Business
At Asia’s crossroads, Sri Lanka must decide how it will join the future
In the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand, where merchants once connected civilisations through trade and ideas, a new conversation unfolded from 3–6 May at the 59th Annual Meetings of the Asian Development Bank.Political leaders, central bank governors, investors, innovators and development partners gathered under a compelling theme: “Crossroads of Progress: Advancing the Region’s Connected Future.”
The message resonating across the forum was unmistakable. Asia and the Pacific are entering a decisive decade in which connectivity, technology and regional cooperation will shape economic power and social resilience. Supply chains are being redesigned. Artificial intelligence is transforming productivity. Energy systems are becoming increasingly interconnected. Financing models are evolving to accommodate climate pressures and development needs. Countries that move quickly and cohesively are likely to benefit from this transformation. Those trapped in internal fragmentation risk falling behind.
The Annual Meetings demonstrated that the future envisioned by the ADB is no longer theoretical. Across the region, governments are already repositioning themselves to participate in a more integrated Asian economy. Discussions focused heavily on cross-border infrastructure, digital innovation, energy interconnection, sustainable finance and regional policy harmonisation.
One recurring theme was that “integration is power.” In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty and economic disruption, regional cooperation is increasingly viewed as the foundation of resilience. From trade corridors and logistics systems to energy-sharing mechanisms such as the ASEAN Power Grid, policymakers emphasised that countries can no longer afford to operate in isolation.
The conversations in Samarkand also reflected how development itself is being redefined. Data, digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence are becoming as important as roads, ports and airports. Governments across Asia are already deploying AI-enabled public services, fintech systems, smart agriculture and real-time disaster response technologies to improve efficiency and social inclusion.
Equally important was the recognition that public financing alone will not be enough to meet the region’s ambitions. The ADB repeatedly stressed the need for innovative financing mechanisms capable of mobilising private capital while strengthening domestic fiscal systems. Climate adaptation, energy transition and infrastructure expansion will require development finance that is scalable, catalytic and capable of attracting long-term investor confidence.
For Sri Lanka, the discussions carried particular significance.
Having emerged from one of the gravest economic crises in its post-independence history, Sri Lanka today stands at a delicate juncture. The country possesses many of the advantages needed to participate meaningfully in Asia’s next growth phase: strategic geographic positioning, human capital, maritime access and longstanding relationships with multilateral institutions such as the ADB. Yet the gap between potential and preparedness remains considerable.
While many Asian economies appear to have moved toward greater institutional maturity and long-term policy coordination, Sri Lanka continues to wrestle with recurring political instability, governance concerns, debt restructuring pressures and inconsistencies in economic policymaking. Questions surrounding legal processes, public sector reforms and policy continuity continue to affect investor confidence and national coherence.
The challenge facing Sri Lanka is therefore not merely economic. It is fundamentally institutional and political.
The larger Asian story unfolding in Samarkand was one of countries aligning national purpose with regional opportunity. Whether through digital transformation, energy integration or climate financing, many nations appear increasingly focused on continuity, coordination and long-term execution. Sri Lanka, by contrast, still appears engaged in resolving foundational questions about governance, accountability and economic direction.
This does not diminish the country’s prospects. Rather, it highlights the urgency of reform and policy harmonisation if Sri Lanka is to become a meaningful participant in the region’s connected future.
The ADB’s vision for Asia is ultimately centered on resilience through cooperation. It is a vision in which countries strengthen themselves not in isolation, but through deeper engagement with regional systems of trade, finance, energy and technology. For Sri Lanka, this presents both an opportunity and a warning.
The opportunity lies in leveraging multilateral partnerships, embracing digital modernisation, strengthening institutional credibility and integrating more deeply into emerging regional networks. The warning is that Asia’s transformation is accelerating. Countries unable to build stable governance structures and coherent development strategies may struggle to capture its benefits.
Samarkand itself offered a symbolic reminder of this reality. Historically, it flourished because it connected worlds. Today, Asia is once again building new networks of connection – digital, financial, infrastructural and geopolitical.
The question confronting Sri Lanka is whether it can align its political will and economic resilience quickly enough to travel alongside the region’s next decade of growth rather than watch it from the margins.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
As Asia continues to account for a growing share of global economic activity, Sri Lanka faces an important opportunity to strengthen its links with regional trade networks, supply chains and economic corridors. How the country can make better use of these connections to attract investment, expand trade and strengthen its position in regional value chains will be among the key questions at the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 12-13 October 2026.
Titled “Linking Sri Lanka to Asia’s Growth Networks: Trade, Corridors, and Value Chains,” the session will examine the opportunities for Sri Lanka to deepen its integration with the wider Asian economy and build stronger connections with regional and global markets.
The session keynote will be delivered by P.D Singh – Chief Executive Officer, India and South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank. He will be joined for a panel discussion by Chathuranga Abeysinghe – Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Akio ISOMATA – Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, MASAAKI Kawabata – Chairman – Toyota Lanka (Private) Limited, and Ravi Jayawardena – Group Chief Executive Officer-Maliban Biscuits (Private) Limited. The session will be moderated by Ms. Subhashini Abeysinghe – Research Director- Verité Research.
For Sri Lanka, stronger regional integration can open opportunities beyond traditional export markets. Greater participation in regional supply chains, improved trade connectivity and closer links to economic corridors can support investment in areas such as logistics, manufacturing, export services and other sectors connected to international production networks.
The discussion will consider what Sri Lanka needs to do to strengthen its position within these networks, including improving trade connectivity, attracting investment and creating a business environment that enables companies to participate more effectively in regional and global value chains.
It will also look at the experience of businesses and international institutions operating across the region, providing perspectives on how companies assess markets, build supply chains and identify locations for investment. With supply chains and investment flows increasingly shaped by regional connectivity, the session will also consider the partnerships and strategies needed to position Sri Lanka as a more competitive participant in Asia’s growth networks, while creating opportunities for trade, investment, innovation and economic growth.
The session will form part of the second day of SLEIS 2026, held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy.”
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., 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 are now open at https://sleis.chamber.lk/. For more information, contact Alikie on 011 558 8805 (alikie@chamber.lk) or Shanuka on 0701082541 (events.division@chamber.lk).
The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC), in collaboration with the Road Development Authority (RDA) and Police – Traffic Division, will conduct a special Road Safety Awareness Programme to promote the importance of wearing seat belts in vehicles specially on the express highways in order to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries.
The official handing-over ceremony took place at the Chairman’s Office of the Road Development Authority on 14th September 2026, where specially designed Seat Belt Safety Hanging Tags & Stickers prepared by the Automobile Association of Ceylon were handed over to the RDA for distribution to motorists at entry points to the expressways.
The initiative is being conducted in connection with the seat belt law coming into effect on 19th September 2026 and is intended to create greater public awareness of the importance of wearing seat belts in both the front and rear seats of vehicles.
Representing the Automobile Association of Ceylon at the ceremony Dhammika Attygalle, President; Prasanna De Zoysa, Sectional Chairman – Road Safety; and Devapriya Hettiarachchi, Secretary, Senior Superintendent of Police -Traffic Sisira Peththrathanthri, participated in the programme.
The Automobile Association of Ceylon has consistently maintained that road safety is one of its foremost priorities. Through awareness campaigns, educational programmes and collaboration with government authorities and other stakeholders, the Association continues to encourage responsible driving and safer behaviour among all road users.
AAC believes that the proper use of seat belts, including by rear-seat passengers, is a simple but vital safety measure that can help reduce serious injuries and save lives in the event of a road crash.
The programme further strengthens the cooperation between the Automobile Association of Ceylon, the Road Development Authority and the Police in their shared commitment towards safer roads and saving lives in Sri Lanka.
Global Housing & Real Estate (Pvt) Ltd (GHR) has announced a landmark partnership with Sri Lankan cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya, as its Brand Ambassador as GHR enters a new chapter in its journey within Sri Lanka’s luxury real estate sector.
The partnership was officially unveiled at a press conference held at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, on 14 September 2026, bringing together industry leaders, investors and members of the media under the theme “Two Gamechangers, A New Beginning.”
The collaboration brings together two names associated with challenging convention in their respective fields: Sanath Jayasuriya, whose fearless approach transformed the dynamics of international cricket, and GHR, which has sought to introduce new approaches to property investment and luxury living in Sri Lanka.
Over the past two decades, GHR has built its presence in Sri Lanka’s real estate sector with a focus on quality, structural integrity and long-term investment value.
A significant milestone in the company’s journey came in 2016, when GHR introduced the hotel residency concept to the Sri Lankan market. The model brought together luxury hospitality and real estate investment, creating opportunities for property ownership with the potential to generate investment returns while contributing to the growth of the country’s high-end tourism offering. GHR has since continued to expand its portfolio across key destinations in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the announcement, Dasun Wickramarathna, Chairman of Global Housing & Real Estate (Pvt) Ltd, said, “For over twenty years, Global Housing & Real Estate has strived to push the boundaries of what property development can achieve in Sri Lanka. As pioneers who introduced the hotel residency concept back in 2016, our mission has always been clear: to provide high-yield investment opportunities for our clients while taking Sri Lanka’s condominium industry into a new frontier.”
Commenting on the decision to partner with Sanath Jayasuriya, he added, “When looking for a voice to represent GHR’s ethos, Sanath Jayasuriya was the natural choice. Just as Sanath disrupted traditional international cricket and redefined how the world viewed the opening overs, GHR challenged traditional approaches to real estate and established a new benchmark in luxury living. This partnership represents a true convergence; Two Gamechangers, A New Beginning.”
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