June, 9, 2026
The Indian CEO Forum (ICF) successfully concluded its Annual General Meeting (AGM), reaffirming its commitment to strengthening India–Sri Lanka business relations, investment cooperation, professional networking, and corporate engagement. The AGM also marked the re-election of Kishore Reddy as President of the Indian CEO Forum, reflecting the continued confidence of member companies in his leadership and the strategic direction of the Forum.
The AGM was graced by the participation of Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, who commended the Indian CEO Forum for its consistent efforts in promoting economic cooperation, corporate engagement, and bilateral collaboration between the two countries.
Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Jha highlighted the strong and growing relationship between India and Sri Lanka, noting the importance of both government-to-government engagement and increasing business-to-business and corporate interactions in driving economic growth and regional cooperation. He appreciated the role played by the ICF in facilitating stronger commercial ties, professional partnerships, and meaningful engagement between the Indian and Sri Lankan business communities.
The High Commissioner also acknowledged the growing contribution of Indian businesses in Sri Lanka and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in areas such as investment, infrastructure, tourism, technology, education, logistics, and services. He noted that organizations such as the ICF play a vital role in supporting bilateral economic diplomacy and creating greater confidence among investors and enterprises from both nations.
On the occasion of the AGM, High Commissioner, H.E. Santosh Jha commended the Indian CEO Forum for its consistent efforts in promoting economic cooperation, corporate engagement, and bilateral economic collaboration between the two countries. In a fireside conversation with Mr Kishore Reddy, President ICF, High Commissioner Jha highlighted the strong and growing relationship between India and Sri Lanka, noting the importance of connectivity, whether it is digital, energy, maritime, or land connectivity. He also elaborated on the need for upgradation of India Sri Lanka FTA and the potential of such a renewed FTA to power the next wave of growth and investment in Sri Lanka. He detailed how Sri Lanka has a significant positive trade deficit with India on FTA enabled trade. He encouraged Indian companies to also have a ‘Neighborhood First’ Policy. The event witnessed the participation of more than 100 companies, leaders of Sri Lankan industry, senior Government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.
Reddy’s re-election comes at a significant time for the ICF, as the Forum continues to expand its role as a leading platform for business collaboration, investment facilitation, policy engagement, and corporate responsibility initiatives in Sri Lanka. His renewed mandate reflects the Forum’s emphasis on continuity, stability, and strengthening the long-standing economic partnership between India and Sri Lanka.
Mr Reddy is a respected business leader with experience spanning real estate, investments, hospitality, and professional networking initiatives, Reddy has played an instrumental role in strengthening the visibility and influence of the Indian CEO Forum within Sri Lanka’s corporate and diplomatic landscape. Under his leadership, the Forum has continued to foster stronger engagement between Indian businesses, Sri Lankan enterprises, policymakers, and key stakeholders across sectors.
The Indian CEO Forum, is a registered body comprising Indian companies operating in Sri Lanka, Indian heads of multinational corporations, and Sri Lankan companies led by Indian business leaders. Today, the Forum represents more than 70 member organizations that collectively contribute significantly to employment generation, management and technical expertise, skills development, foreign exchange earnings, and economic activity in Sri Lanka.
Over the years, the ICF has evolved into one of the most influential business networking and engagement platforms in the country. The Forum regularly organizes networking sessions, institutional dialogues, knowledge-sharing initiatives, policy discussions, and professional meet-ups that bring together business leaders, diplomats, senior bureaucrats, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
Reddy’s re-election comes at a significant time for the ICF, as the Forum continues to expand its role as a leading platform for business collaboration, investment facilitation, policy engagement, and corporate responsibility initiatives in Sri Lanka. His renewed mandate reflects the Forum’s emphasis on continuity, stability, and strengthening the long-standing economic partnership between India and Sri Lanka.
A respected business leader with experience spanning real estate, hospitality, and professional networking initiatives, Reddy has played an instrumental role in strengthening the visibility and influence of the Indian CEO Forum within Sri Lanka’s corporate and diplomatic landscape. Under his leadership, the Forum has continued to foster stronger engagement between Indian businesses, Sri Lankan enterprises, policymakers, and key stakeholders across sectors.
Speaking during the AGM, the president of the Forum reiterated that the true strength of the ICF lies in its members and their continued commitment to collaboration and engagement.
“The strength of ICF is, and will always remain, its members. Every interaction, every connection, and every initiative undertaken through the Forum adds value not only to individual members and their organizations, but also to the wider business community, to the Forum and economic ties between India- Sri Lanka relationship,” Reddy noted.
The Forum also emphasized that business networking should not be viewed solely as a personal or corporate advantage, but as a collective effort that strengthens the broader business ecosystem and enhances the effectiveness of the organization as a whole and builds people to people relationship between Sri Lanka and India.
The AGM further highlighted the unique engagement opportunities facilitated by the Forum through interactions. Recent ICF engagements have not only included corporate leaders but also participation from senior bureaucrats, diplomats and representatives from key state institutions and authorities, creating valuable opportunities for public-private dialogue and cooperation.
In addition to its business and investment focus, the ICF continues to maintain a strong commitment to social responsibility and humanitarian support initiatives. The Forum and its member companies have actively contributed towards CSR-driven programs, community outreach, and assistance initiatives during times of national need and crisis, reflecting the broader commitment of Indian businesses towards Sri Lanka’s development and recovery. During Cyclone Ditwa, ICF reached out with essential deliveries to remote villages. Member companies contributed more than 2 Million dollars to support and help the people of Sri Lanka and help the government to rebuild Sri Lanka.
The Forum also reaffirmed its role in supporting prospective investors and businesses seeking opportunities in Sri Lanka by facilitating market understanding, institutional engagement, and sectoral collaboration. Through its network and partnerships, the ICF continues to promote investment opportunities across sectors including tourism, information technology, education, infrastructure, manufacturing, and services. The Indian CEO Forum is expected to continue strengthening its role as a constructive and forward-looking business platform dedicated to advancing investment promotion, bilateral cooperation, member engagement, and social impact initiatives.
Objectives of the Indian CEO Forum is to Strengthen economic cooperation between India and Sri Lanka by fostering closer collaboration between businesses, policymakers, and institutions of both countries by Contributing meaningfully to the economic growth and development of Sri Lanka through increased Indian investment, trade, innovation, employment generation, and knowledge sharing. ICF also serves as the principal bridge between Indian and Sri Lankan businesses , acting as the first point of contact for Indian corporates and investors exploring opportunities in Sri Lanka; and Sri Lankan businesses seeking expansion, partnerships, and investment opportunities in India. The forum also promotes and facilitates new Indian investments into Sri Lanka by identifying strategic sectors, highlighting emerging opportunities, and encouraging long-term investor confidence. While safeguarding and strengthening existing economic partnerships and commercial relationships between Indian enterprises and Sri Lankan stakeholders.
Indian CEO Forum serves as a high-level platform for engagement and dialogue among CEOs, senior business leaders, government representatives, and industry stakeholders from both nations, fostering new business, trade, and strategic partnerships between Indian and Sri Lankan corporates across diverse sectors of the economy by providing an open and collaborative forum for business leaders of Indian-origin enterprises, Indian multinational companies, and Sri Lankan corporates operating in Sri Lanka to exchange ideas, address challenges, and pursue shared opportunities. ICF also showcases Sri Lanka as an attractive investment destination to prospective Indian investors through advocacy, networking initiatives, and strategic business outreach programs.
As the Forum moves into its next phase of growth, it remains committed to fostering stronger India–Sri Lanka business relations, empowering its members, enhancing professional collaboration, and contributing meaningfully to the economic progress and regional partnership shared by the two nations.
The current Board members of ICF Consists of Kishore Reddy as the President, Prakash TS & Umesh Gautam as Past Presidents, K. Raghu as Vice President, Secretary Gaurav Mehta, Treasurer Anita Sontumyra, Ashish Chandra as Chairman, Government Liaison, Chairman, Membership, Database Subi Koshi George, Chairman, Event Management Samrat Datta, Chairman bye Laws Munish Kanwar, Government Liaison Committee head Sanjay Baid, Advisor to the board, Sanjay Tiwari & Harikrishnan Sundaram.
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