Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe has told a business and investment forum in London that British companies have a significant opportunity to invest in Sri Lanka’s recovering economy, citing growth, rising exports and the restoration of macroeconomic stability.
The minister was addressing a Business and Investment Forum in London attended by business leaders, investors and sector representatives from both the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka. According to a media release issued by his ministry, British companies representing information technology, real estate, energy and food processing took part, Hiru News reported.
The figures the minister cited
Samarasinghe described the UK as an important trading partner and Sri Lanka’s third-largest export market. He said the value of British investment in the country had risen to US$1.73 billion by 2025, with those companies accounting for close to 22,000 jobs.
On tourism, he said that of the 2.3 million international visitors who came to Sri Lanka in 2025, more than 212,000 arrived from the United Kingdom, making Britain the country’s second-largest source market.
Turning to the economy, the minister said reforms carried out with the International Monetary Fund had helped restore macroeconomic stability, rebuild foreign reserves and raise confidence. He said the economy had recorded 5% growth in both 2024 and 2025, and that export income from goods and services had risen to US$17.3 billion in 2025. These are the minister’s own figures as relayed by his ministry.
He invited British businesses into investments and partnerships that would raise Sri Lanka’s production capacity and create jobs, and said the government was ready to discuss their concerns and requirements directly.
The wider programme, and Expo 2027
The forum was part of a promotional programme held in London on 21–22 October by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) with the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK, Daily FT reported. The Business and Investment Forum and a networking session were held on 21 October, with bilateral meetings the following day.
Daily FT reported that the delegation also included the Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, the EDB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and an Executive Director of the Board of Investment.
The programme’s purpose was to draw UK businesses to Sri Lanka Expo 2027, which Daily FT reported is scheduled for 14–17 January 2027. Hiru’s report places the exhibition in Colombo in January 2027. The event was originally planned for 2026 and postponed.
