Lanka’s capital market pitches its investment case in Australia

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), in collaboration with Port City Colombo and the Sri Lanka High Commission in Australia, hosted an “Invest Sri Lanka” Investor Forum on 17 August 2026 at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park.

HNB Group served as the Platinum Partner, with the Australia Sri Lanka Business Council, Nalanda College Old Boys’ Association Australia and CA Sri Lanka Australia Chapter supporting the forum.

The forum aimed to strengthen international investor confidence in Sri Lanka, promote investment opportunities in the capital market and encourage greater participation by foreign fund managers and the Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia.

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia, Yasoja Gunasekera, highlighted the opportunities emerging from the country’s improving economic environment, noting that Sri Lanka’s strategic position, strong fundamentals and supportive policy environment position it for its next phase of growth.

CSE Director Ray Abeywardena said political stability and monetary discipline were key considerations for investors. He said a reallocation of funds into frontier markets was expected and expressed confidence that Sri Lanka would be well positioned to attract such investment.

SEC Chairman Senior Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara said achieving higher growth would require investment and capital formation, with the capital market playing a vital role in mobilising capital for Sri Lanka’s next phase of economic growth.

Charles Blake, Executive Director of ACP Corum Pty Ltd, said easing economic conditions, improving policy, rebounding earnings and returning liquidity were strengthening Sri Lanka’s investment case. He also highlighted an “India Plus One” opportunity, with Sri Lanka offering complementary strengths in logistics, services and manufacturing linked to India and global markets.

Central Bank Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe highlighted Sri Lanka’s improving credit profile and the potential for further ratings upgrades. He said the country’s recovery had been relatively rapid and warned that investors waiting for an upgrade could find that markets had already priced in the improvement.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe outlined opportunities arising from Government reforms, including SOE restructuring, tariff and trade policy reforms, institutional reforms, infrastructure development and digital transformation. He encouraged investors to consider brownfield projects and venture capital in addition to passive investments.

Lynear Wealth Management Co-Founder and Managing Director Dr. Naveen Gunawardane said investing in Sri Lanka should be viewed as an investment in the broader South Asian growth story, which he expects to be a key driver of global economic growth over the next five to 10 years.

The forum also highlighted opportunities through Port City Colombo. CHEC Port City Colombo Deputy Managing Director Thulci Aluwihare said the development offered international investors greater flexibility in capital flows and repatriation, creating a more accommodating environment for overseas businesses.