COYLE hosts G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Leadership Assembly

COYLE Chairman Manjula Wijesundera (left) handing over the G20 YEA Communiqué to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath

Meeting with Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe (centre)

 G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Leadership Members

The Chamber of Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) successfully concluded a five-day Leadership Assembly of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (G20 YEA) in Colombo. This landmark event brought together influential young business leaders from nine member countries to drive entrepreneurial development, cross-border collaboration, and global policy advocacy.

Representing over half a million young entrepreneurs across the G20 nations, the Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance serves as a premier platform for high-level advocacy, working directly with G20 heads of state to shape international policy. Since joining the Alliance in 2024, COYLE has become a pivotal voice for Sri Lankan enterprise. By hosting this assembly, COYLE has bridged the gap between local innovation and the global policy circle, marking a definitive milestone in positioning Colombo as a burgeoning hub for international business.

Throughout the summit, delegates engaged in high-level strategic discussions and immersive site visits. A key highlight included an extensive tour of the Colombo Port City, where members explored the project’s potential as a premier Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for global trade. The delegation also held critical meetings with key Government figures, including Industries Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe to discuss legislative frameworks that support startup ecosystems and regional economic stability. The assembly also handed over the G20 YEA Communiqué, originally signed at the summit in Johannesburg to the Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath to be passed on to higher authorities. 

The communiqué outlines critical policy recommendations aimed at fostering inclusive growth, digital transformation, and sustainable entrepreneurship. By delivering these insights directly to Sri Lanka’s policy-making body, COYLE has ensured that the voices of global and local young entrepreneurs are integrated into the national economic agenda.

COYLE Chairman Manjula Wijesundera said, “Hosting the G20 YEA Leadership Assembly is a testament to the resilience and ambition of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs. Our goal was to foster a space where global advocacy meets local opportunity. By bringing these international leaders to Colombo, we are not just discussing the future of entrepreneurship, we are actively building the bridges that will allow our industries to scale globally.”

The summit culminated with a high-profile Diplomats’ Evening, where international delegates joined senior members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, and COYLE members. This exclusive gathering served as a vital bridge between global advocacy and local opportunity, allowing world-class leaders to experience Sri Lankan hospitality firsthand while cementing the bilateral ties necessary for long-term economic synergy.

Beyond the networking, the assembly concluded with a unified commitment to collective advocacy—specifically targeting the removal of trade barriers and the expansion of capital access for young founders. By bridging the gap between local enterprise and global policy, COYLE has solidified its role as the premier champion for the next generation of business leaders on the world stage.