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Samantha Abeywickrama

Samantha Abeywickrama

Secretary General/ CEO

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location of Samantha AbeywickramaSri Lanka

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Chamber of Commerce CEO/ Association Management Expert

  • Education

    • Marylebone University, UK

      2008 - 2009
      Masters Degree Business Administration GPA 3.19

    • Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management

      1992 - 1994
      Diploma in Credit Management Credit Management Part Qualification

    • University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka

      1992 - 1994
      Bachelor's degree Natural Sciences Second Class (Upper Division)

      Activities and Societies: Secretary, University Buddhist Society

    • Open University of Sri Lanka

      1992 - 1994
      Diploma in Management Studies Management General Pass

  • Experience

    • Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka

      Jan 1995 - Aug 2009
      Secretary General/ CEO

      With a nationwide membership of over 55 chambers of commerce and business associations, FCCISL espouses the shared vision of Sri Lankan businesses and speaks directly and indirectly to over 12,500 business units. It has an expanding membership of enterprises drawn from large, medium, small and micro segments of manufacturing, distributive trade and services. FCCISL maintains the lead as the proactive business solution provider through research, interactions with the government and through global networking. Show less

    • Independent/ Freelance

      May 2009 - now
      Private Sector Development Consultant

      Currently providing professional consulting services to selected private sector/ non-profit sector/ associations, industry bodies, chambers of commerce and NGOs etc. in following areas;a. Providing overall vision, direction and strategic inputs to Client organisationsb. Guiding and facilitating teams of professionals, consultants, and field staff in delivering services, programmes and projects.c. Conceptualizing of projects and programmes, grant writing, project negotiation, project implementation policy representation & advocacy etc. and follow upe. Manage Financial/ Funding Affairsf. Support Boards of Directors. Show less

    • Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka

      Apr 2011 - Jan 2012
      Consultant

      Chamber of Construction Industry (CCI) is the apex representative body of the Construction Industry professionals and stakeholders in Sri Lanka which offers numerous services to its membership including government liaison.As the Consultant, I was responsible for institutional development, development of membership and income generating services and organising of trade/ industry promotional events.

    • All Island Agriculture Cooperatives Society Ltd

      Nov 2011 - Nov 2012
      Working Director

      AgCo comprises of prominent potato and vegetable cultivators mainly from the upcountry. It is a statutory body registered before the Commissioner of the Cooperative Development under the Cooperative Societies Act No. 05 of 1972 of the parliament and consists of 55 founder members. There are about 20,000 members of Upcountry Independent Farmers Association who obtain various services of this voluntary organization. The Society is administered by a Board of Directors appointed by the general body.As the Working Director in charge of International Relations, I contributed towards facilitating external affairs of the Society including partnership development, donor negotiations, liaison with national and international organisations etc. Show less

    • Ceylon Institute of Builders

      Aug 2012 - Feb 2016
      Executive Director

      Established in 1961, the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) is the premier institute for Building Professionals in Sri Lanka and is an accredited member body of the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) headquartered in the Netherlands. As the CEO, I contribute towards organisation’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives including programme development and administration.

    • Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Production, Rural Industries, Fisheries & Tourism, Eastern Province

      Mar 2013 - Mar 2015
      Advisor

      The Ministry creates institutional arrangements to implement technically sound, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sustainable agricultural development programmes in the Eastern Province.Advise the Ministry on matters relating to overall Private Sector/ Economic development strategy for the Eastern Province, including the sector development initiatives, investment promotion, livelihood development of communities, liaison with international donor organizations, employment creation in the province and any other matter falling within the purview of economic development in the region. Show less

    • Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka

      Jun 2013 - Jun 2014
      Chief Executive Officer

      The Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) is the voice of the Sri Lankan Information and Communication Technology “ICT” industry which is comprised of companies and ICT professionals representing Software, Hardware, Education and Training, Communication Services and Professional Service segments of Sri Lankan ICT industries. Established in 1994, FITIS acts as the nucleus of five industry associations of the ICT Industry in Sri Lanka;As the CEO, I contributed towards organisation’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives including programme development and administration. Show less

    • Industrial Development Board of Ceylon

      Feb 2014 - Jul 2014
      Consultant

      The Industrial Development Board of Ceylon (IDB) was established in May 1966 under the State Industrial Corporation Act No. 49 of 1957. The original intention in setting up this organization was to provide services and facilities of every description required for the encouragement, promotion and development of industries in Ceylon.As the Consultant I was responsible for facilitating the public-private partnership (ppp) between the IDB and regional chambers of commerce in Sri Lanka.

    • The Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry - Sri Lanka

      Aug 2014 - now
      Chief Executive Officer

      The Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ARABCCI) was established in 2014 as a leading organization at promoting commercial ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab World. The Chamber is run by business experts for business professionals, dedicated to opening enormous trade opportunities by providing extensive information and professional services to its members.

    • Eastern Province Road Passenger Transport Authority (EPRPTA)

      Jun 2015 - Oct 2017
      Chairman

      EPRPTA is the regulatory authority for overseeing the functions of Road Passenger Transport services in the Eastern Province established under the Provincial Statute of No. 02 of 2009.The Chairman is responsible for the overall administration and functioning of the Authority and is reporting to the Subject Minister.

    • Eastern Provincial Council, Sri Lanka

      Jun 2015 - Sept 2017
      Private Secretary to the Chief Minister of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

      The Provincial Councils were set up in Sri Lanka for the first time in terms of 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the Provincial Council Act. No. 42 of 1987.Private Secretary to the Chief Minister is the Chief of Staff of the personal staff of the Chief Minister and co-ordinates all official. administrative and development responsibilities with relevant state, international, non-governmental and private agencies.

    • International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka

      May 2016 - Dec 2016
      Acting Chief Executive Officer

      Incorporated in 1955, ICC Sri Lanka (ICCSL) is the Sri Lanka Chapter of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) headquartered in Paris. ICC Sri Lanka engages in a wide area of support to business and is the only licensed authority to issue Carnet which forms an integral part of its operations in addition to issuing Certificates of Origin and conducting Arbitration amongst many other services

    • Indo - Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry

      Feb 2017 - now
      Chief Executive Officer

      Indo-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ISCCI) is a bilateral Chamber of Commerce which fosters and establishes trade connections and economic activities between India and Sri Lanka.

    • Sri Lanka Automobile Service Providers' Association (SLASPA)

      Jul 2018 - Dec 2018
      Chief Executive Officer

      Sri Lanka Automobile Service Providers' Association (SLASPA) is the apex body in the automobile service industry in Sri Lanka with the specific objective of evolving into a nationwide voice for the vehicle collision and mechanical repair industry. This community of professionals reaches across the Island, focused on key legislative and business issues that not only protect the industry from abuse from outside the repair industry but also use its political capital to strengthen consumer protection. SLASPA represents a 15 different sub sectors within the automotive service industry in Sri Lanka Show less

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Certified Business Professional (CBP)

      International Business Training Association (IBTA)
      Jan 2016

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Samantha Abeywickrama
      Silver Award at the Annual Reports Competition 2008 Institute of Chartered Accountants, Sri Lanka Nov 2008 Presented to FCCISL for excellence in financial reporting by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka under NGO/ NPO category. I was the Secretary General/ Chief Executive Officer which held the responsibilities as the Chief Accounting Officer at the time.
    • Awarded to Samantha Abeywickrama
      The Asian Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Singapore Nov 2008 Received under poverty alleviation category at the 6th Asian CSR Forum the "Business for Peace" project designed by me and implemented under my chairmanship.
    • Awarded to Samantha Abeywickrama
      Social Marketing Award of the Asian Brand Excellence Award 2008 Asia Brand Congress Sep 2008 Received for the "Business for Peace Initiative" of FCCISL a project designed by myself and implemented under my chairmanship.
    • Awarded to Samantha Abeywickrama
      Chamber Pioneer Award Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) Jun 2008 Received in recognition of pioneering contribution made in establishment and development of the regional chamber movement in Sri Lanka.
    • Awarded to Samantha Abeywickrama
      Decade Plus Award Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) Jun 2008 Received in recognition of invaluable service rendered for over 10 years towards development and growth of the FCCISL and Chamber movement in Sri Lanka
    • Awarded to Samantha Abeywickrama
      Special Award Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) Jul 2007 Received in appreciation of visionary leadership provided in conceptualizing and implementation of FCCISL – "Back to Business" project towards winning the prestigious World Award for the "Best Unconventional Project for SMEs" at the World Chambers Federation Competition 2007
    • Awarded to Samantha Abeywickrama
      The World Chambers Award 2007 World Chambers Federation Jul 2007 Presented to FCCISL’s Back to Business project which was adjudged "the Best Unconventional Project for SMEs" at the 5th World Chambers Congress by the World Chambers Federation. The project was designed by me and Implemented under my chairmanship
    • Awarded to Samantha Abeywickrama
      Special Award of Recognition & Appreciation Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing Oct 2006 Presented to the FCCISL Back to Business project by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2006 for its unprecedented efforts in taking the concept of branding to theregional MSME sector.
    • Awarded to Samantha Abeywickrama
      The Outstanding Young Person of the Year 2003 (TOYP) Junior Chamber International (JCI) Sri Lanka Oct 2003 Received in the Economic Accomplishment Category for the contribution made towards development of Chambers of Commerce & Industry network in Sri Lanka

  • Volunteer Experience

    • Honorary Representative for Sri Lanka

      Issued by Australia Sri Lanka Council Inc. on May 2015
      Australia Sri Lanka Council Inc.Associated with Samantha Abeywickrama

    • Committee Member

      Issued by Shanthi Foundation on Jul 2015
      Shanthi FoundationAssociated with Samantha Abeywickrama