Colombo, Sri Lanka – The 7th International Conference on Sustainable Globalization (ICSG) recently concluded at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, marking a pivotal moment for Sri Lanka’s emergence as a leader in sustainable development.

Jointly organized by Sri Lanka’s American International Campus (AIC), the University of Wisconsin Parkside (USA), Ostfalia University (Germany), St. Petersburg State Economic University (Russia), and Mahatma Gandhi University (India), with the support of Quest International University Malaysia, El-Toro Roofing, and Tjay Lanka PLC, the conference focused on “Sustainable Transportation, Technology & Tourism: Shaping Tomorrow’s Solutions.” It emphasised an integrated approach to economic revival driven by sustainability.

Sri Lanka’s commitment to global partnerships was a key theme of the conference, with highlights including knowledge exchange initiatives with top academic institutions, technology transfer programs in renewable energy, collaborative research in sustainable infrastructure, and capacity-building partnerships with international entities. The conference also underscored the country’s integration of global best practices in sustainable development.

M.K.M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest, unveiled the government’s ambitious transportation transformation plan. This initiative aims for 25% electric vehicles to be integrated into public transportation by the end of 2025.

Siriwardena outlined key projects, such as the Colombo Light Rail Transit system, modernized bus rapid transit, smart traffic management for a 20% reduction in congestion, solar-powered electric three-wheelers for rural areas, green ports, and systems to optimize traffic and reduce energy consumption.

“The convergence of sustainable transportation, technology, tourism, and finance represents our path to resilient economic growth,” he said. “We are not just building infrastructure; we are creating a sustainable development legacy for future generations.”

The Sri Lankan financial sector is also playing a leading role in sustainable development. The banking sector has committed to allocating 15% of its lending portfolios to sustainable projects by 2025, with successful initiatives like green bonds and sustainability-linked loans. The launch of the “Green Growth Accelerator Program” and the integration of sustainability criteria into national budgeting were also key points.

Following the conference, the ICSG 2025 sustainability awards ceremony recognised excellence across various sectors. The overall gold award was presented to El-Toro Roofing Products Ltd, followed by Ceylon Wild Safaris (silver) and Teejay Lanka (bronze). Sector-specific awards were given to Neptune Recyclers for Environment, Denovo E Solutions for Economics, Imperial College of Business Studies for Society and Ceylon Gem Traders (Pvt) Ltd for Governance.

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