COYLE welcomes new Chairman Manjula Wijesundera: Ushering in a year of international growth

Manjula Wijesundera 

The Chamber of Young  Entrepreneurs (COYLE) has announced the appointment of Manjula Wijesundera as its new Chairman for the year 2025/26. A respected entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for business-led development, Wijesundera steps into leadership with a bold theme that reflects the needs of the hour — “A Year of International Growth.”

With the global economy undergoing profound shifts, Wijesundera appointment marks a timely change in COYLE’s strategic focus. In his inaugural remarks, the new Chairman articulated a vision for strengthening Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through robust international engagement and enhanced global market access for Sri Lankan businesses. His message was clear: sustainable economic recovery will come from expanding the nation’s presence beyond its borders.

“As Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, we must look outward and act with purpose. The next phase of our growth lies in our ability to compete, collaborate, and lead in international markets. This year will be about building bridges — with policymakers, global partners, and emerging economies — to position Sri Lanka as a trusted trade and investment partner,” Wijesundera stated.

Under his leadership, COYLE will actively pursue stronger relationships with international chambers, diplomatic missions, and trade bodies, laying the groundwork for more meaningful bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The Chamber’s focus will be to support and amplify the voice of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs globally — especially in sectors such as apparel, rubber, tea, ICT, and manufacturing, which continue to be among the country’s highest foreign exchange earners.

Wijesundera believes that strong international relations not only open new doors for exports but also attract critical investments and partnerships needed to modernise Sri Lanka’s industries and infrastructure. “In an interconnected world, diplomacy and business must go hand in hand. Our vision is to be a trusted ally in economic diplomacy,” he noted.

As part of this agenda, COYLE is preparing to lead a series of structured engagements with foreign policymakers and trade delegations. These efforts are aimed at helping Sri Lankan businesses overcome barriers to market entry, navigate evolving regulatory frameworks, and build long-term partnerships across key regions including South Asia, the Middle East, East Asia, and Europe.

By taking a proactive approach, the Chamber hopes to influence international trade conversations and ensure that Sri Lanka remains competitive in an increasingly protectionist global environment. COYLE also aims to foster stronger diaspora business linkages that could be leveraged to expand the country’s export footprint.

To further strengthen its global footprint, COYLE will promote both inbound and outbound trade delegations — creating valuable platforms for local entrepreneurs to explore overseas markets and for international stakeholders to discover opportunities in Sri Lanka. These delegations will foster deeper business connections, drive investment flows, and stimulate bilateral collaboration.

Additionally, COYLE is actively working on signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with prominent business chambers in key partner countries. These MoUs will serve as formal gateways for mutual cooperation in trade, investment, knowledge exchange, and joint ventures.

Looking ahead, COYLE aims to position itself as the preferred contact point for foreign investors and companies interested in exploring or expanding their presence in Sri Lanka. By acting as a trusted conduit between international enterprises and local industries, the Chamber is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Sri Lanka’s image as a competitive, investor-friendly destination.

While international policy and diplomacy will take centre stage, COYLE will remain firmly committed to its core mission: empowering entrepreneurs. Wijesundara’s vision includes creating international exposure opportunities for startups and SMEs, fostering knowledge sharing with global counterparts, and facilitating access to mentorship, technology, and capital beyond Sri Lanka’s borders.

In what promises to be a defining year for the Chamber, COYLE stands ready to drive international growth, support government efforts in economic development, and position Sri Lanka as a formidable player in the global marketplace — led by its entrepreneurs.