Winners at the first Unity Awards

By L.B. Senaratne

A representative gathering of businesspersons from various parts of the country participated at the first ever ‘Unity Awards' for members of the business community. The function was held in Kandy sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Central Province.

The Awards were broken into three categories -- 13 Merit, 16 Runners up and 22 Golds. Dr. Markus Mayer, Country Director of International Alert who chaired the selection committee, said it was a difficult task, since they had to check a number of areas of each competitor.

Picture shows a gold award winner K.A.Dinapala of Kandy, and a merit award winner

Three Gold awards were presented by the Minister of Industries of the Central Province S. Arullsamy to P.B. Dissanayake of the Anuradhapura District Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, W.D. Bandulasena of Pubudu Group of Companies, Ampara and D.A. Jayantha Prialal of Jayantha Gold House, Hingurakgoda.

Another three Gold awards were presented by the Mayor of Kandy L.B. Aluvihare to W.A.G. Keerthirathe of D.G.Fashion Garments of Dickwella, D. Salwathura of D.S. Engineering Co of Panadura and K.A. Dinapala of Dinapala Group of Compnaies, Kandy,

Three Golds were presented by to M.K.R. Rodrigo of Peradeniya, Asoka Palpola of Asoka Record Bar and L.M. Premachandra of Seetha Holdings, Pilamathalawa. Six awards were presented by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh Shahdat Hossain.

Three Gold awards were presented to M. Gajendran of Jayadibam Development, Vavuniya, K.H.D.C. Priyantha Kumara of Dharshana Metal Crusher, Nuwara Eliya and H. Mervin of Udara Motor Stores, Galle. Awards were also presented to R.M. Piyaratne of Sriyani Trade Centre,Wellawaya, N.M.M. Rafeeque of Rafeeque's Electronics, Badulla, W.M.A. Bandara of Weerakoon Bandara Furniture, Mawathagama.

Chamber President Anurudha Waranakula said the contribution made by all chambers in the country gave them the impetus to hold this event which would be an annual one.