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Sustainable Development Council convenes forum on promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Businesses for Sustainable Development in Sri Lanka

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With ambitious reforms taking centre-stage towards rebuilding Sri Lanka into a resilient and sustainable economy, the Government of Sri Lanka is exploring opportunities to harness the potential of the private sector in fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Sustainable Development Council (SDC), in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) is looking at advancing private sector action for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sri Lanka through the development of an actionable strategy for promoting inclusive and sustainable business practices. The strategy has been developed following a collaborative, cross-sectoral and cross-agency consultative process.

Inclusive and sustainable businesses (ISBs) are purpose-driven enterprises that deliberately seek positive change in communities and the environment. These impact businesses can play a crucial role to achieve national social development and environment sustainability goals, especially in light of fiscal limitations. ISBs use market-based approaches to achieve positive social and environmental impacts, while ensuring their own commercial sustainability.

A Forum was convened in Colombo on 27 September by SDC and ESCAP to discuss the proposed strategy to promote ISBs for sustainable development in Sri Lanka and was attended by representatives from government, private sector, development partner agencies, and civil society organizations.

The proposed strategy presented by the Director General of SDC, Chamindry Saparamadu contained a coherent set of actions to support ISBs in Sri Lanka through the development of relevant legal frameworks, capacity development for a strong and dynamic ISB ecosystem and for integration into local and global supply chains, platforming for local and global recognition, improving access to impact finance and incentives, promoting access to information, impact measurement and reporting and partnership development for transformative impact.

Speaking at the Forum, the Minister of Industries, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana emphasized the need to pay special attention to enabling decent and inclusive work conditions to marginalized communities in the plantation sector as well as those living in the northern and eastern parts of the country while the State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe highlighted the current challenges in accessing concessionary financing for small and medium enterprises which is a hindrance to their development. The State Minister further highlighted government plans with regard to capital market development in tandem with the ongoing debt restructuring process. The Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijeweardhane, emphasized the pivotal role the private sector can play in developing a green economy and supporting environmental sustainability while at the same time acknowledging the current contributions of the private sector in achieving sustainable and inclusive development. Addressing the Forum, Dr. Rupa Chanda the Director of the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division of ESCAP mentioned that “Innovative business models are emerging and demonstrating that it is possible to be commercially viable while achieving positive social and environmental impacts. In Sri Lanka we can already find fine examples of inclusive and sustainable businesses.  Today, the challenge is to continue to expand the number, reach and impact of inclusive and sustainable businesses in Sri Lanka. To support this, we need a coherent government strategy.”

Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Industries Thilaka Jayasundera, Director General BOI Renuka Weerakoon, UN Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka Marc-Andre Franche, Chief Representative of JAICA Sri Lanka Tetsuya YAMADA, Manager-FIG South Asia of International Finance Cooperation Joon Young Park, President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) Keerthi Gunawardena, Vice Chairperson of Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Gayani De Alwis, Chairman, SLASSCOM Jehan Perinpanayagam, Vice President (MSME) of DFCC Bank Chandana Wanigasena, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, Rathika de Silva, Director-Business Development, Selyn Handlooms Selyna Pieris and other officials from UN agencies also spoke during the Forum.



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SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure

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SLT-MOBITEL marks its triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026

Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development

In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.

Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.

Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.

“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.

Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.

However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.

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Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement

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The panel discussion at the engagement

Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.

The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.

In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.

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American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026

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The achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories.

American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.

Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.

For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.

Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.

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