Harpo unanimously re-elected President of Colombo City Restaurant Collective (CCRC)

Above: Members of the CCRC executive committee.

The Colombo City Restaurant Collective (CCRC) held its 4th Annual General Meeting recently at The Bayleaf Restaurant, where it acknowledged and thanked the existing Executive Committee for their contributions and effort and welcomed in the new.

Harpo Gooneratne was once again voted in as CCRC President following calls for him to remain, as his contributions and leadership to the committee and industry has been significant and impactful, which was achieved with the support of the committee, the association said in a media release.

The new committee include Patron - Chef Gerard Mendis, President - Harpo Gooneratne, Vice President - Dharshan Munidasa, Gen. Secretary -Ms. Dinali Dandeniya and Treasurer - Saurabh Udeshi. Committee members are Dinesh Wijesinghe, Nadeem Rajabdeen, Chandana Talwatte, Viraj Panchal, Chirath Devasurendra and Ms. Judy Wickramatilleke.

Plans for the coming year include continuation of the CCRC food programme for the less privileged who have been greatly affected by the economic crisis, which is a CCRC initiative and made possible by the generous contribution and support by members.

Further a charity event with entertainment is on the cards also to raise funds  and a Food and Beverage Festival with participating restaurants and suppliers .The CCRC  is also committed to extend support to the stakeholders in the industry with the necessary authorities when the need arise, the statement said.

“All our members are dealing with many challenges and difficulties due to the on-going economic crisis in Sri Lanka, these really are troubled times and I hope that we can somehow stay afloat and encourage all Sri Lankans to rally round and help their local restaurants. In order for us to continue to be an effective association, we invite more restaurateurs to register with the SLTDA and become members of the CCRC to make it even a stronger association for us to achieve our objectives and also support their operations when possible,” said CCRC President Gooneratne.