Editor’s Editor: The following article is based on the speech delivered by the author as the Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025.
It is important that we pause to acknowledge the grave impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which has brought immense devastation across several parts of our country over the past days. We mourn the tragic loss of life, and we stand with the thousands of families who have been displaced from their homes and whose livelihoods have been disrupted. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those who are still recovering from the aftermath of this disaster.
In the wake of this national crisis, the Chamber, together with the generous support of our members, has been working closely with government agencies to coordinate urgent relief efforts. The unwavering resilience of Sri Lankans is evident in moments such as these. It is a pivotal time for the nation to come together, pooling our collective strength to restore lives, livelihoods, and stability.
The Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit was originally designed as a platform to advance economic growth and investment. In light of the recent disaster and the need to rebuild, the Board of the Chamber was of the view that it was necessary to proceed with the Summit, but with even greater meaning. The Summit now serves as an essential forum to reflect collectively on the road to recovery, discuss strategies to strengthen national resilience, and reaffirm our shared commitment to rebuilding a stronger and more stable Sri Lanka. Our priority is to support the country’s recovery and the restoration of communities and livelihoods. The private sector has a critical role to play in this effort, and we remain steadfast in mobilising our networks and resources to contribute meaningfully to long-term resilience and sustainable development.
We will donate all funds originally allocated for social activities at the Summit to support relief efforts. We believe that continuing with the Summit in this revised format is essential to fostering the collaboration, investment, and policy dialogue needed to drive an effective and inclusive recovery.
This Summit is one of the most anticipated events on Sri Lanka’s corporate calendar, and it is a privilege for the Chamber to host this landmark gathering for the 25th consecutive year, since its inception in 2000. This year, we are proud to expand its scope by explicitly integrating the investment dimension, recognising that attracting sustainable and high-quality investment is central to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation.
Accordingly, our theme this year — “Gateway to Growth: Asia’s Emerging Opportunity” — reflects both Sri Lanka’s potential and our collective aspiration to position the country more strongly within a rapidly evolving regional landscape.
We are deeply encouraged by the strong participation of over 800 delegates. We are particularly encouraged by the presence of over 100 foreign delegates and investors — thank you for travelling to Colombo to be with us. We know many of you are eager to gain deeper insights into Sri Lanka’s economic trajectory, reform progress, sectoral opportunities, and partnership potential. We hope that the conversations over the next two days will be productive, insightful, and inspiring.
Sri Lanka today stands on a clear and credible path of economic revival. After a period of immense challenge, we now see:
- steady, broad-based growth;
- a resurgence in exports, tourism, remittances, and investment;
- fiscal consolidation and reforms that have restored stability;
- completion of domestic debt restructuring;
- inflation brought firmly under control; and
- renewed confidence returning to markets and consumers alike.
International partners have also recognised this progress.
• Former IMF First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath recently described Sri Lanka’s recovery as a “stand-out experience” and “remarkable progress within a short period.”
• The World Bank, in its latest Public Finance Review, emphasised that the scale and speed of Sri Lanka’s fiscal adjustment stand out “by historical and international standards.”
These reforms are translating into real activity on the ground, with growth now approaching 5% of GDP, underpinned by stronger investor sentiment.
For investors, the message is clear: Sri Lanka is once again open, stable, and ready for business. Our strategic location at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean — a short distance from India — positions us uniquely as a gateway to South Asia and the broader region.
Over the next two days, this Summit will:
• examine the macroeconomic outlook for Sri Lanka in the coming years;
• draw lessons from international experiences of countries that have successfully emerged from debt crises and implemented credible growth paths;
• spotlight high-growth and high-potential sectors such as tourism, logistics, ports, exports, capital markets, manufacturing, and technology;
• and bring together perspectives from global speakers representing Malaysia, Greece, the Netherlands, Australia, India, and many others — alongside leading voices from our multilateral, regional, and local institutions.
We are grateful to all resource persons — especially our moderators — for taking time out of their busy schedules to share their expertise with us.
I also wish to extend my sincere appreciation to our Summit Chair and Committee for their strategic guidance, and to the dedicated Chamber Summit team, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, navigating numerous challenges to ensure the seamless execution of this event.
As we embark on this 25th edition of the Summit, I extend my best wishes for meaningful dialogue, insightful analysis, and productive networking. May the outcomes of our discussions help shape credible policies, drive interest from our foreign participants into realised investments, and unlock the transformational growth that Sri Lanka urgently needs.
I also hope the Summit inspires both public and private sector leaders to act as reform champions — catalysts for progress, innovation, and long-term prosperity.
