Jeff Mahinda Goonawardena does Lanka proud

Sri Lankan born Jeff Mahinda Goonawardena has been appointed to the prestigious post of Honorary Mayor to the City of Beton Roosh, Louisiana, United States of America.

A Sri Lankan being honoured with this appointment is a great pride of Sri Lanka.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa awarding him the appointment as his co-ordinator in the USA and as Sri Lanka Consul General for Colombia and Venezuela also spoke volumes for Goonawardena’s talents.

Jeff Mahinda Goonawardena third in the family was born in Colombo he was son of Lional Goonawardena and Ioan Goonawardena.

He left for America to further his business interests and knowledge. For twenty years, he lived in America. During this period he promoted good will and business growth between the two countries.

Politicians, artistes, business entrepreneurs and as many as leaders of over 28 countries have become his associates and friends during his international advancement.

The responsibility of strengthening the ties between Sri Lanka and USA by holding discussions with US Senate and members of the Congress was entrusted to him by the President of Sri Lanka.

He was able to facilitate this because of his close friendship with the Sri Lanka Ambassador in USA, Jaliya Wickremesooriya. A pioneer in the sphere of the hotel industry, he holds the post of Chairman of Dambulla Thilanka Resort Spa Hotel and a Director of the Kandy Thilanka Resort Hotel.

During the recent past, he devoted his time towards promoting foreign investment in Sri Lanka hotel industry and brought foreign investment of nearly Rs. 352 million for Sri Lanka just within two years. He is also the Director of Thilanka Corporation and Kandy Spring field Int.

School on his initiative, USA Siyara Accounts were introduced to Sri Lanka .

Already, 14 accounts have been opened at Hatton National Bank and DFCC, Kirilapone. His goal is to increase this number to a 1,000 Siyara Accounts by 2009, July.