Sri Lanka has intensified efforts to attract British investment and expand export opportunities through a series of business engagements in London and Dover ahead of Sri Lanka EXPO 2027, scheduled to be held in Colombo from January 14 to 17.
Organised by the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, the programme brought together British investors, business leaders and representatives of key trade organisations to explore opportunities for stronger commercial ties between the two countries.
The main event, the UK–Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Forum, was held at the High Commission and attracted more than 130 participants. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation led by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe attended the forum.
Addressing the gathering, Samarasinghe invited British businesses to explore Sri Lanka’s export potential and investment opportunities, highlighting the benefits available under the United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK Nimal Senadheera emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations, while promoting EXPO 2027 as a platform for establishing new business partnerships.
Export Development Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe presented an overview of Sri Lanka EXPO 2027, outlining opportunities for international buyers and investors.
Participants discussed potential avenues for sourcing Sri Lankan products, expanding commercial links with UK buyers and attracting foreign investment. Representatives from Marks & Spencer, the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development and the private sector also took part in the discussions.
Investment prospects in Port City Colombo, real estate and other sectors were among the opportunities highlighted during the programme.
The Sri Lankan delegation also met representatives of the UK–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce to discuss ways to strengthen business cooperation and encourage greater British participation in EXPO 2027.
In addition, the delegation held discussions with Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council Chief Executive Samantha Cohen on connecting Sri Lankan businesses with international investors through Commonwealth business networks.
The programme concluded with a business networking event in Dover, jointly organised with RS Rock Holdings, which attracted more than 30 UK business representatives, including potential investors.
According to the Sri Lankan High Commission, the engagements were aimed at building stronger commercial partnerships and encouraging British buyers, investors and business representatives to visit Colombo for EXPO 2027.
The High Commission expressed confidence that the exhibition would create further opportunities to expand trade, attract investment and strengthen economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.
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