BANGKOK, Thailand – Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Harini Amarasuriya, has presented her country’s investment prospects to an audience of business leaders in Bangkok, describing the current political environment and economic direction as the foundation for renewed confidence and long-term growth. The seminar was held on the sidelines of the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), which Thailand is hosting from April 2 to 4.
Organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand and the Thai-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce, the seminar attracted Thai and international investors seeking information on new regional opportunities. Amarasuriya, who took office in September 2024, stated that the country has begun recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and previous economic turbulence. She described current efforts to advance infrastructure and upskill the national workforce as central to the country’s economic transition.
The Sri Lankan Prime Minister noted that foreign arrivals have increased since the beginning of 2025 and expressed optimism that the tourism sector would continue to rebound in the months ahead. She also presented Sri Lanka’s trade advantages, noting that it is the only country with free trade agreements in place with both India and Pakistan, offering duty-free access to a consumer base of over 1.5 billion people.
Trade relations with Thailand were also discussed. Between 2008 and 2024, Thailand contributed approximately 97 million US dollars in foreign direct investment to Sri Lanka. The two countries have now expanded their partnership with a free trade agreement that extends beyond goods to cover services and investment. Ambassador Wijayanthi Edirisinghe welcomed the guests and urged Thai investors to explore the new opportunities being offered.
The event also featured remarks from Dilan Samarakoon Januka, President of the Thai-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce, who highlighted ongoing developments such as Port City Colombo, a strategic special economic zone intended to attract international service-based industries. (NNT)
