BOI presents Sri Lanka’s investment proposition to British investors at Sri Lanka–UK Trade and Investment Forum in London

BOI Executive Director (Investment Promotion and Research) Priyanka Samaraweera 

engaging the audience 

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) set out Sri Lanka’s investment opportunities, incentives and facilitation framework to British investors and business leaders during an official Sri Lankan delegation visit to the United Kingdom on 21 and 22 October 2026. The two-day promotional program was organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the High Commission of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom, and was led by Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe.

The delegation comprised Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara, Export Development Board Chairman/CEO Mangala Wijesinghe, and Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Executive Director (Investment Promotion and Research) Priyanka Samaraweera. They were accompanied by, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera and Minister Commercial Premathilake Jayakody.

The program set out to position Sri Lanka as a reliable and competitive trade and investment partner in the UK market; to promote Sri Lanka Expo 2027, to be held in Sri Lanka from 14 to 17 January 2027, and encourage strong British participation; to encourage UK companies to explore sourcing, investment and business partnerships with Sri Lanka; to help Sri Lankan exporters make full use of preferential market access under the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS); and to build direct links with prospective British business partners.

Sri Lanka–UK Trade and Investment Forum

The centerpiece of the visit, the Sri Lanka–UK Trade and Investment Forum, was held at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London on 21 October and drew more than 130 participants. Following a welcome by the High Commissioner and an address by the Minister as Chief Guest, the EDB Chairman/CEO presented Sri Lanka Expo 2027, and a trade panel discussion took place. The Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development then delivered the keynote address on investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Building on the keynote, Priyanka Samaraweera delivered the BOI presentation, “Investing in Sri Lanka”, which gave UK businesses and prospective investors practical detail on:

• Investment incentives, export-related concessions and tax benefits;
• Duty-free import facilities and investment zones;
• Preferential market access available to investors in Sri Lanka; and
• Measures to improve the ease of doing business.

A presentation on Port City Colombo and the real estate sector followed. Samaraweera then joined the Secretary and Aistra Co-Founder and Managing Partner Eric Selvadurai, on the Investment Panel, which exchanged views on bilateral investment prospects, emerging opportunities and ways to strengthen Sri Lanka–UK investment partnerships, before taking questions from the floor. The forum closed with a vote of thanks by the Minister Commercial and a networking reception. 

Dialogue with the Sri Lanka–UK Chamber of Commerce

On the morning of 22 October, the Minister and the delegation, together with the High Commissioner and the Minister Commercial, met the Sri Lanka–UK Chamber of Commerce at a breakfast meeting at The Oriental Club, London. The Chamber was represented by its President, General Secretary and directors, and special invitees included representatives of the Commonwealth Research Network, the battery energy storage (BESS) technology sector and Marks & Spencer. The meeting brought together around 15 UK investors and traders with existing links to Sri Lanka to hear the concerns of the business community and the measures the Government will take in response. Discussion covered investment opportunities, bilateral trade, value addition, know-how sharing and the promotion of Expo 2027, with the BOI representing the investment perspective.

Networking session with the London investment community

The visit concluded on the evening of 22 October with a networking session organised by the investment community in London at the Dover Marina Hotel and Spa, attended by around 40 participants. The Minister spoke on Sri Lanka’s investment climate, and the EDB Chairman highlighted trade opportunities from Sri Lanka to the UK and the plans for Expo 2027. Samaraweera gave a detailed presentation on Sri Lanka’s investment climate, investment policy, qualifying criteria, the incentives available and current investment opportunities.

Bilateral business-to-business meetings between Sri Lankan stakeholders and UK business partners were also held on 22 October, alongside the scheduled events.

The BOI’s participation forms part of its continuing effort to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for foreign direct investment and to deepen investment ties with key partner markets, including the United Kingdom.