September 21, Colombo (LNW): Foreign investment in Sri Lanka has seen a marked upswing since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office, with total inflows surpassing one billion US dollars over the past year—a sign of renewed international confidence in the country’s economic trajectory.
Arjuna Herath, Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI), confirmed that the nation has secured approximately US$ 1.048 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) during this period.
According to Herath, the most substantial contributions have been channelled into strategic sectors including port infrastructure, tyre manufacturing, and tourism development—industries identified as key to long-term economic recovery and export diversification.
A particularly noteworthy trend has been the quality of investors entering the Sri Lankan market. Over 65 per cent of the total investment originated from globally recognised firms, reflecting a strong endorsement from established international players.
Herath highlighted that since the change in leadership, 152 foreign entities have committed capital to projects across various regions of the island, ranging from industrial zones to hospitality ventures.
In a forward-looking statement, Herath revealed that US$ 780 million in FDI has already been recorded in the first eight months of 2025 alone. With several major investment proposals currently under negotiation or in the pipeline, he expressed confidence that the country is well on track to exceed its annual target of one billion dollars before year’s end.
