### Ceylon Chamber Archives Entrusted to National Archives 📈

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has formally handed over its historical records spanning 1839 to 1973 to the National Archives Department, preserving over a century of Sri Lanka’s commercial and trade evolution. • Historical Scope The collection includes correspondence, meeting minutes, and ledgers from the Chamber’s founding in 1839 (one of Asia’s earliest) through 1973. It chronicles the growth of the export economy, specifically in tea, rubber, coffee, and coconut oil. • Economic Milestones The archives document the Chamber’s pivotal role in: Establishing the island's renowned tea and rubber auctions. Advocating for the Colombo Port development over Galle, citing navigational and hinterland advantages. Influencing infrastructure, including the Colombo–Kandy railway and the first telegraphic link to India (1858). • Institutional Legacy The records highlight the formation of key bodies that shaped the modern business environment, such as the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, the Mercantile Service Provident Society, and early alternative dispute resolution (arbitration) frameworks. • Significance This move ensures public and researcher access to the "commercial heartbeat" of the nation, documenting the ingenuity and ethical standards that built Sri Lanka’s trade and industry foundations. _Source: CCC Official Release (Provisional)_