“Invest Sri Lanka” an investor forum underscoring Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening bilateral economic ties with Singapore and attracting global investment into its revitalised investment-friendly environment was held on 12 August at Conrad Marina Bay, Singapore with the participation of over 150 including senior government officials, regulators, corporate leaders, and global investors.
The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Singapore, Senarath Dissanayake welcomed the participants and emphasised the importance of this timely forum as a platform to strengthen bilateral economic relations and showcase Sri Lanka’s renewed growth prospects.
Opening remarks were delivered by Director of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Ray Abeywardena, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, Senior Professor D.B.P.H. Dissabandara, who highlighted on the resilience of Sri Lanka’s capital markets and regulatory reforms that are currently underway to promote long-term investment. Given the current economic situation in the country Professor Dissabandara highlighted that capital market based financing for SOEs is not just an option but a necessity to enable vibrant growth and economic stability.
Professor Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, presented the government’s policy outlook, focusing on an investment-led growth strategy to reverse a “lost decade” of economic stagnation, supported by new fiscal legislation and sectoral priorities including energy, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and digitalisation.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, provided the economic outlook, outlining a rapid recovery with 5% GDP growth in 2024, falling inflation, rising foreign reserves exceeding USD 6 billion, and nearing completion of debt restructuring. He announced Sri Lanka is to record a current account surplus for the third consecutive year in 2025—the first since trade liberalisation in 1977—driven by stable exports, strong remittances, and tourism rebound. The Governor urged investors to capitalise on opportunities ahead of an expected sovereign rating upgrade from CCC+ to B.
Subsequently, two engaging panel discussions followed. The first panel, focused on the outlook of the Sri Lankan economy amid global uncertainties featuring Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe. The second panel, on the Sri Lankan equity market outlook, focusing on ongoing economic reforms, financial stability, and the capital market potential of Sri Lanka featured Fund Manager of Asia Frontier Capital Ltd, Ruchir Desai; Managing Director of Lynear Wealth Management, Senior Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara; Dr. Naveen Gunawardane, and Ray Abeywardena.
The event was hosted by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), in association with the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore.
The supporting partners of the forum included the Singapore Sri Lanka Business Association, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce, ICC Sri Lanka, CFA Society Sri Lanka, and Sri Lankan Airlines.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Singapore
14 August 2025
