The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) successfully organized an event focused on facilitating investments in the tourism industry. The event which was attended by the Minister of Tourism Vijitha Herath as well as the Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, also brought together Heads of key government ministries and agencies to discuss the importance of collaboration in streamlining the approval process for investors.

The primary objective of the event was to highlight the government’s role in directing and facilitating private sector investments in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. Government officials from various authorities actively participated, addressing key areas essential for economic and employment growth. The discussions emphasized the crucial need to focus on enhancing the ease of doing business in Sri Lanka to increase the country’s attractiveness to global tourism investors, thereby improving investor experiences and boosting tourism sector growth through foreign direct investments (FDIs).

Minister of Tourism Minister in his speech stated “Collaboration is key to unlocking Sri Lanka’s tourism potential. By streamlining investment processes, we can drive growth, create jobs, and strengthen our position as a world-class destination”, while the Deputy Minister of Tourism said “A thriving tourism sector requires strong partnerships. Together, we can create an investor-friendly environment that benefits our economy and showcases Sri Lanka’s unique charm to the world”. The SLTDA Chairman explained the objectives of the event, while during the open forum discussion, speakers from other key agencies underscored the importance of reducing costs and delays in the approval processes, which would ultimately encourage investors to focus on project development and job creation.

By fostering greater cooperation among government agencies, the event was aimed to position Sri Lanka as an investor friendly, more attractive and an efficient destination for tourism investors. To support this cause, the SLTDA had already developed a Land Bank Management Information System (LBMIS) as a pioneering initiative for identifying, cataloging, and managing land resources to promote tourism investments for economic development.

George Steuart & Co., Sri Lanka’s oldest mercantile establishment, has become a Strategic Partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). This partnership was cemented during the recent visit of Lord Swire, Deputy Chairman of CWEIC, to Sri Lanka. The invitation extended to George Steuart & Co., is an acknowledgement of the company as the flagbearer of the local private sector’s evolution from colonial commerce to the corporate Sri Lanka of today.

The strategic partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) signifies a new chapter in George Steuart’s illustrious journey, as it becomes one the Council’s nearly 150 business and government Strategic Partners from 35 countries and territories.

CWEIC is a commercial, not-for-profit membership organisation with an official mandate from the Commonwealth Heads of Government to facilitate trade and investment throughout the 56 Commonwealth member nations. The role of CWEIC is to use the convening power and trusted network of the Commonwealth, which is led by the King, to drive trade and investment.

Lord Swire added “CWEIC’s mission is to connect businesses across the Commonwealth, leveraging shared values and trusted networks to unlock trade and investment opportunities.

The addition of George Steuart & Co. as a Strategic Partner reflects Sri Lanka’s enduring role in the Commonwealth’s business landscape and the growing engagement of its private sector on the global stage.

With its deep-rooted history and forward-looking approach, George Steuart & Co. is well positioned to benefit from and contribute to CWEIC’s dynamic ecosystem. I am confident that this partnership will open new avenues for collaboration, not just within Sri Lanka, but across the 56 nations of the Commonwealth.”

The ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ Capital Market Investor Forum 2025, hosted by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Stockbroker industry is scheduled to take place on 27th and 28th of March 2025 at the Shangri-La Colombo.

The forum will feature high-ranking officials, including government policy makers, regulators, representatives of leading listed companies and stockbroker firms, will present a unified vision of Sri Lanka’s potential as a dynamic investment hub.

The forum will bring together key stakeholders from local and international markets, fostering connections and partnerships that drive mutual growth. This includes foreign institutional investors & fund managers, local fund managers and institutional investors as well as industry leaders, creating a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

Sri Lanka’s economy is undergoing a commendable revival, positioning its capital market as an attractive diversification option for global investors and offers a unique opportunity to be a part of the country’s growth story. YoY returns for 2023 and 2024 have been in positive territory with the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) and S&P SL20 providing returns of 25.50% and 16.42% respectively in 2023, and the ASPI by 49.66% and the S&P SL20 by 58.46% in 2024. The trend in indices have continued into 2025 with both indices in positive range with significant improvement in market volumes and turnover particularly over the last two years.

In 2024, the market also recorded a positive net inflow of USD 66.5 Mn, alongside the highest capital raised in a single year reaching USD 568.61 Mn.

The stability and success achieved on the economic front coupled with the political stability in the country has reinforced investor confidence. This administration’s commitment to reducing state expenditure, advancing external debt restructuring, adhering to the IMF reform program amidst currency stability and a low-interest rate environment has bolstered Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and stock market growth.