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India–Sri Lanka Business Forum highlights new momentum in trade, investment and connectivity
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), organised the India–Sri Lanka Business Forum: Partnering in Sri Lanka’s Growth and Investment and the CII – Ceylon Chamber CEOs Interaction, in Mumbai, on 13 May, 2026. The events brought together senior government representatives, industry leaders, policymakers, and business delegates from India and Sri Lanka to deepen economic engagement and explore new avenues for cooperation across priority sectors.
The discussions reflected growing optimism about India-Sri Lanka economic relations and focused on expanding collaboration in trade, investments, connectivity, tourism, renewable energy, logistics, digital transformation, infrastructure, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and technology.
Participants included Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India; Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Economic Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka; Dr Rajesh Ravindra Gawande, Secretary (Protocol, FDI, Diaspora & Outreach) and Chief of Protocol, Government of Maharashtra; Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai; Krishan Balendra, Chairperson, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Chairperson, John Keells Holdings PLC; Anurag Agarwal, Co-chairman, CII Western Region Sub-committee on International Trade & Investment and Chief Executive Officer, Polycab India Ltd; Vishal Kamat, Chairman, CII Western Region Sub-Committee on Tourism and Hospitality and Executive Director, Kamat Hotels India Ltd; Bingumal Thewarathanthti, Vice Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber and CEO Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Vinod Hirdaramani – Deputy Vice Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber and Chairman Hirdaramani Group, and Mr Shiran Fernando, Secretary General & CEO of the Ceylon Chamber.
Welcoming the delegates, Anurag Agarwal, highlighted the growing momentum in India–Sri Lanka economic relations and the emergence of future-oriented sectors driving bilateral cooperation.
He noted that India and Sri Lanka are at an important phase of economic collaboration, where connectivity, investments, innovation, and sustainable partnerships are creating new opportunities for shared growth. He further emphasised the significant potential for deeper engagement in sectors such as renewable energy, tourism, ICT, logistics, digital services, healthcare, manufacturing, education, and infrastructure.
Agarwal also stated that improved maritime connectivity, ferry services, enhanced air links, and digital payment integration are strengthening ease of doing business and regional commerce. He reiterated CII’s commitment towards facilitating greater business-to-business engagement, investment partnerships, and sectoral cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
Addressing the forum, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Mahishini Colonne said, “The sectors represented here – renewable energy, infrastructure, technology, tourism, financial services, logistics, manufacturing and digital innovation – reflect where the next phase of India-Sri Lanka economic cooperation will increasingly be shaped. This is not simply about increasing trade volumes. It is about building long-term partnerships, joint ventures, regional value chains, technology collaborations, skills partnership and stronger private sector connectivity between our two countries”.
Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Economic Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka, stated that “Sri Lanka has shifted from economic stability to growth. As we shift into a sustainable growth path, India will be a key partner in our efforts to drive trade, investment and tourism. We invite investment from India into high growth sectors such as transport and logistics, digital services, tourism and high-value manufacturing.”
Speaking during the forum, Krishan Balendra, Chairperson, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Chairperson, John Keells Holdings PLC, said “At the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, we see our role as going beyond facilitation. We aim to be an active catalyst and bridge, bringing together businesses, enabling partnerships, and supporting investment flows that contribute meaningfully to Sri Lanka’s economic transformation. Sri Lanka is now pivoting towards a growth oriented future. In this context, India is not just a neighbour, but a critical partner.”
The discussions during the forum reflected strong optimism regarding the future of India-Sri Lanka economic relations and highlighted opportunities arising from enhanced maritime and air connectivity, digital payment systems, energy cooperation, and logistics integration. The role of tourism, people-to-people linkages, skilling, sustainability, and technology partnerships also featured prominently during the deliberations.
The forum witnessed active participation from industry leaders representing sectors including infrastructure, hospitality, logistics, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, ICT, manufacturing, financial services, and trade facilitation. Business networking interactions and B2B engagements enabled delegates to explore potential collaborations and investment opportunities.
Delivering the concluding remarks, Vishal Kamat, Chairman, CII WR Sub-Committee on Tourism & Hospitality and Executive Director, Kamat Hotels India Ltd, stated that the India–Sri Lanka partnership is entering a new era driven by trust, resilience, connectivity, and shared regional aspirations. He underlined the important role of industry in translating opportunities into actionable partnerships and reaffirmed CII’s commitment towards supporting sustained economic engagement between both countries through policy advocacy, business delegations, CEO interactions, and investment facilitation initiatives.
The India–Sri Lanka Business Forum concluded with strong optimism regarding the future of India-Sri Lanka economic relations and a shared commitment to deepen private sector engagements, strengthen regional connectivity and build long-term strategic partnerships that contribute to inclusive and sustainable regional growth.
By Anuradha Hiripitiyage
Electricity tariffs should be reduced by between 3 and 5 percent instead of being increased by 2.88 percent in the fourth quarter, as proposed by the National System Operator (NSO), Electricity Consumers’ Association Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said.
Addressing a media briefing in Maradagahamula, Divulapitiya, Gampaha, yesterday (16), Dhammika said a proper assessment of electricity generation costs, including the contribution of hydropower, could justify a reduction in tariffs.
He said the NSO had sought approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for a 2.88 percent tariff increase, which was expected to generate an additional Rs. 4,438 million.
However, the Commission had indicated that an increase of only 1.46 percent was warranted, amounting to Rs. 2,245 million, he said, adding that even this increase was unnecessary.
Dhammika alleged that the proposed revision sought to pass on to electricity consumers the financial burden arising from the non-arrival of five coal shipments and failed tenders.
“The Government had said that the burden of coal-related losses would not be passed on to the public. It is therefore unjust to make consumers bear these costs,” he said.
He pointed out that the PUCSL had forecast that hydropower would account for 32.34 percent of total electricity generation in the coming quarter, while the cost of such generation would represent only 3.45 percent of the overall cost of electricity production.
Consumers should benefit from the lower cost of hydropower generation rather than bear the burden of more expensive thermal power generation, he said.
Dhammika also questioned the inclusion of Rs. 669 million in capacity charges that had not been approved by the PUCSL, as well as a further Rs. 1,069 million to repay loans relating to incomplete projects.
Including such charges in the proposed tariff revision was unjustifiable, he said.
The PUCSL has given the public until October 30 to submit their views on the proposed tariff revision.
Dhammika said the possibility of increased hydropower generation in the coming weeks, as reservoir levels rise, should also be taken into account when determining electricity tariffs.
He maintained that tariffs could be reduced by 3 to 5 percent if hydropower generation was properly assessed and coal-related losses and unapproved charges were excluded from the calculations.
He further claimed that electricity tariffs could be reduced by as much as 10 percent through the promotion of renewable energy and the effective use of solar power and battery storage systems.
The Electricity Consumers’ Association urged the Government to withdraw the proposed tariff increase, insisting that consumers should not be made to bear costs arising from coal supply problems and other disputed charges.
By S.K. Samaranayake
Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiri Chapter has called for the immediate release of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, who is currently serving a prison sentence, following a court ruling.
The Asgiri Mahanayake made the appeal when a delegation of senior prison officials, including Assistant Commissioner of Prisons and Director of Operations Senaka Pallegedara, called on him on the 16th.
During the meeting, the prelate warned that the continued incarceration of Ven. Gnanasara Thera could lead to a volatile situation and cause public agitation.
Responding to the appeal, the prison officials informed the Mahanayake Thera that the authority to order the release of Ven. Gnanasara Thera did not rest with the Prisons Department but with the President.
Other senior prison officials, including Rajeev Srimal Silva, Sampath Warnakulasooriya and Mangala Welivita, were also present at the meeting.
The Sri Lanka Air Force participated in a multinational air exercise in India, alongside the air forces of the United States, France and Germany, as Sri Lanka continues to expand military cooperation with foreign countries.
A Sri Lankan Air Force Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, and a six-member crew, took part in Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, held at Air Force Station Jodhpur, from September 26 to October 12.
The exercise was hosted by the Indian Air Force, under the theme “Power in Partnership,” and involved Australia, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates, among other participating countries.
According to the Sri Lanka Air Force, the exercise was aimed at enhancing operational cooperation and interoperability among participating air forces and providing opportunities to share tactics and operational experience.
India’s public broadcaster reported that the exercise included training and experience in planning and conducting joint multinational combat operations, including counter-air, air defence, reconnaissance and air-to-air refuelling missions.
The exercise also involved 32 countries as observers.
Sri Lanka’s participation comes amid increased military engagement with foreign partners. India and Sri Lanka recently exchanged 240 military personnel under a tri-service exchange programme.
Sri Lankan military personnel also recently participated in a counter-terrorism exercise with Russia, while a senior US Army Pacific official visited Sri Lanka and discussed opportunities for greater joint training.
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