Tuesday Aug 25, 2026
Tuesday Aug 25, 2026
Saturday, 22 August 2026 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne organised a “Sri Lanka Expo 2027” promotional event on 14 August at the Consulate, bringing together Australian and Sri Lankan business stakeholders to explore trade, investment and business opportunities in Sri Lanka.
The event was attended by Export Development Board Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe and Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Director General Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena.
The program provided Victoria-based business leaders and importers with first-hand information on investment opportunities, export potential and incentives available to international investors in Sri Lanka.
Victoria-based companies interested in participating in Sri Lanka Expo 2027 attended the program, representing sectors including food and beverage, logistics, financial services, tourism and wellness. Victoria-based importers of leading Sri Lankan food and beverage brands also participated, providing an opportunity to discuss challenges affecting bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Australia.
Addressing the participants, Consul General, Pradeepa Saram highlighted Sri Lanka Expo 2027, to be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo, from 14–17 January 2027, as one of the country’s largest international business events and invited Australian and Sri Lankan business entities to use the Expo as a platform to establish new partnerships and explore business opportunities in Sri Lanka.
EDB Chairman Wijesinghe made a detailed presentation on EXPO-2027, outlining opportunities for international buyers, exporters and investors to connect with Sri Lankan companies and develop commercial partnerships. He also highlighted the advantages arising from Sri Lanka’s existing Free Trade Agreements and preferential trade arrangements with India, Pakistan, Singapore and Thailand, and explained how Australian investors could leverage Sri Lanka’s trade relationships and strategic location to access regional markets.
BOI Director General Dr. Jayawardena briefed participants on investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, particularly in the industry, energy and mineral sectors, and explained the investor-friendly packages, incentives and other benefits available to foreign investors seeking to establish or expand operations in Sri Lanka. He further highlighted the new digital investment platform launched by the BOI to facilitate and attract foreign investment.
The discussion also focused on practical challenges faced by Victoria-based importers of Sri Lankan products, particularly lengthy procedures for obtaining Plant Quarantine and phytosanitary certification.
In response, EDB Chairman Wijesinghe assured participants that a meeting would be convened with the relevant agencies to identify solutions and streamline the process.
The promotional event underscored the Consulate General’s continued efforts to strengthen Sri Lanka–Australia trade and investment relations and expand business-to-business engagement.
