News
Global thought leaders to headline Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit
A powerhouse roster of international and regional experts will headline the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025, setting the stage for a world-class dialogue on reform, resilience, and investment-led growth.
Organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the two-day summit will take place on 02 and 03 December at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo.
Leading the international lineup of Keynote Speakers across the Summit’s sessions, is Kenneth Shen, Chairman of EDOTCO Group, Malaysia, and Astro Holdings.
With over three decades in investment, corporate finance, and capital markets, Shen brings a wealth of experience on regional capital flows and private sector transformation.
Gevorg Sargsyan, World Bank Country Manager for Sri Lanka, brings over two decades of experience in infrastructure, energy, and climate finance.
He has held senior roles across Europe, Central Asia, and East Asia, and served as the Global Lead for Clean Energy, contributing to policy development, financing strategies, and sustainable energy solutions.
Dr. Alex Patelis, former Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Greece, offers comparative insights from Greece’s post-crisis recovery and reform journey.
Having served as Global Head of FX & Debt Strategy and Managing Director of Global Research at Merrill Lynch, and Chief Economist at PSQR, he brings unmatched expertise in macroeconomic reform and financial strategy.
From the sustainability and logistics front, Tim Miltenburg, Global Head of Decarbonisation at APM Terminals, will spotlight the future of green logistics and sustainable trade. Leading APM’s ambitious mission to achieve net-zero emissions across all terminal sites by 2040, he heads the company’s Decarbonisation Centre of Excellence in The Hague.
Adding an investor’s perspective, Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund, Hong Kong, brings deep market experience from across Asia’s frontier economies.
His fund was recently recognised as the Best Emerging Market Equity Fund at the 2025 Asian Investor Asset Management Awards.
Natalie Kidd, Managing Director of Intrepid Travel – Asia, brings nearly 20 years of experience in building one of Asia’s largest responsible travel networks.
Overseeing Intrepid’s operations across 28 offices, Ms. Kidd has also served on the Board of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, contributing to the global sustainability conversation.
Prof. Sanjay Kathuria, Visiting Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress and former World Bank Economist, who brings over 35 years of experience in development economics and policy research, will provide a South Asian perspective on trade, competitiveness, and integration.
Imad N. Fakhoury, IFC Regional Director for South Asia, drives sustainable, private-sector-led growth in the region, focusing on financial inclusion, climate financing, and public-private partnerships.
He previously served as Global Director of Infrastructure Finance, PPPs & Guarantees at the World Bank and held senior ministerial roles in Jordan, including Minister of Planning and International Cooperation.
Bringing a local investment focus, Arjuna Herath, Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, will outline the country’s renewed drive to attract sustainable, export-oriented investments aligned with Sri Lanka’s long-term development goals.
SLEIS 2025 is supported by: Platinum sponsors – Nestle, Standard Chartered Bank, Unilever, Silver Sponsor – VISA, Bronze sponsor – South Asia Gateway Terminals, Session sponsors – Colombo Stock Exchange and Sunshine Holdings, Television Partner – Dialog Television, Telecommunications Partner – Dialog, Hospitality Partner – Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, Strategic Partners – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, Board of Investment, Export Development Board, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Strategic Development Partner – Asian Development Bank, Knowledge Partner – World Bank, Logistics Partner – Hayleys Advantis, and Official Airline – SriLankan Airlines.
Register for the Summit at https://sleis.chamber.lk/.
For more information, contact Alikie – 0115588805 / alikie@chamber.lk or Lilakshi – 0115588818 / lilakshi@chamber.lk.
Latest News
Ms. U. L. Mathisha Jinanjalie Jayathilake, appointedto the post of Commissioner, Department of Probation and Child Protection Services
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs to appoint Ms. U. L. Mathisha Jinanjalie Jayathilake, the officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Administrative Service to the post of the Commissioner at the Department of Probation and Child Protection Services with immediate effect.
The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Damian Fernando paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Parliament, Dr Jagath Wickramaratne at the Office of the Speaker, today (7 July
2026).
The meeting marked the Commander of the Navy’s first official interaction with the Speaker following his assumption of command of the Sri Lanka Navy. During the cordial discussion, they exchanged views on the Navy’s role in matters of national importance.
The formal meeting drew to a close with an exchange of mementoes, signifying the importance of the occasion.
At least 26 people, including five prison officers and 20 inmates, have been confirmed dead following violent unrest at Negombo Prison, hospital sources said yesterday, as authorities struggled to restore full control over the facility.
According to unconfirmed reports the prison officers were killed by rioters yesterday morning, in retaliation, and weapons carried by those officers were grabbed by them.
Negombo General Hospital Director Consultant Dr. Pushpa Gamlath said nearly 100 injured persons had been admitted, following the clashes, and eight of the critically wounded had been transferred to the National Hospital, in Colombo, for further treatment.
The violence, which initially broke out on Sunday (5) between remand prisoners and convicted inmates, left two inmates dead and 38 others injured before being temporarily brought under control.
However, tensions flared again on Monday (6), with prison officials reporting renewed unrest inside the facility despite earlier assurances that the situation had stabilised.
Police said the initial confrontation was triggered by a dispute linked to the exposure of an alleged drug trafficking network, operating within the prison, and was reportedly orchestrated by a drug trafficker, identified as Suresh, who is said to have links to an underworld figure known as ‘Booru Moona’.
The violence rapidly escalated, with female inmates staging a protest on the Prison roof in support of those involved in the clashes, while relatives gathered outside demanding information on detainees. Police later facilitated visits for selected family members to hospitalised inmates.
The Negombo Prison, which houses around 1,800 remand and convicted inmates, descended into widespread disorder as rival groups clashed, with reports indicating that the violence later spread beyond the initial confrontation.
Authorities said rioting inmates had allegedly seized firearms during the renewed unrest on Monday, prompting heightened security measures.
The Sri Lanka Air Force deployed drones for aerial surveillance and a Bell 412 helicopter to monitor the situation, while additional military personnel were sent to reinforce security around the prison.
Prisons Department spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake said a special investigation team had been appointed, under the direction of the Commissioner General of Prisons, to probe the incident, while a separate police investigation is also underway.
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara told The Island that he had called for a detailed report on the disturbances.
By Norman Palihawadane
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