Sri Lanka has wrapped up a wide-ranging trade and investment mission in Canada that spanned Toronto, Quebec, Montreal, Saskatchewan, and Vancouver, marking one of the country’s most extensive commercial outreach efforts in recent years. Organized by the Sri Lanka–Canada Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Canada–Sri Lanka Business Convention and both countries’ high commissions, the delegation represented agricultural technology, IT, finance, tourism, education, and investment consultancy sectors. Across multiple cities, the group held discussions with Canadian business leaders, government officials, universities, and diaspora representatives to unlock new commercial and institutional partnerships.
The mission opened in Toronto with strategic discussions involving the Consulate and CSLBC leadership. Talks explored banking and financial services expansion, insurance collaboration, agri-tech solutions, medical tourism prospects, and Canada’s growing interest in Indo-Pacific markets. Delegates also attended a Business Forum featuring sector-focused sessions on tourism, agriculture, IT, education, and women’s entrepreneurship. The group discussed the proposed Overseas Citizens of Sri Lanka special visa scheme and participated in a networking reception that included the soft launch of “Asia’s Emerging Economies Expo 2026.” The Legislative Assembly of Ontario formally recognized the delegation’s contribution to strengthening bilateral business ties.
In Montreal, meetings with the Honorary Consul and Sri Lankan business leaders focused on investor facilitation and the promotion of the upcoming “Gateway to Growth” trade fair. Meanwhile in Quebec, education-sector delegates engaged stakeholders at the Quebec Immigration and Integration Fair 2025, identifying new pathways for talent mobility, student recruitment, and international academic collaboration.
The Saskatchewan leg of the mission proved particularly productive, centering on food security, agriculture innovation, and natural resource development. At the Global Institute for Food Security, SLCBC appointed Dr. Ruben Rajkumar as Goodwill Ambassador for Saskatchewan, recognizing his efforts in connecting Canadian expertise with Sri Lanka’s needs. Visits to Bioriginal and the University of Saskatchewan highlighted opportunities in smart agriculture, post-harvest technologies, value-added processing, export capability strengthening, and joint research. Further discussions at the University of Regina explored scholarships, joint degree pathways, and expanded student mobility programs. The delegation also met with Toronto city officials to discuss collaboration in venture capital, trade exhibitions, and education partnerships.
By the close of the mission, clear frameworks had emerged for expanding economic cooperation, academic partnerships, and technology-driven joint ventures. Delegation leader and SLCBC President M.H.K.M. Hameez emphasized that the visit reinforced Canada’s rising interest in Sri Lanka’s economic strengths and positioned the island as a strategic base for Canadian companies in Asia. He noted that the Council will now move forward with stakeholders in both countries to turn identified opportunities into concrete initiatives aimed at long-term collaboration.
