Welcome to the Sri Lankan Business Council!

The Sri Lankan Business Council (SLBC) in the UAE was first established in Abu Dhabi in 1991. In 1993, it came under the patronage of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, further strengthening its role in supporting the Sri Lankan business community in the UAE. In 2003, it was formally registered as a Business Council under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Today, SLBC brings together Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, senior professionals, and corporate members across the UAE, creating a trusted platform that strengthens business relationships and supports trade and investment between Sri Lanka and the UAE.

Our purpose is to foster meaningful connections within the business community, unlock opportunities for collaboration, and contribute to sustainable economic growth while positioning SLBC as a leading example of a dynamic and forward-looking business council.

Our
History

The Sri Lankan Business Council (SLBC) in Dubai & Northern Emirates was formed in the year 1991 under the umbrella of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai in the UAE. Later it evolved into a registered Business Council under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the year 2004.

Our
Mission

To foster robust trade relationships between Sri Lanka and the UAE by uniting the business community, facilitating mutual opportunities, and promoting sustainable economic growth.

Our
Vision

o become the benchmark for dynamic business councils, inspiring emulation through our innovative approaches and impactful contributions to bilateral trade and investment between Sri Lanka and the UAE.

Chairman’s Message

It is both an honour and a privilege to serve as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Business Council UAE during this significant milestone year as we celebrate our 35th Anniversary. YOver the years, SLBC has grown into a vibrant and respected platform for Sri Lankan businesses and professionals in the United Arab Emirates. What defines this Council is not only its growth, but the spirit that binds its members — a shared commitment to connect, collaborate, support, and contribute.
In a world often divided along many lines, SLBC has remained committed to inclusiveness, neutrality, and unity. We stand together as Sri Lankans — respectful of our diversity, but united in purpose. We are also deeply grateful to the United Arab Emirates, a nation that continues to provide an environment of stability, opportunity, and respect for people from all backgrounds, setting an example of inclusive progress.

As we look ahead, the focus of the Council remains clear: to create meaningful opportunities for business development, strengthen bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and the UAE, and expand engagement through collaboration with regional and international networks. I encourage all members to actively participate, contribute ideas, and engage with one another, as the strength of this Council lies in its collective community.

This Council belongs to its members, and its continued success is driven by their involvement and commitment. I would like to sincerely thank all members, partners, and supporters for their trust and continued encouragement.

Together, let us continue to build a Council that connects people, creates opportunities, strengthens relationships, and makes us all proud.

With warm regards,

Suren Swaminathan

Chairman
Sri Lankan Business Council – Dubai and the Northern Emirates
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Upcoming Events

No upcoming events.

Testimonials

Lying at the hub of many shipping lanes joining the West, the Middle East, the Far East as well as Africa and Australia, Colombo has been recognised the world over as the hub port in South Asia. Colombo Dockyard is the island's leading Ship repair, Shipbuilding and Heavy Engineering facility, located inside the Port of Colombo. Shipyard operates 04 graving dry-docks with a maximum capacity of 125,000 Dwt.
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Mr. Darshana ChandrasekeraAsst. General Manager, Ship Repair Business, Colombo Dockyard PLC.
Mr. Darshana Chandrasekera
Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai & Northern Emirates (SLBC) is the oldest formally registered Sri Lankan organization which was formed in the year 1991 under the umbrella of the Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and subsequently registered under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the year 2004 providing an active platform for entrepreneurs and professionals to promote their endeavours.
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Mr. Charitha YattogodaFormer Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & Northern Emirates, October 2015 to December 2019
Mr. Charitha Yattogoda
I am an Architect by profession and the CEO of Home Makers (Pvt) Ltd, a design and build company in Colombo, Sri Lanka. We recently initiated an Interior Design company in Dubai and registered as HM Design Services Co. in June 2022. In my initial visit to establish the company I met Mr. Suren Swaminathan, a veteran Sri Lankan Business person in UAE and invited me to join the Sri Lankan Business Council.
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Mr. Roshan SenaratnePartner/ Chief Architect, HM Design Services Co. (UAE)
Mr. Roshan Senaratne
I have been very closely associated with the SLBC of Dubai from Aug 2014 to Oct 2017 in my capacity as the Director ( Middle East/Gulf/N.Africa) attached to the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai. The SLBC has been always a tower of strength to the Consulate & the Mission by playing an active role in virtually all the social and economic events where Sri Lanka needed to be portrayed.
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Mr. Hasitha de AlwisFormer Tea Commissioner, Dubai
Mr. Hasitha de Alwis

Eminent Senior Advisors to the Board

Mr. C. Chakradaran

Founding and Life Member - SLBC UAE He was the first recipient of the SLBC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014/15 for his outstanding contributions to the Sri Lankan community and SLBC.

Mr. Farook Kassim

Founding and Life Member - SLBC. 3 times former chairman of SLBC Dubai.

Mr. Gamini Kannangara

A senior member who served previous boards, and a stalwart for the Sri Lankan community.