The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) brought together top government officials, industry leaders, and business delegates in Mumbai recently (13) for the India–Sri Lanka Business Forum and CEOs Interaction, spotlighting a new era of bilateral economic cooperation.
The high‑level engagements underscored optimism about deepening trade, investment, and connectivity ties, while opening fresh opportunities across sectors from renewable energy and logistics to tourism, technology, and manufacturing.
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; Mr 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; Ms Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai; Mr Krishan Balendra, Chairperson, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Chairperson, John Keells Holdings PLC; Mr Anurag Agarwal, Co-chairman, CII Western Region Sub-committee on International Trade & Investment and Chief Executive Officer, Polycab India Ltd; Mr Vishal Kamat, Chairman, CII Western Region Sub-Committee on Tourism and Hospitality and Executive Director, Kamat Hotels India Ltd; Mr. Bingumal Thewarathanthti, Vice Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber and CEO Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Mr. 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. (Newswire)