Speaking at the Business Today Top Twenty Five Awards ceremony he stressed the need to make maximum use of the many opportunities that has been ushered in with the dawn of peace. Reminding those present of the past he said that people from all ethnicities, religions and walks of life throughout Sri Lanka underwent untold suffering during the terrorist conflict that claimed the lives of many thousands and brought untold misery and economic loss to the country.
The Business Today Top Twenty Five corporate awards ceremony was held under the patronage of Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Colombo Hilton Thursday evening (20). Chairperson of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa was also present at the occasion.
Drawing a positive sentiment Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka is a far different country today from what it was not so long ago. President Mahinda Rajapaksa was first elected to office in 2005 and through confidence and determination to bring peace and stability to Sri Lanka he achieved this objective within the first three and a half years of his time in office.
Mr. Rajapaksa said that the Government is very keen to work with the private sector and the civil society to overcome any remaining impediments that may exist for the unfettered functioning of our democracy and for inclusive, sustainable and vibrant economic growth.
In conclusion he said that reforms and ideals that could only be dreamt of in years past are now being demanded virtually instantly by some sections of our society. While this is perfectly understandable, we should not lose sight of the journey on which we have come, or of the destination that we have to reach.
What Sri Lanka most requires at this juncture is for all of us to unite and make the most of our opportunities so that our collective future will be so much brighter. Continuity is the key to achieving this. He said that we must not stray from the vibrant, transformative path we are on. Instead, we must all unite, as Sri Lankans, and continue this journey without pause so that this nation's aspirations will be achieved.
The gala event saw twenty five of the best business powerhouses being recognized with accolades for their resilience in trying circumstances and their contribution towards the local economy during the last financial year. Blue chip conglomerate John Keels Holdings topped the list with Commercial Bank and Ceylon Tobacco Company followed suit in second and third places respectively. Corporate giants Bukit Darah, Hatton National Bank, Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka, Dialog Axiata, Sri Lanka Telecom, Lanka IOC and Aitken Spence are the other companies among the top ten.
The Business Today Top Twenty Five awards ceremony held for the 17th consecutive year was organized by BT Options the Publishers of Business Today.
Venerable members of the Maha Sangha, BT options directors Mr Mathi Parthipan and Mrs Glenda Parthipan, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Chief of Defence Staff, captains of industry, business leaders, state officials, senior military officers, professional and a large number of distinguished invitees were also present at the occasion.
