Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2026 to spotlight climate readiness, investment and competitiveness

As climate-linked regulations, investor expectations, and financing requirements increasingly influence global trade and market access, the Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2026 will place business readiness at the centre of national conversation, with a high-level line-up of policymakers, international agencies, corporate leaders, and technical experts set to examine what climate preparedness means for Sri Lanka’s economy in practice. 

Organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Summit will take place on 9 June at the Grand Marquee, Taj Samudra Colombo.

Held under the theme “From Risk to Opportunity: Mainstreaming Climate Action into Sri Lanka’s Growth Story,” the Summit’s agenda will examine the realities of climate preparedness for businesses, industries, and policymakers, with discussions spanning investment readiness, disaster resilience, governance, industry transition, and climate finance.

The Summit will open with a high-level plenary titled “Is Sri Lanka Climate Ready for Investment?” exploring how climate readiness is increasingly influencing investor confidence, trade access, and economic competitiveness. Environment Minister (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi, will deliver the keynote address, and join a panel discussion that includes Asian Development Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin, UN-FAO Country Representative for Sri Lanka and Maldives Vimlendra Sharan, and Dilmah Tea Chairman/CEO Dilhan Fernando. The discussion will examine the opportunities and barriers shaping Sri Lanka’s climate investment outlook, and will be moderated by Ceylon Chamber Secretary General/CEO Shiran Fernando.

The conversation will then turn to resilience through “Build Better – Before, During, and Beyond,” a session focused on disaster preparedness and climate-linked disruptions, featuring keynote remarks by Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Chief Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Climate risk and adaptation specialist Rohan Cooray will join the discussion, moderated by Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide Executive Director Dr. Lalanath de Silva, 

A second technical session, “Sector Pathways – Where Policy Meets Industry,” will examine how regulation, industry readiness, digitalisation, and finance intersect as Sri Lanka responds to emerging climate obligations. The session will feature keynote remarks by UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Azusa Kubota and an address by Dr. Lalanath de Silva, both of whom will then join the panel discussion featuring Environment Ministry Secretary K.R. Uduwawala, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, and Commercial Bank PLC Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge. The session will be moderated by Ceylon Chamber Energy Committee Co-Chair Saliya Wickramasuriya.

The private sector response will take centre stage during “Climate in the Boardroom: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage,” which will explore how companies are responding to climate disclosure requirements, sustainability expectations, and business risks while identifying opportunities for long-term competitiveness. The session will feature keynote remarks by Climate Policy Initiative Associate Director Neha Khanna, with perspectives from Hemas Consumer Brands Managing Director Sabrina Esufally, and Hirdaramani Apparel General Manager – Group Sustainability Dr. Leonie Vaas. Aitken Spence PLC Chief Sustainability Officer and AVP - Corporate Strategy & Sustainability Yasangi Muditha Randeni, will moderate the discussion.

The Summit will conclude its technical program with “Unlocking Climate Finance: From Global Funds to Local Projects,” examining how Sri Lanka can better translate international climate funding into bankable, investable local opportunities. IFC South Asia Senior Climate Business Specialist and Climate Anchor Rajesh Miglani, will deliver the keynote address, while Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Co-Chair of the Climate Action Committee Dr. Ananda Mallawatantri will lead the discussion alongside Colombo Stock Exchange Senior Vice President -Commercial Punyamali Saparamadu, and Expertise France Sustainable Business Specialist Shayani Weerasinghe.

The Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2026 is expected to attract business leaders, policymakers, development agencies, sustainability professionals, financiers, and technical experts seeking to better understand how climate readiness is reshaping economic opportunity and business competitiveness in Sri Lanka.