March 28, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has made a strong appeal to global investors, presenting itself as a revitalised economy poised for long-term expansion.
The country, having overcome a series of economic and political crises, is now positioning itself as a compelling destination for capital market investments.
At the ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ forum held in Colombo, senior officials from regulatory bodies underscored the timeliness of entering the Sri Lankan market.
This marks the first major investment call within the country since 2014, with the inaugural initiative dating back to 1998.
The event attracted a full house, with over 100 international delegates and around 400 local participants gaining direct insights into Sri Lanka’s economic progress since the 2022 crisis, its current financial landscape, and the vision for future growth.
Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Chairman Dilshan Wirasekara set the stage by highlighting the resilience of the Sri Lankan economy. Reflecting on the country’s turbulent recent history—including political instability, the Easter bombings, the pandemic, and a severe economic downturn—he stated that Sri Lanka has emerged stronger, entering an unprecedented phase of recovery.
“This is a pivotal moment, unlike any before. We have made a complete turnaround, and this is why we believe now is the right time to showcase our market’s potential,” Wirasekara noted.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Professor Hareendra Dissabandara reinforced the importance of a sustainable economic expansion strategy, emphasising that past recoveries had often been short-lived due to a lack of solid macroeconomic foundations and policy consistency.
“This time is different. We now have a structured regulatory framework and a robust macroeconomic policy approach to ensure long-term stability,” he explained, urging investors to seize the opportunity.
Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe echoed this sentiment, stressing the return of price stability and economic predictability, both of which were absent three years ago.
Acknowledging the difficulties faced during the restructuring process, he reassured investors that Sri Lanka has emerged stronger, with valuable lessons learned along the way.
The forum also highlighted regional collaboration, bringing together representatives from Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Nepal to discuss strategies for capital market growth.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among the five nations, committing to deeper cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
Whilst acknowledging India’s more advanced market position, Sri Lanka’s capital market leaders emphasised the unique opportunity for smaller frontier economies to leverage collective strengths and expand their investment potential.
The event featured notable speakers including Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, AB Founding Partner and Chief Investment Officer Mattias Martinsson, Redwheel Emerging and Frontier Markets Team Co-Head James Johnstone, Deloitte Sri Lanka and Maldives Head of Strategy Ruvini Fernando, HNB Investment Bank MD Ray Abeywardena, and Asia Securities Holdings Chairman Dumith Fernando.
Panel discussions were moderated by Bloomberg News Managing Editor for South Asia Jeanette Rodrigues and Lynear Wealth Management Co-Founder Dr. Naveen Gunawardane.
