Sri Lanka participated in the inaugural session of the Trade Diplomacy Summit held on 09 July 2025 at the Centrum, World Trade Center, Mumbai. The event was jointly organized by the World Trade Center Mumbai, the All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai, with the aim of fostering stronger economic ties between India and Sri Lanka.
Chairman of the World Trade Center Mumbai and President of AIAI, Vijay Kalantri in his inaugural address stated that he initiated the Trade Diplomacy Summit as a strategic platform for discussions on emerging global trade trends, investment opportunities, and avenues for cross-border collaboration together with a distinguished gathering of diplomats, trade officials, exporters, importers, manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders committed to advancing regional and global economic engagement.
Kalantri highlighted that Sri Lanka was invited to participate in the inaugural session of the summit, acknowledging the longstanding and evolving economic relationship between the two countries. He conveyed his keen interest in building partnerships with Sri Lankan chambers and institutions to deepen bilateral trade engagement between India and Sri Lanka.
The session commenced with lighting of the traditional oil lamp and playing the national anthem of both countries.
In her key note speech, Acting Consul General of Sri Lanka, Shirani Ariyarathne emphasized the potential areas and avenues for further expanding Indo-Sri Lanka trade cooperation. This was followed by the virtual participation of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Tourism Promotion Bureau, Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Dheera Hettiarachchi, Director General of the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka, Renuka M. Weerakone, and Associate Chief Digital Economy Officer at the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), Sachindra Samararatne. The Manager for Western India of SriLankan Airlines, Suman Udhayakumaran delivered a presentation highlighting the airline’s regional connectivity and important role in promoting trade and tourism.
Over 100 participants representing reputed institutions participated at the event. The event provided a unique opportunity for the participants as Sri Lankan leading institutions came together on a single platform to showcase strengths in trade, tourism, and investment.
The Summit also served as a platform to highlight upcoming events in Sri Lanka, Particularly Disrupt Asia 2025 which was introduced in detail by Sachindra Samararatne.
During the networking session with Acting Consul General Ariyarathne, participants expressed strong interest in engaging with Sri Lanka both to explore new opportunities and to strengthening their existing co-operation.
Director of Trade & Investment Promotion, WTC, Priya Pansare announced organization of a delegation to Sri Lanka to participate at the Industry Expo and the Disrupt Asia 2025. The announcement was met with strong interest as many participants expressed their enthusiasm to join the delegation.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman of World Trade Center Mumbai, followed by a networking session.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Mumbai
29 July 2025
