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President of largest Business Chamber of Viet Nam voices optimism on SL’s economy

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President VCCI, Pham Tan Cong, meets SL’s ambassador to Viet Nam Prof. A. Saj U. Mendis.

Chairman and president of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, known as VCCI, Pham Tan Cong, had a comprehensive and detailed bilateral meeting with the ambassador of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam, Prof. A. Saj U. Mendis, at the VCCI head office in Ha Noi. The VCCI is the largest and most influential business chamber in Viet Nam consisting of nearly 15,000 members/corporates. The VCCI plays a seminal and pivotal role as the most reputed Business Chamber in navigating and steering the economy of the country, including but not limited to trade, investments, employment and tourism, a press release issued by the Sri Lankan embassy in Viet Nam said.

The release adds: ‘The meeting with President Pham Tan Cong lasted approximately 45 minutes, during which, President Cong highlighted the economic and commercial vantages of Sri Lanka. He further added that Sri Lanka is also well-poised and well-positioned to be a rapidly developing economy in the region mostly due to the strategic location, human resources, literate and adaptable workforce, connectivity to the world and infrastructure, among others.

‘Ambassador Mendis stated that the unprecedented rise and advancement of Viet Nam since 1995, in a single generation, was commended and admired by many a nation world over. He further added that in 1990, the GDP per capita of Viet Nam was only USD 90 and today it has risen to USD 4,500. Prof Mendis did make a parallel to the economy of Viet Nam stating that the GDP per capita of Sri Lanka is also in the vicinity of USD 3,800 with stable and predictable macro and micro economic dimensions coupled with economic and political stability. Prof Mendis accentuated that Sri Lanka is ideally located and placed to attract and woo FDIs and FIIs from world over including from Viet Nam. Both the President and Envoy touched upon the bilateral trade between the two countries and the President added that the bilateral trade between the two countries needs to be boosted to USD 500 million by next year and to USD one billion within the next couple of years.

‘President Cong stated since almost all the large corporates both Vietnamese and foreign are members of the VCCI, the Embassy of Sri Lanka is to provide and extend sufficient quantum of information on Sri Lanka particularly in the sphere of investments and trade to be disseminated to select corporates based in Viet Nam. Both the President and Envoy discussed the necessity to have direct flights, thus enhancing bilateral tourism as well as other commercial and economic activity.

‘Prof Mendis added that the recent listing of one of the largest corporates of Viet Nam, specialized in manufacturing of automobiles and electric vehicles (EVs), named Vinfast on the NASDAQ stock market of the US was a testament of the economic and commercial augmentation of Viet Nam. For record, Vinfast Group, after the listing in the US, had a market capitalization of nearly USD 100 billion, surpassing the combined market cap. of both the General Motors and Ford. Envoy Mendis, unequivocally, enunciated the fervent desire and interest of Sri Lanka to be proactively engaged with Viet Nam in the realm of trade, investments, FDIs, tourism and employment, amongst others. Both the President and Envoy stated that the bilateral trade of Viet Nam, last year, was over USD 730 billion and greater than even the GDP of Viet Nam. President added that the patent secret of having such high degree of exports and imports were primarily due to the number of FTAs and strategic partnership agreements of Viet Nam with a number of select countries.’



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Business, economic heavyweights converge in Colombo

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Senior business leaders, economists and international development experts, alongside the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, will headline the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 12 and 13 October at the Shangri-La Colombo.

The Summit will open with a keynote address by T. Krishnakumar, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, who brings more than four decades of experience in the consumer brands and FMCG sectors. Having previously served as President of Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, with extensive experience in building businesses and driving growth across emerging markets, Krishnakumar, more popularly known as Kk, now leads Reliance Consumer Products as it expands across categories and builds new customer, partnership and market opportunities.

Day 2 will bring together four international perspectives across discussions on economic resilience, regional connectivity, sector growth and digital transformation.

Lilia Aleksanyan, Senior Country Economist for Sri Lanka at the Asian Development Bank, will open the day’s discussions with a focus on Sri Lanka’s economic resilience. Her work covers the country’s macroeconomic outlook, policy advice and macro-fiscal and financial-sector reform. Her international policy experience also includes roles at the French Ministry of Finance and the French Central Bank.

The Summit will then turn to Sri Lanka’s connections with regional markets, with P. D. Singh, Chief Executive Officer, India & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, delivering the keynote for the session on trade corridors and value chains. Singh counts close to three decades of experience in banking and finance, with senior leadership roles spanning Standard Chartered, JPMorgan Chase Bank and HSBC.

The Sector Deep Dives will bring international perspectives to discussions on healthcare and energy.

Tushar Shroff, Chief Financial Officer, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd, will deliver the keynote for the healthcare discussion, drawing on more than three decades of experience in corporate finance, strategic investment and financial transformation. His career spans senior finance and leadership roles with ABB, Piramal Healthcare, Intas Pharmaceuticals and Vedanta Group, giving him a broad perspective on the business and investment decisions shaping the healthcare sector.

For the energy-focused deep dive, Edore Onomakpome, Regional Infrastructure Industry Manager for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal at the International Finance Corporation, will bring extensive experience in infrastructure investment and project finance across emerging markets. Since joining IFC in 2013, she has held senior roles across Africa and South Asia, including managing IFC’s infrastructure portfolio across 16 countries.

The Summit will conclude its keynote programme with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who will deliver the keynote for “Nation Building in the Digital Age.” The Prime Minister also oversees the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, bringing a direct policy perspective to discussions on digital transformation, innovation, education and the skills needed for a changing economy.

Together, these perspectives will bring regional, international and policy insight to SLEIS 2026 as Sri Lanka considers how to strengthen economic resilience, attract investment, deepen regional connections and develop new sources of growth.

Held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy,” SLEIS 2026 will take place on 12 and 13 October 2026 at the Shangri-La Colombo.

The Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 is supported by its valued sponsors and partners. Platinum Sponsor – Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Gold Sponsor – VISA Worldwide (Pvt) Ltd., Bronze Sponsor – South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd., Strategic Development Partner – Asian Development Bank, Telecommunication Partner – Dialog Telecommunication, Television Partner – Dialog Television, Session Sponsors – David Pieris Motor Company (Pvt) Ltd., Hemas Holdings PLC, Sunshine Holdings PLC, International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Ltd., Microsoft Sri Lanka (Pvt) Limited, Official Logistics Partner – Hayleys Advantis Limited, Official Airline – SriLankan Airlines Ltd., Official Hospitality Partner – Shangri-La Colombo, Airline Partner – China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd.

Registrations for SLEIS 2026 are now closed. The Ceylon Chamber looks forward to welcoming participants to the discussions on Sri Lanka’s future trajectory on 12 and 13 October.

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Commercial Bank launches ‘Prestige’ banking for HNW clients

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Sharhan Muhseen, Chairman of Commercial Bank flanked by Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO and Hasrath Munasinghe, Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer at the launch of Commercial Bank Prestige Banking

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has launched ‘Prestige’, a three-tier banking proposition aimed at high-net-worth (HNW) clients, combining wealth management, advisory services and lifestyle benefits.

The initiative replaces the bank’s existing ‘Elite’ private banking brand with Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond tiers, designed to cater to customers according to their wealth profiles and banking relationships.

The bank said Prestige would provide dedicated relationship managers, priority branch services, preferential rates on loans and deposits, enhanced card privileges, family banking programmes and offshore account solutions.

Its wealth and investment management services include access to capital-protected income solutions, dual-currency investments, institutional deals and estate and portfolio governance.

Clients will also have access to specialist financial and corporate advisory services, including assistance with international relocation, overseas property and capital repatriation.

The programme includes lifestyle benefits such as VIP airport lounge access, travel concierge services, property management and medical coordination, as well as access to selected art and culinary events.

The bank said its flagship Prestige banking residence at R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 07, had been refurbished, with the service to be extended to other economically important cities.

Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge said Prestige was intended to support customers in managing their wealth, business interests, family needs and long-term legacy.

Existing Elite clients are being transitioned to the new programme, the bank said.

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Ceylinco Life rewards 80 sales achievers with overseas tours

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Ceylinco Life has rewarded 80 members of its sales force with overseas tours to Vietnam and China for their outstanding performance in the company’s 2025 sales competitions.

The group comprised 62 sales achievers who travelled to Vietnam and 18 who visited China.

The Vietnam tour included visits to Hanoi’s Ho Chi Minh Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Hoan Kiem Lake. The group also travelled to Ha Long Bay, where they went on an Aurora Cruise and explored attractions including Sung Sot Cave, Luun Cave and Titop Island.

The tour also featured a sunset party aboard the cruise, with music and refreshments.

The 18 achievers who travelled to China visited several of Beijing’s major historical and cultural attractions, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. They also took a boat ride on Kunming Lake.

A highlight of the China tour was a visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, including a round-trip cable car ride. The group also attended an acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theatre and visited the Panda Garden at Beijing Zoo.

The company said the tours were organised to recognise and reward sales personnel for their performance and achievements.

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