The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Sri Lanka has established the South Asia Arbitration and Mediation Hearing Center in Colombo, marking a historic milestone for the region. The official opening took place on the morning of September 10, 2025, at the ICC Sri Lanka headquarters in Colombo 03, under the patronage of Tojus Chauawan, Regional Director of ICC Asia.
ICC, a 102-year-old global institution with over 45 million corporate members across 170 countries, launched the center through its Sri Lanka chapter. Speaking at the event, Shanil Fernando, Chairman of ICC Sri Lanka, highlighted that the new center will handle international commercial arbitration and mediation cases, helping resolve business disputes efficiently. He also emphasized plans to operate the center as an educational hub for those interested in learning about arbitration processes.
Fernando further noted that ICC Sri Lanka, established nearly 70 years ago, takes pride in hosting this international facility—an achievement that positions Sri Lanka as a significant player in global dispute resolution. The center aims to introduce a new “Control Arbitration” system, designed to conclude cases within shorter timeframes while minimizing costs and resource usage for both parties.
Addressing the gathering, ICC Asia Regional Director Tojus Chauawan stressed the importance of this development, adding that Sri Lanka now joins leading global arbitration hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, New York, Abu Dhabi, and Paris. He described the initiative as a highly productive and historic step, especially given Sri Lanka’s pool of top-level professional legal experts.
The ceremony was also attended by ICC Sri Lanka Vice Chairmen Hemakumara Gunasekara and Jonny Perera, Secretary Indika Rajapaksha, and Sri Lanka Board of Investment Director-General Renuka M. Weerakoon, among other distinguished guests.
