The High Commission of Sri Lanka in London has organised a series of trade and investment engagements in London and Dover to promote Sri Lanka’s export potential, attract foreign investment and strengthen commercial ties with the United Kingdom ahead of Sri Lanka EXPO 2027.
The main event, the UK–Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Forum, was held at the High Commission, attracting more than 130 participants, including British business leaders, investors and other stakeholders. The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK, Nimal Senadheera underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral trade relations and highlighted Sri Lanka EXPO 2027 as an important platform for developing business partnerships.
Minister Samarasinghe invited British businesses to explore Sri Lanka’s export and investment opportunities, drawing attention to the benefits available under the United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
The forum featured a presentation on Sri Lanka EXPO 2027 by Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe, followed by a panel discussion on “Why Source from Sri Lanka? Opportunities for UK Buyers, Importers and Distributors.”
Moderated by Simon Culhane, Finance Director of the Sri Lanka–UK Chamber of Commerce, the discussion examined sourcing opportunities and ways to strengthen commercial links between UK buyers and Sri Lankan suppliers. Panellists included Secretary to the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe and Marks & Spencer Head of Finance Suraj Wijendra.
The investment session featured a keynote address by Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara on investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, while Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) Director Priyanka Samaraweera outlined prospects for foreign investment. Bhathiya Athukorala of the International Construction Consortium (ICC) also presented opportunities in Port City Colombo and Sri Lanka’s real estate sector.
A second panel discussion, titled “Why Invest in Sri Lanka? Opportunities for UK Investors and Strategic Business Partnerships,” explored the country's investment climate and potential for strategic collaboration. Moderated by Research Intelligence Unit (RIUNIT) Chief Executive Officer Roshan Madawela, the discussion featured Thilaka Jayasundara, Priyanka Samaraweera and Aistra Co-Founder and Managing Partner Eric Selvadurai.
Delivering the vote of thanks, High Commission Minister (Commercial) Premathilake Jayakody acknowledged the contributions of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), RS Rock Holdings, Aistra, RIUNIT, International Distilleries Limited and ICC towards organising the forum.
The Sri Lankan delegation continued its engagements with a meeting with representatives of the UK–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce to discuss business cooperation and opportunities for UK participation in Sri Lanka EXPO 2027.
A subsequent meeting with CWEIC Chief Executive Samantha Cohen CVO, OBE, and other Council representatives focused on connecting Sri Lankan and British businesses with international investors through the Commonwealth business network.
The two-day programme concluded with a business networking and investment engagement in Dover, jointly organised by the High Commission and RS Rock Holdings. The event brought together more than 30 UK business representatives, including prospective investors, to explore trade and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka EXPO 2027, scheduled to take place in Colombo from 14 to 17 January 2027, is expected to provide a platform for promoting Sri Lankan products and services, facilitating international business partnerships and attracting investment.
