Thursday Nov 13, 2025
Thursday Nov 13, 2025
Thursday, 13 November 2025 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved instructing the Legal Draftsman to draft a new Investment Protection Bill, aimed at preventing arbitrary nationalisation of private enterprises and ensuring long-term policy stability for investors.
A proposal first introduced in the 2025 Budget to safeguard private property and strengthen investor confidence is now moving forward, with the Cabinet granting approval to begin drafting the new Investment Security Bill.
The proposed legislation seeks to prevent capricious nationalisation of private properties, including enterprises and assets, while also establishing an Investment Protection Board to provide a structured mechanism for resolving investment-related disputes.
“The new law is intended to enhance policy predictability and create a stable, transparent environment for both domestic and foreign investors,” Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing on Tuesday.
He said a committee of officials had previously been appointed to develop a concept paper outlining the framework and objectives of the proposed law. “Based on this concept paper, the Cabinet has now directed the Legal Draftsman to proceed with preparing the draft Bill,” he added.
Dr. Jayatissa said the Government views the new act as a critical step towards strengthening investor protection, improving Sri Lanka’s ease of doing business, and attracting sustainable foreign direct investment in the years ahead.
The proposal to this effect was submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister.
