The High Commission of Sri Lanka in London organised a series of trade and investment engagements in London and Dover on 21 and 22 October 2026 to promote Sri Lanka’s export potential, attract investment and strengthen commercial ties with the United Kingdom ahead of Sri Lanka EXPO 2027, scheduled for 14–17 January 2027 in Colombo.
The main event, the UK–Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Forum, was held at the High Commission on 21 October, attracting over 130 participants, including business leaders, investors and other stakeholders. Coordinated by the Trade Section of the High Commission, the Forum was attended by a high-level Sri Lankan delegation led by Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development.
Welcoming the gathering, High Commissioner Nimal Senadheera highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral commercial relations and promoting EXPO 2027 as a platform for new business partnerships. Minister Samarasinghe encouraged British businesses to explore Sri Lanka’s export and investment opportunities, highlighting the benefits available under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
The Forum featured a presentation on Sri Lanka EXPO 2027 by Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), followed by a panel discussion titled “Why Source from Sri Lanka? Opportunities for UK Buyers, Importers and Distributors.” Moderated by Mr. Simon Culhane, Finance Director for Sri Lanka - UK Chamber of Commerce, the discussion explored trade and sourcing opportunities and ways to strengthen links between UK buyers and Sri Lankan suppliers. Mrs. Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary to the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development; Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe; and Mr. Suraj Wijendra, Head of Finance at Marks & Spencer contributed as panellists. The investment session included a keynote address by Mrs. Jayasundara on investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and a presentation by Ms. Priyanka Samaraweera, Director of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI), on prospects for foreign investment. Mr. Bhathiya Athukorala, at International Construction Consortium (ICC), presented opportunities in Port City Colombo and the booming real estate sector in Sri Lanka.
The second panel discussion, “Why Invest in Sri Lanka? Opportunities for UK Investors and Strategic Business Partnerships,” moderated by Mr. Roshan Madawela, Chief Executive Officer of the Research Intelligence Unit (RIUNIT), examined Sri Lanka’s investment climate and opportunities for strategic collaboration. The panellists were Ms. Jayasundara, Ms. Samaraweera and Mr. Eric Selvadurai, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Aistra.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Mr. Premathilake Jayakody, Minister (Commercial) of the High Commission, expressed sincere appreciation to the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), RS Rock Holdings, Aistra, RIUNIT, International Distilleries Limited and ICC for their valued support and partnership in making the Forum a success.
On 22 October, the delegation met representatives of the UK–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce to discuss business cooperation and UK participation in EXPO 2027. A further meeting with Ms. Samantha Cohen CVO, OBE, Chief Executive of CWEIC, and other Council representatives explored opportunities to connect Sri Lankan and UK businesses with international investors through the Commonwealth business network. The two-day programme concluded with a business networking and investment engagement in Dover, organised by the High Commission jointly with RS Rock Holdings. The event brought together over 30 UK business representatives, including potential investors, to explore commercial opportunities with Sri Lanka.
The High Commission looks forward to welcoming UK buyers, investors and business representatives to Colombo in January 2027 to explore further opportunities for trade, investment and business cooperation.
High Commission of Sri Lanka in London
27 October 2026
