October 12, Colombo (LNW): A 23-member delegation from the United States, comprising prominent figures from major think tanks and private sector enterprises, met with Arjuna Herath, Chairman of Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment (BOI), during a courtesy visit aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
Led by Professor Walter Russell Mead of the Hudson Institute, the high-level group included senior representatives from leading U.S. policy institutions such as the American Enterprise Institute, along with executives from key sectors including technology, human capital development, and infrastructure.
The visit, seen as a significant gesture of goodwill and strategic interest, brought together top Sri Lankan officials and international stakeholders for a series of substantive discussions at the BOI headquarters.
Professor Mead noted that the delegation’s visit was part of a broader effort to better understand Sri Lanka’s evolving economic and geopolitical role. He described the team as a diverse mix of business leaders, investors, content creators, and policy experts who are actively exploring engagement opportunities in the region.
During the dialogue, BOI Chairman Herath provided a comprehensive overview of Sri Lanka’s reform agenda and investment potential. Emphasising the government’s market-oriented policies, Herath reaffirmed commitments to macroeconomic stability, transparent governance, and international cooperation.
“We are focused on creating an investor-friendly environment built on openness, rule of law, and long-term policy consistency,” he said. He also highlighted ongoing work with multilateral institutions, including the IMF, to strengthen fiscal management and accelerate structural reforms.
On foreign relations, Sri Lankan officials reiterated the nation’s steadfast adherence to a non-aligned foreign policy. “Sri Lanka maintains open and constructive relationships with all global partners, rooted in sovereignty and mutual respect,” officials stated. “Our ties with the United States are longstanding and continue to be shaped by shared democratic values and mutual aspirations for prosperity.”
The BOI used the occasion to showcase Sri Lanka’s strategic investment appeal. This included its position as a vital maritime and trade hub in the Indian Ocean, proximity to global shipping lanes, and access to large regional markets.
Other key assets highlighted were the country’s skilled, English-speaking workforce, rising technological capacity, and opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, digital services, tourism, logistics, and real estate development.
Special focus was given to upcoming initiatives aimed at modernising the investment landscape—such as the creation of specialised economic zones, digitisation of regulatory processes, and reforms designed to streamline investor facilitation. These measures, officials said, are intended to create a predictable, transparent framework for long-term international investment.
In response, members of the U.S. delegation expressed keen interest in contributing to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and future development. They stressed the importance of mutual knowledge-sharing, adoption of global best practices, and collaboration on technology transfer, workforce training, and infrastructure investment. The delegation noted that this kind of sustained engagement is essential to fostering growth that benefits both sides.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with Sri Lankan officials extending their appreciation to the American delegation for their engagement and constructive dialogue.
