The India–Sri Lanka Business Forum and CEOs Interaction held in Mumbai on May 13 closed with both sides pledging deeper cooperation in renewable energy, port and logistics connectivity, tourism, technology and manufacturing, Newswire reported in a post-event readout published Wednesday.
Co-organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Western Region, the forum gathered Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Mahishini Colonne, Senior Economic Adviser to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa, Maharashtra government Chief of Protocol Dr Rajesh Ravindra Gawande, Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Mumbai Priyanga Wickramasinghe and a 19-member CEO delegation led by Krishan Balendra, who chairs both the Ceylon Chamber and John Keells Holdings.
CII Western Region International Trade & Investment Sub-committee Co-chairman Anurag Agarwal, who is also Polycab India’s CEO, told delegates the two economies were “at an important phase of economic collaboration, where connectivity, investments, innovation, and sustainable partnerships are creating new opportunities for shared growth.” He highlighted improved maritime connectivity, ferry services, air links and digital payment integration as the immediate enablers.
Colonne framed the forum’s significance beyond trade volumes. “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,” she said.
Hulangamuwa pitched Sri Lanka’s post-stabilisation pivot. “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,” he said.
Balendra positioned the Ceylon Chamber as an “active catalyst and bridge” for bilateral investment flows, calling India “not just a neighbour, but a critical partner” in the country’s growth pivot.
Closing the forum, Kamat Hotels India Executive Director and CII Tourism & Hospitality sub-committee chairman Vishal Kamat said the India-Sri Lanka partnership was “entering a new era driven by trust, resilience, connectivity, and shared regional aspirations.” Sri Lankan participation also included Ceylon Chamber Vice Chairperson and Standard Chartered Sri Lanka CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri, Deputy Vice Chairperson and Hirdaramani Group Chairman Vinod Hirdaramani, and Secretary General Shiran Fernando.
The Mumbai engagement adds to a busy India-Sri Lanka commercial calendar that includes the proposed Dhanushkodi–Talaimannar land bridge research, the active ferry-services dialogue and ongoing Adani group footprint discussions around the Colombo West International Terminal.
