Ministerial-level talks address investment climate reforms, market access and a deeper European–Sri Lanka partnership

The Government of Sri Lanka and the European Union (EU) held the Sri Lanka-European Union Investment Dialogue; a high-level policy engagement convened at the Shangri-La Colombo on 31 July 2026. The session brought together senior Sri Lankan Government officials, EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and Ambassadors of France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, and representatives of EU Member States missions for a structured conversation on investment facilitation, policy consistency and the future of European–Sri Lankan economic cooperation.

The Dialogue is the latest session of the Sri Lanka-EU Investor Dialogue, first established in 2014 to maintain regular, structured communication between the European Embassies and the Government of Sri Lanka. This session was convened at the ministerial level, reflecting the importance both sides attach to sustaining investor confidence as Sri Lanka continues its post-crisis recovery under its IMF-supported reform programme.

Following the presentation of an independent Investment Climate Assessment, the Dialogue focused on Sri Lanka's strategic choice on foreign investment; translating that vision into implementation through regulatory reform; and identifying opportunities to build a deeper European–Sri Lanka investment partnership.

Discussions also covered the Government's reforms, including a digital Single Window Investment Approval System, the proposed Investment Protection Bill, and customs and industrial-zone modernization as well as the importance of continued preferential market access under the EU's GSP+ scheme, whose current cycle expires on 31 December 2026, and opportunities for cooperation under the EU's Global Gateway strategy. The session closed with reflections from both sides on near-term priorities.

Participants

• The Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka
• Deputy Ministers representing the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industries and other relevant ministries
• Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Ambassadors of France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, and representatives of EU Member States missions
• Senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Board of Investment