ABOUT
US                       

Article 1 - Establishment and Name

1a. This organization shall be known as the Sri Lanka Business Council, Dubai and the Northern Emirates and is hereinafter referred to as “The Council”. 

1b. Its official address shall be the Consulate General of Sri Lanka, P O Box 51528, Dubai, U.A.E.

1c. The Council shall be a not-for-profit voluntary organization registered under the aegis of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Dubai Chamber) and shall be managed by a Board of Directors appointed by the General Body.

Article 2 - Objectives & Purpose

a. To promote friendship, goodwill and understanding between the business organizations of Sri Lanka and the UAE.

b. To maintain, support, promote and encourage trade, investment, technical and economic co-operation, employment and tourism between Sri Lanka and the UAE.

c. To encourage and sponsor education, personnel exchange and training schemes at the Private sector level between Sri Lanka and the UAE, with the aim of mutually enhancing experience, education and capabilities.

d. To provide the opportunity for Sri Lankan business people representing Sri Lankan companies with a presence in the U.A.E. or working with local companies in the U.A.E. to meet on a regular basis and to act as a forum for the exchange of information related to current and expected business opportunities.

e. To provide a link with organizations in Sri Lanka dedicated to the development of Middle East/Sri Lankan trade and corporate investment.

f. To assist Sri Lankan companies and business people establishing or contemplating the establishment of a trading base in the U.A.E.

g. To assist the Sri Lankan Business Community in Dubai to develop their Business activity within the community and among other communities by providing suitable opportunities / organizing events to foster their business activity.

h. To carry out research studies on any matters affecting or concerning any of the above objectives.

i. To assist and liaise with the Sri Lankan Embassy and Consulate in their endeavours to further develop/enhance trade opportunities between Sri Lanka and the UAE and to work with the Sri Lankan Embassy and Consulate on matters of mutual interest.

j. The Council may do all lawful things, which may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the foregoing objectives. The Council shall not attempt to restrict or in any manner interfere with any lawful activity undertaken by any member in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The Council shall not engage in any political activity in the United Arab Emirates nor allow its funds or facilities to be used for political purposes in the UAE.

Article 3 - Membership

Membership to the Council is open to any Sri Lankan individual or company nominated by a Council member.  The Council membership will only consider those nominees that it feels are capable and dedicated to serve in the Council.  

The final decision for approving a membership shall remain with the Board of Directors.

The Four categories of membership are as follows;

1. Full Membership – Individual & Corporates

a. There are three kinds of full membership: individual, corporate and special. All three types of membership shall have the same rights.

b. Individual full membership shall be open to Sri Lankan citizens who are Business Owners/ Investors and Senior Management Members of Sri Lankan and Non-Sri Lankan companies established in the UAE.

c. Individual membership is personal. No member shall be entitled either to transfer such membership.  Except as provided for in this Constitution, full members are not permitted to nominate alternates to attend meetings in their place.

d. Corporate full membership shall be open to Sri Lankan and Non Sri Lankan owned companies established in the U.A.E., having interest in Sri Lankan Business and Sri Lankan Populace in the UAE.

e. Each corporate member shall designate a member of the Senior Management to represent the company at the Council meetings.

f. Each corporate member may also nominate an alternate member who may attend meetings in the absence of the designated representative. An alternate member shall be a member of the Senior Management of the corporate member. The name and other relevant details of the designated representative and their alternate member shall be supplied to the Board of Directors. Any changes of representatives or alternate members shall also be supplied to the Board of Directors

g. A corporate member may not transfer its membership to another corporation but it may change its designated representative and alternate in accordance with the provision of this constitution.

h. Special full membership shall be limited to officers of the Sri Lankan Consulate General.

i. There shall be no restrictions on the number of members in the council.

j. With the exception of the founding members, every new nomination for membership to the Council as a full member be proposed and seconded by a Council member.

k. The Board of Directors will review every application for full membership and shall have absolute discretion in determining eligibility for membership.

l. Council members shall notify the Board of Directors of any impending change in its status, which might affect its continuing eligibility for membership, and the Board of Directors will, at its discretion, be entitled to review the status of the Council membership from time to time. 

2. Associate Membership

a. The Board of Directors may consider applications for Associate Membership from individuals or companies who are neither Sri Lankan citizen nor Sri Lankan companies but who are agents trading in the U.A.E. on behalf of Sri Lankan companies. In all such cases, however, the application must be accompanied by a written request from the said Sri Lankan Company requesting the Board of Directors to consider its agents for associate membership. In addition the applicant shall provide an outline of its overall business operation paying particular regard to the proportion of its activity that is related to the promotion/sale of goods or services originating in Sri Lanka.

b. The Board of Directors at its sole discretion and upon unanimous vote may accept applications for nomination as associate members from individuals who have certain close connection with Sri Lanka, and who have demonstrated an affinity towards Sri Lanka for a period of time.

c. The number of Associate Members shall be restricted to not more than 25% of the number of full members.

d. Every new nomination for membership to the Council as an associate member shall be proposed and seconded by a Council member.

e. The Board of Directors will review every application for associate membership and shall have absolute discretion in determining eligibility for associate membership.

f. Associate members shall be liable for the same fees as full members. They shall be eligible to attend and speak, but not to vote at General Meetings of the Council.

g. Associate membership is personal. No Associate member shall be entitled either to transfer such membership or to nominate alternates to attend meetings in their place.

3. Associate Membership (Professional Groups of Sri Lankans)

a. The Board of Directors may consider applications for Associate Membership from Professional Groups of Sri Lankans  in the U.A.E. In all such cases, however, the application must be accompanied by a written request from the said Group requesting the Board of Directors to consider its senior members for associate membership. In addition the applicant shall provide an outline of its overall activity paying particular regard to the proportion of its activity that is related to Sri Lanka.

b. The Board of Directors at its sole discretion and upon majority vote may accept applications for nomination of such associate members from Professional Groups who have connection with Sri Lanka, and who have demonstrated an affinity towards Sri Lanka for a period of time.

c. The number of such Associate Members shall be restricted to not more than 25% of the number of full members.

d. Every new nomination for membership to the Council as an associate member shall be proposed and seconded by a Council member.

e. The Board of Directors will review every application for associate membership and shall have absolute discretion in determining eligibility for associate membership.

f. Associate members shall be liable for the fees which is three times that of  full members. They shall be eligible to attend and speak, but not to vote at General Meetings of the Council.

g. Associate membership is for the Group and will consist of three senior members of such group. No Associate member shall be entitled either to transfer such membership or to nominate alternates to attend meetings in their place.

4. Honorary Membership

a. The Sri Lankan Ambassador and the Consul General and their nominees shall be honorary members.

b. Non-Sri Lankan citizens resident in the UAE and UAE Nationals holding senior positions in the public or private sector may be invited by the Chairman after obtaining the unanimous approval of the Board of Directors to become Honorary Members of the Council.

c. Honorary Members shall not have the right to vote at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Council.

d. The number of Honorary Members shall be restricted to not more than 25% of the number of full members.

e. The number of Honorary Members shall not exceed the number of Associate members.

f. Honorary Members shall not be liable to pay membership fees and the Board of Directors shall determine the regulations governing Honorary Members.

g. Honorary membership is personal. No Honorary member shall be entitled either to transfer such membership or to nominate alternates to attend meetings in their place.

Article 4 - Resignation

a. Any member intending to resign from the Council shall signify his intention to do so in writing to the Director, Memberships, or shall otherwise be liable for the succeeding year’s membership fee.

b. Resignation shall not relieve the resigning member from their obligation to pay any outstanding membership fees or other monies due or payable to the Council at the time of such resignation. No refund will be made from any membership fee that may have been due and already paid by the resigning member.

c. A resigning Board Member undertakes to complete his/her  responsibilities he/she carried in his/her position,  prior to the resignation taking effect.

Article 5 - Disqualification

The Council in general meeting may on the recommendation of the Board of Directors suspend or terminate any membership for non-payment of subscription or for any other action deemed by the Board of Directors to be contrary to the best interests of the Council.

Article 6 - Executive Committee

a. The affairs of the Council shall be administered by a Board of Directors with a maximum of nine elected members. The Board of Directors shall be elected only from among the individual Full members out of which a minimum of seven members should be Sri Lankan Business Owners. in the UAE. The elected board in turn shall elect the Chairman, Vice Chairman and allocate the responsibilities to the respective Directors. In addition, the immediate Past-Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Senior Resident Officer of National Carrier, the Senior Resident Officer of the Tea Board and the Consul General of Sri Lankan in Dubai shall be invited to join the Board of Directors as ex-officio members.

b. The present composition of the Board of Directors shall be as follows;


The Chairman shall be the Chief Executive of the council and shall be responsible for the proper functioning of the business council while ensuring the overall strategic goals are met. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the Council and of the Board of Directors.

The Vice Chairman shall be the Deputy Chief Executive of the council and shall help the Chairman for the proper functioning of the business council while ensuring the overall strategic goals are met. He/she shall preside over the meetings of the Council and of the Board of Directors in the absence of the Chairman.


The Director – Events shall be responsible for all correspondence, convening of meetings and all the related administrative functions subject to the control of the Board of Directors


The Director – Membership shall be responsible for maintenance of membership register, membership drive and all the related administrative functions subject to the control of the Board of Directors.


The Director – External Relations shall be responsible for laisoning with the populace in general, the Dubai Chamber and building the image of the Council subject to the control of the Board of Directors.


The Director – Finance shall be responsible for all financial matters of the Council. He/she shall maintain proper records of financial transactions collect membership fees and organise the fund raising projects of the Council subject to the control of the Board of Directors.


The Director – Public Relations shall be responsible for all Press releases, public relations exercises of the Council. He/she shall maintain proper records of such exercise  and have pre-approval of such actions from the Board of Directors.


The Director – Business Development shall be responsible for identifying the Business opportunities, events and invite prospective businessmen and investors to these events. He/she shall explore business opportunities and provide information to members to take advantage of the same subject to the control of the Board of Directors.


The Director – Secretary to the Board shall be responsible for all meetings, documentation of such meetings of the Board and all official communications to the Authorities. He/she shall maintain proper records of all meeting proceedings and circulate the same among the Directors on a timely manner subject to the approval of the Board of Directors in consequent meetings.

c. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for planning future policy, meetings, speakers and events. Each Director is to present a strategic plan at the beginning of each year and follow up with the execution of the same.

d. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for establishing the “action plan” and the “calendar of events” for the financial/working year and implementing them. The activities will have a direct impact on achieving the overall purpose of the Council.

e. All resolutions taken in the Board of Directors or in an Annual General meeting shall be passed by a simple majority of those present and eligible to vote in the absence of an express provision to the contrary in this constitution.

f. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for scrutinising applications for granting of membership and will not be obliged to give any reason for its decision.

g. The Board of Directors are authorized to open and operate bank accounts in the name of the Council and to appoint any two persons from the Board of Directors to be authorised as joint signatories to such bank accounts. 

h. The Board of Directors may appoint sub-committees and invite any members of the Council to assist the Board of Directors or serve on any such sub-committee.  Any duly appointed sub-committee will report to the Board of Directors.

i. The Board of Directors may engage staff and obtain office and other related facilities, as it considers necessary for its business.  These costs shall be paid out of the funds of the Council.

Article 7 - Election of Executive Committee

a. The Board of Directors shall be elected biennially (once in two years) from amongst the paid Full members of the Council following the receipt of valid nominations to the Board of Directors. Elections shall take place by secret ballot at the Annual General Meeting of the Council.

b. A 3-member committee selected by members of the Council will administer elections.

c. Nominations shall not be valid unless a member shall have been a paid Full member of the council for a minimum of 3 yearsa nd his nomination has been duly proposed and seconded by another Full member of the Council.

d. In the event of equality of votes, the person presiding at such meeting shall have a casting vote.

e. The Board of Directors shall serve for a term of two years and members of the Board of Directors may be elected for subsequent terms. A member of the Board of Directors is not eligible to serve for any more than three consecutive terms without standing down for one full term, before being eligible for re-nomination for election to the Board of Directors.

f. If for any reason a member of the Board of Directors is unable to serve a full year, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors from its other members or co-opting on to the Board of Directors another member of the Council, if more than two vacancies should occur, then an extra ordinary general meeting shall be called for and members given the opportunity to elect replacements to fill the vacancies.

Article 8 - Fees

a. Every member shall pay an annual membership fee as fixed by the Board of Directors. Annual membership fees shall be for a period January to December. New members joining January to June shall pay 100% of the fee, while new members joining July to December shall pay 50% of the annual fees.

b. The fees shall be applied towards administrative and other costs, as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine. The Board of Directors shall have the right to levy additional fees if membership fees are inadequate to cover administrative costs of the Council.

c. No refund shall be made if a member resigns.

d. Members will be expected to pay a commercial rate for food or refreshment for themselves and for their guests at all luncheons or meetings. These costs shall not be subsidized by the Council.

e. The annual membership fee for the forth coming year shall be payable on or before December 20th each year.

f. Membership will be deemed to have lapsed if the annual fee is not paid within the time prescribed by this Constitution or prior to the Annual General Meeting, whichever is earlier.

g. Should membership lapse due to non-payment of annual fee, the member affected may re-apply to the Board of Directors for readmission. Upon approval of any such application by the Executive Committee, the outstanding fees for the current year, plus a AED 100/- administration fee shall become due and payable forthwith. However the Board of Directors will have the option to implement the charging of penalty on case-by-case basis.

Article 9 - Meetings

a. Board of Directors meetings shall be held not less than once in two months.  General Meetings will be held not less than once in four months. The date and time of all meetings and the program for the meeting will be notified to members in advance.

b. The Chairman shall be the Chief Executive of the Board of Directors and shall chair the meetings.

c. At all meetings of the Executive Committee, the quorum shall consist of more than half of the Board of Directors.

d. The Board of Directors may arrange meetings open to non-members.

e. The Board of Directors may arrange extraordinary meetings.

f. The Board of Directors may take appropriate action against members who fail to attend three (3) consecutive meetings.

Article 10 - General Meetings

a. The Board of Directors shall also call an Annual General Meeting once each year. The Board of Directors shall also provide the membership not less than twenty one (21) days notice in writing that an Annual General Meeting has been called for. Business at the Annual General Meeting shall include (but not limited to) a Report of the Board of Directors on the Activities, Appointment of a Honorary Auditor, Auditor’s Annual Report, Election of the Nine Members of the Board of Directors and determine membership fees for the following year.

b. The Board of Directors may also call an Extraordinary General Meeting if it becomes aware of matters of sufficient importance to the Council, which should, in the Executive Committee’s opinion, be put to the members for a vote and where such time frame does not coincide with the Annual General Meeting.

c. The Board of Directors will also call an Extraordinary General Meeting if it receives written notification signed by no less than seven (7) paid up full members of the Council that they wish an Extraordinary General Meeting to be called. Such notification must include an outline of the matter, which the group wishes to be put before the members for a discussion and a vote if deemed necessary.

d. The Board of Directors shall provide the membership not less than twenty one (14) days notice in writing that a General Meeting has been called. General Meetings may be called to coincide with a Dinner meeting or any other event.

e. Only paid up full members of the Council who have paid their membership by the date of the Annual General Meeting shall be entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting.

f. The quorum at a General Meeting shall be at least one third of the total paid up members.

Article 11 - Information

The Board of Directors shall maintain an up-to-date list of all members.

Article 12 - Finance & Audit

a. The funds of the Council shall be deposited in a bank account in accordance with the directions of the Board of Directors. The funds of the Council shall be used only to meet the expenses and to carry out the Objectives of the Council. Any three members of the Board of Directors will be authorized jointly to operate on the Council’s bank accounts with at least two signatures to used for a withdrawal from the bank account.

b. All financial transactions shall be formally authorized by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall approve such expenses and/or payments subject to financial regulations and procedures approved by the same body from time to time.

c. The authorized office holders may incur expenses and/or effect payment prior to formal approval by the Board of Directors, provided at least two authorized Board of Directors approve such expenses and/or payments in writing. The two authorized Board of Directors shall consist of, the Director – Finance and any other member of the Board of Directors. However, all such expenses and/or payments must be forwarded to the Board of Directors for covering approval.

d. The Council’s financial year shall commence on 1st January and end on the 31st day of December in each year.   The Council shall keep proper books of account as necessary to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Council. The accounts shall consist of a balance sheet and statement of income and expenditure. Accounts are to be prepared, audited and submitted to the Dubai Chamber each year for registration renewal purposes.

e. An Honorary Auditor who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting shall audit the accounts of the Council. No office bearer of the Council shall be eligible to be an auditor. If no Honorary Auditor is appointed at the Annual General Meeting then the Board of Directors shall hire the services of an auditor. If a vacancy shall occur, the Board of Directors shall endeavour to appoint another Honorary Auditor or hire the services of another auditor as the case may be.

f. The Auditor shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of the Council and shall be entitled to require from the office and office bearers of the Council such information and explanations as he thinks necessary for the performance of the duties of the auditor.

f. The Auditor shall make a report to the members of the Council on the accounts examined by him at the Annual General Meeting.

Article 13 - Chief Patrol

There shall be a position of Chief Patron, which is to be held by the Sri Lankan Consular General of the Sri Lankan Consulate General in Dubai & Northern Emirates in the UAE.

Article 14 - Amendments / Changes to the Constitution

Proposed changes to the Constitution shall be submitted to the Board of Directors with a request for consideration prior to the Annual or an Extraordinary General Meeting. The Board of Directors shall circulate the proposed changes with the notice convening the meeting. All changes shall require a proposer and seconded and shall be adopted if approved by a two-thirds majority of the members present at the meeting.

Article 15 - Miscellaneous

a. Every member shall notify the Board of Directors in writing of any impending change in their status that might affect eligibility for membership.

b. The Board of Directors shall from time to time and in its absolute discretion review the status of members and notify the members accordingly of any change in category of membership.

c. In the event that it is resolved that the Council be dissolved, the resolution effecting such dissolution shall prohibit the payment of distribution of any surplus assets among the members of the Council and shallrequire any such surplus assets to be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions having objects similar to the Council’s objectives as described in this Constitution.