November 20, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Sweden, Kapila Fonseka, has completed a productive tour of Malmö, the bustling economic heart of the Skåne region, with the visit aimed squarely at deepening commercial ties and widening avenues for investment between the two countries.
Throughout his stay, the Ambassador held a series of discussions with municipal officials, leading business figures, and representatives from key industries, underscoring Sri Lanka’s ambition to tap into Malmö’s reputation for innovation, sustainability, and emerging technologies. The city’s energetic business landscape, he noted, offers fertile ground for new partnerships across multiple sectors.
A business forum arranged by the Sri Lanka–Sweden Business Council gathered a range of Swedish entrepreneurs and travel industry specialists. Ambassador Fonseka, alongside the Council’s Secretary General Leif Ohlson, highlighted Sri Lanka’s appeal as a year-round tourism destination and drew attention to investment prospects in ICT, advanced manufacturing, and tech-enabled services. Participants reportedly showed strong interest in potential joint ventures and collaborative initiatives.
Strengthening regional investment channels was a notable feature of the visit. Talks with Invest in Skåne’s CEO Micael Gyorel and Senior Investment Advisor Jeton Jasharaj explored plans to expand trade flows and encourage Swedish firms to explore opportunities on the island. A tour of Medeon Science Park, a key hub for life sciences innovation, opened further dialogue on research partnerships, with CEO Malin Bornschein offering insights into areas where Sweden and Sri Lanka could work more closely.
The Ambassador also exchanged views with Per Tryding, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Southern Sweden, focusing on ways to reinforce long-term economic cooperation. Leif Ohlson accompanied the envoy during these engagements, helping facilitate discussions with local business networks.
A visit to Dabico FMT—an established manufacturer of passenger boarding and docking systems—added a practical dimension to the tour. CEO Prarthana Kaluarachchi expressed enthusiasm about exploring operational expansion in Sri Lanka, particularly in support of aviation and maritime infrastructure.
Ambassador Fonseka reiterated that Sri Lanka’s improving economic climate, skilled labour base, and policy stability make the country an increasingly attractive partner for Swedish enterprises. He emphasised that both nations stand to benefit from collaborative ventures grounded in innovation and sustainability.
The visit concluded on a celebratory note as the Ambassador attended the World Maritime University’s graduation ceremony in Malmö, where he met WMU President Prof. Maximo Q. Mejia Jr. and congratulated two Sri Lankan graduates on their achievements.
