Pepper News

The Chairmanship of IPC was handed over to Sri Lanka from Indonesia at the 44th session of IPC held in Jakarta, Indonesia and Mr. Wickramaarachchi, the Secretary to the Ministry of Primary Industries in Sri Lanka, is the current chairman of IPC, representing the cabinet Ministry responsible for the Pepper and other Spice crops Research and Development in Sri Lanka. Mr. Wickramaarachchi is a Corporate Member of the Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka, and graduated as a Charted Engineer. He holds a B.Sc. Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Mr. Wickramaarachchi holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental science and also in Geo-informatics and currently reading for a Ph.D in sustainable development.

Left to right: Mr. Iman Pambagyo, Director General of International Trade Negoations of Ministry of Trade of Indonesia, the pas immediate Chairman of IPC (2015/2016), Mr. Eng. Bandula Wickramarachchi, Secretary of Ministry of Primary Industries of Sri Lanka, the new Chairman of IPC (2016/2017) and Mr. WDL Gunaratne, Executive Director of IPC at the 44th Session of IPC held in Jakarta during 8th - 10th August 2016

Completing 17 years' career in Sri Lanka Engineering Service, he was attached to the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department in Sri Lanka at various capacities. Further he has gained progressive experience working in-line with government financial and administrative procedures. Engaging in Climate Change related activities, Mr. Wickramaarachchi is well-informed and appreciative of the risk induced by Climate Change.

Currently as the Secretary of the Ministry of Primary Industries Mr. Wickramaarachchi provides the leadership balanced with the private sector work ethos and public sector principles, towards achieving the onerous national target of increasing export earnings through elevated value chains of Primary Industrial sectors.

Addressing the issues related with the low productivity in the spice crop sector, development of a strategic plan to double the export revenue from spice industry in next five years is the target. This may be achieved through increasing the volume of product and value addition before exporting. For achieving the objectives, teams are being driven with fourfold business model of market intelligence, investment incubation, technology innovation and industry watch. Keeping the productivity and value addition at top, he has embarked to revisit and reforms the current practices.

The IPC Secretariat wishes to welcome and congratulate Mr. Wickramarachchi of Sri Lanka as the Chairman of IPC for 2016/2017.

The IPC also extend sincere gratitude and thanks to past immediate Chairman, Mr. Iman Pambagyo, the Director General of International Trade Negations of the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia for his able guidance and support extended to the IPC Secretariat and all the member countries.