Sri Lanka must improve ease of doing business and reduce regulatory uncertainty to attract high-quality foreign investment, the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham) Sandun Hapugoda said.
Speaking to Newswire, Hapugoda noted that Sri Lanka is currently at a critical stage in its economic recovery, stressing that policy clarity, consistency, and faster decision-making are essential to attract and retain foreign direct investment.
He pointed out that regulatory uncertainty remains one of the biggest barriers to investment, despite Sri Lanka’s advantages such as its strategic location, skilled workforce, and growing digital infrastructure.
“Investors require predictability in policy direction and timely decision-making to confidently deploy capital. Delays, ambiguity, and fragmented processes can often outweigh the country’s inherent advantages,” he said.
Hapugoda also highlighted that global capital is highly competitive and mobile, urging Sri Lanka to respond with urgency, transparency, and coordination among stakeholders to remain attractive to investors.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka announced that it is establishing a structured platform and coordination mechanism aimed at fast-tracking investment proposals and addressing operational challenges faced by US businesses operating in Sri Lanka.
According to AmCham, the initiative will focus on accelerating engagement between investors and government institutions, providing clarity on regulatory and policy matters, creating a responsive feedback system, and promoting a fair and competitive business environment.
The Chamber said the objective is to improve Sri Lanka’s ease of doing business and strengthen the investment climate, enabling both existing and prospective investors to operate with greater confidence.
Hapugoda further added that public-private collaboration is key to unlocking Sri Lanka’s economic potential and accelerating sustainable growth, noting that timely reforms and coordinated action are urgently needed. (Newswire)