 2019

Mr. Raja Hewabowala a Sri Lankan premier businessman was appointed as the CNCI Chairman in the year 2017 until 2019.

With over 40 years of experience in various industries, including Silicone Coatings, led to the establishment of Silicone Coatings in 1979 under the name 'Nippolac'. Over the years, the company has grown to a leading position in the market, with a joint venture with Asia's No. 1 paint manufacturer, Nippon Paint, in 2012. Today, Nippolac and Nippon Paint are the leading brands in the paint and coating market. Mr. Raja Hewabowala is also the Director of Nippon Paints Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Tissa Seneviratne

2015 - 2017

Mr. Tissa Seneviratne was offered the Chairmanship of the CNCI in the year 2015 until 2017.

Mr. Tissa Seneviratne is an Environment Science MSc holder of OUSL and has obtained an MBA at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, and completed his Bachelor of Industrial Studies after following Advanced Diploma in Industrial Management at OUSL. He is a National Diploma in Technology holder from the University of Moratuwa, in 1976.

Tissa Seneviratne, a former Mechanical Superintendent at Ceylon Ceramics Corporation, later became a Factory Engineer at Lipton Ceylon Ltd. He later worked as an Inspection Engineer at Altawil Maintenance & Operations Management in Saudi Arabia. In 1986, he became the Product Manager of the Swedish Trading Company Mt Lavenia. He founded Tranco Tech (Pvt) Ltd, providing engineering solutions to the local industry.

Gamini Gunasekara

2013 - 2015

Mr. Gunasekera was the 25th Chairman of The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries from year 2014 – 2016.

He is a Chemical Engineer by profession and also an Attorney-at-law, a Fellow of the Institute of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka, and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Services, U.K. He holds an LLB Degree, an MBA from the Post-Graduate Institute of Management, and a Master of Law (LLM) Degree Majoring in Commercial Law from the University of Colombo. He was also a Board Member of the National Engineering, Research and Development Centre (NERD) of Sri Lanka from year 2009 – 2013.

Preethi Jayawardena

2011 - 2013

Succeeding Mr. Sunil Liyange, Mr. Preethi Jayawardena was given the chairmanship from 2011 to 2013.

Mr. Jayawardena is the Chairman of CAL Exports Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. He is also a non-executive Director of CIC Holdings PLC and The Chairman of Commercial Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Ltd. He was the former deputy Chairman of Commercial Bank PLC and has served as non-executive Director in several other listed and unlisted companies. He was also The Past Chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors. He was a member of the Monetary Policy Consultative Committee of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and a past council member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. He has served in Zambia Chartered Consolidated Copper Mines for 13 years in several senior positions including Head of Treasury. He is a Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.

Sunil Liyanage

2010 - 2011

Late Mr. Sunil Liyanage was appointed as the CNCI Chairman in 2010 and held its chairmanship until 2011.

He was a fellow of the Plastics and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka (FPRI) and held a Diploma in Polymer Technology (Singapore), the Diploma of the Plastics Institute (LOND.), and a Licentiate of the Institute of Rubber Industry (LOND.) He had over 46 years of management experience in the fields of rubber and plastics. Mr. Liyanage was also a visionary business leader, who has been instrumental in launching many innovative products in the polymer category and has the honor of being the first person to commercialize flexible polyurethane foam in this country in the form of mattresses, cushions, and sheets.

Newton Wickramasuriya

2008 - 2010

Mr. Newton Wickramasuriya (deceased December 17, 2022) was appointed Chairman of the CNCI in the year 2008 and held the chairmanship in 2010.

He holds a B.Sc Engineering degree from the University of Peradeniya and is a Chartered Engineer in the UK and Sri Lanka. He was a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK), and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka. A past President of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, and he was the Director/CEO of Central Industries PLC. He was also a Member of the LHI Share Trust. He has served on the Boards of several statutory bodies and counts over 40 years of experience in the industry here and abroad.

A.K. Ratnarajah

2006 - 2008

The chairman followed by Mr. Nimal Perera was Mr. A.K Ratnarajah who served in the Chamber for 2 years from the year 2006 to 2008.

Nimal Perera

2004 - 2006

Mr. Nimal Perera served as the 20th Chairman of the CNCI from the year 2004 to 2006.

He has served as the Chairman of the Board of INDEXPO Certification (PVT) Ltd, a joint venture project of UNIDO, CNCI, and NCE, a Member of the Boards of Kuruwita Manchester Textiles Mills Ltd (BRANDIX Textiles), Sri Lanka Institute of Textiles and Apparels (SLITA), Sri Lanka National Arbitration Centre (SLNAC), Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL)

Ranjith Hettiarachchy

2002 - 2004

Mr. Ranjith Hettiarachchy was elected as the Chairman of the Chamber in the year 2002 and he continued to work until 2004, completing 2 years of his service to the Chamber.

Asoka De Z Gunasekara

2001 - 2002

The Group Director of IWS Holdings Group of Companies, Mr. Asoka Gunasekara was appointed as the Chairman of the CNCI from the year 2001 to 2002. He held several other positions such as Director - Ceylon Guardian Investment Trust Ltd, and Deputy Chairman - Telecommunication Users Association.

Mr. Gunasekara was also a passionate social worker who dedicated most of his time to Lions International and was rewarded with many honors and awards.

Bandula Perera

1999 - 2001

Dr. Perera was appointed as the chairman of the CNCI, after Mr. Samarakkody in the year 1999. Dr. Perera holds positions in several organizations such as a member of the Institute of Fundamental Studies, Industrial Association of Sri Lanka, the Governing Board of NERD and the Chairman of the Industrial Development Board.

Dr. Perera served for 2 years until the year 2001 in the Chamber.

Nimal Samarakkody

1997 - 1999

Mr. Nimal Samarakkody was appointed Chairman – CNCI in the year 1997. He also holds the position of the Chairman of the Board at S.A Perera & Company (Pvt) Ltd and was a former Treasurer of the ‘Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya’ as well.

Mr. Samarakkody bid farewell to his Chairmanship of the Chamber in the year 1999.

Patrick Amarasinghe

1995 - 1997

Mr. Patrick Amarasinghe (December 24, 1932 – October 08, 2015) held the Chairmanship of the CNCI during the years 1995 to 1997 completing 2 years of his service towards the Chamber.

Interested in community and social development, he started Woodplex, a wooden educational toy brand, and Furnifits Ltd. in his backyard. He recognized the lack of utilization of the nation's talents and bureaucracy in exporting and founded the National Exporters Association (NEA) in 1986. Despite being deterred by the Export Development Board, he remained on the Governing Committee of the Federation of Exporters, expanding membership to various sectors and promoting export impact.

In 1989, he was appointed to the Directorate of the Export Development Board (EDB), where he influenced export sector activities. He served on boards of various government and private institutions, including the National Development Council and training institutions. He also served as Founder President/President Emeritus of the National Chamber of Exporters Sri Lanka, President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sri Lanka, Chairman of the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, and Chairman of the People's Rural Development Association.

Nihal Abeysekara

1993 - 1995

Succeeding Mr. Lal De Mel, the 14th Chairman Mr. Nihal Abeysekara was appointed to lead the CNCI in the year 1993.

Mr. Abeysekara who was employed by Richard Pieris & Co. Ltd. held the Vice Chairmanship of the Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP) at its inaugural meeting after the resolution.

He stepped down from his position as the Chairman – CNCI in the year 1995 serving for 2 years.

Lal De Mel

1991 - 1993

Mr. Lal De Mel (deceased 19 August 2021) was the 13th Chairman of the Chamber succeeding Mr. Vignarajah. Mr. De Mel served for 2 years from 1991 to 1993.

Mr. De Mel was a former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation as well as a Former Director of CIC.

K.C Vignarajah

1990 - 1991

Mr. K.C Vignarajah was successfully appointed as the successor of Mr. Chandra Karunanayake and served as the Chairman during the years 1990 and 1991.

Good governance activist, K.C. Vignarajah has been appointed a special representative to the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI) to serve the industrialists and chambers in the North and East of the country.

Chandra Karunanayake

1987 - 1990

Mr. Chandra Karunanayake was elected Chairman of the Chamber in the year 1987. He rendered his services as the 11th Chairman until the year 1990.

R.B Pahathkumbura

1984 - 1987

Following Mr. D.S Madanayake, Mr. R.B Pahathkumbura was appointed as the 10th Chairman of the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries. He served for 3 years from 1984 – 1987.

D.S Madanayake

1982 - 1984

D. S. Madanayake hailing from a business family completed his studies in Law and Economics at the University of Cambridge London. On his return, he worked as a junior lawyer under H. W. Jayewardene before he joined the Central Bank as a staff officer. During this time the government was providing a lot of incentives to start local industries which made Madanayake think of starting a pencil company. This thought was escalated until Sri Lanka’s leading stationery manufacturer, “Atlas Sri Lanka” was founded, which now is led by his son Mr. Nirmal Madanayake.

Mr. D. S Madanayake was the 9th Chairman of the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries from 1982 through 1984.

A. R. P Wijeyesekara

1980 - 1982

Being the successor of the late Mr. Gilbert Jayasuriya, Mr. A.R.P Wijeyesekara was multi-faceted personality with a variety of interests.

ARPs, a former engineer, studied at Royal College and later worked in various private and government institutions, including Ceylon Government Railway, CTB, Unilever, Lanka Sugar Corporation, State Hardware Corporation, and Richard Peiris Co Ltd. He began his career as an engineer and later studied in England and Canada for IMechE exams and diesel electric locomotives. During the Queen's visit to Ceylon, he was chosen to be in charge of the train.

ARP worked as Chief Engineer at the CTB and later became Chairman in 1968. He standardized the fleet to Fiat, Ashok Leyland, and Tata Benz, reducing spare parts inventories. He shared his experience with professional bodies and became the President of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka in 1980. He organized a course for students to earn a professional degree and wrote to Prime Minister Premadasa about weather modification by cloud seeding. He was President of the Chambers of Commerce and Industries and Chairman of the National Chamber of Industries (1980-1982). A strong UNPer, he was the joint secretary of the committee that drafted the 1977 UNP manifesto.

Gilbert Jayasuriya

1978 - 1980

Mr. Gilbert Jayasuriya (deceased 05 March 2003) was the successor to Mr. De Mel. Educated at Royal College, Colombo, the University of Ceylon, and the Lincoln's Inn London. Gilbert was the President of the University of Ceylon Law Society and an outstanding sportsman during his university days. After completing his law degree, he opted for the Private Sector and held some of the most prestigious positions during his long and distinguished career.

Gilbert, a legal advisor at Lever Brothers Ceylon Ltd., retired as a Senior Director in 1977 and became a hotelier. He held various positions, including Chairman and Managing Director of several hotels, and Director of Multi-Packs Ceylon Ltd. He was also the Chairman of the Tourist Hotels Association, leading Private/Public Sector Investment Missions to countries like the USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Scandinavian Countries. Gilbert was also the Chairman of the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries and the President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

H.E.P De Mel

1976 - 1978

Hugh Edmund Peter de Mel (17 June 1907 – 27 September 1992) was a Ceylonese politician. De Mel ran as the United National Party candidate at the 2nd parliamentary election, held between 24 May 1952 and 30 May 1952, in the Talawakelle electorate. He was successfully polling 1,198 votes (54% of the total vote) 352 votes clear of his nearest rival.

At the subsequent 3rd parliamentary election, held between 5 April 1956 and 10 April 1956, de Mel chose to contest the seat of Moratuwa rather than Talawakelle. He was unsuccessful in his bid, losing to the Lanka Sama Samaja Party candidate, Meryl Fernando, by 7,718 votes. Fernando, a trade unionist, had earlier tried to organize workers at de Mel's match factory in 1945.

De Mel served on the Executive Council of the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries as Deputy Chairman for several years in the 1960s and was appointed as the Chairman in the year 1976 and served for 2 years until 1978.

Edmund J. Cooray

1970 - 1975

Edmund Joseph Cooray, CMG, OBE (November 3, 1915 - January 1, 2016) was a Ceylonese Senator and the Minister of Justice in the Second Dudley Senanayake cabinet. He attended the 1960 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference in London on behalf of the Dominion of Ceylon.

Having graduated with a BA from the University of London, he qualified as a barrister and established his legal practice as an advocate. He was a lecturer for digest and vote at the Ceylon Law College. He served as the Commissioner of Co-operative Development and thereafter chairman of the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1952 Birthday Honours and a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1955 Birthday Honours for his services to the co-operative movement.

K. Somasundaram

1965 - 1970

Following Mr. A. Ratnayake, Mr. K. Somasundaram was appointed as the Chairman of the CNCI in the year 1965. He served for 5 years as the 4th Chairman of the Chamber and stepped down from his position in the year 1970.

A. Ratnayake

1963 - 1965

Mr Arthur Ratnayake, was elected as the 3rd Chairman of the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries in the year 1963. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advocate from University of London. He has rendered his service as the Chairman to the Chamber for 2 years since 1963 to 1965.

Sir Claude Corea K.B.E

1962 - 1963

Sir George Claude Stanley Corea, KBE (29 January 1894 – 2 September 1962) was a Sri Lankan politician and diplomat. Former President of the United Nations Security Council, he had served as the Ceylonese Minister of Labour, Industry and Commerce, the Ceylonese Ambassador to the United States, the Ceylonese High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, the Ceylonese Representative to the United Nations and the successor to Mr. Cyril E.S Perera the founding Chairman of the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries.

Corea entered colonial-era politics when he was elected to the State Council of Ceylon from his hometown of Chilaw in the 1931 general elections. In 1933, he served as acting Minister of Home Affairs for a short time. He was re-elected in the 1936 general election and served as Minister of Labour, Industry, and Commerce in Ceylon's Second Board of Ministers from 1936 to 1946. In 1932, 1939, and 1941, he was elected President of the Ceylon National Congress (CNC). During WWII, he believed that the CNC should not advocate for "mere constitutional reforms," but rather for the transfer of sovereignty to the people of Ceylon. In 1945, he was the head of the Board of Ministers Sub Committee entrusted with settling post-war concerns, and he was considered a potential Ceylon's first prime minister.

Cyril E. S. Perera

1960 - 1962

Cyril E. S. Perera, QC, (19 January 1892 – 27 March 1968) was a former member of the House of Representatives (Ceylon), and in later life a leading businessman.

Cyril Ernest Stanley Perera was born on 19 January 1892 and received his secondary education at St. Anthony's College, Kandy. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree and first-class honours Bachelor of Law degree from the University of London and was called to the bar at Gray's Inn.

In 1938 Perera, in association with Hugh Weerasekere, founded the Ceylon Insurance Company (predecessor to Ceylinco Consolidated) and was a member of its board until his death. He also floated the Finance Company of Ceylon (now called, The Finance Co. PLC), started the first Ceylonese shipping venture, the Eastern Star Lines, and was involved in establishing Ceylon Chocolates Limited in 1962, which produces the famous Kandos chocolates in Sri Lanka. He was one of the founder members of the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries and was its first chairman. At the time of his death, on 27 March 1968, he was either chairman or on the directorate of several Ceylonese organizations.