Port City Colombo participated as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a landmark diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City on 2nd September 2026. The evening brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders alongside Sri Lanka's most senior government representatives.

The event was graced by H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, as Guest of Honour and Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka.

The event was further elevated by the presence of a high-level Sri Lankan government delegation, underscoring the Government of Sri Lanka's strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE. The delegation included Mr. G. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka; Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Export Development Board; and Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwela, Director General of Commerce.

H.E. Prof. Arusha Cooray, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United Arab Emirates, acknowledged and appreciated the tireless efforts of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai in organising and executing an event of this magnitude and prestige, underscoring the significance of the evening as a platform for deepening the bilateral economic relationship between Sri Lanka and the UAE.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old relationship between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE's vital role as a key economic partner. He underscored the critical importance of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which he noted would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral economic cooperation to new heights, and affirmed that Sri Lanka is open and ready for business as a reliable partner for Gulf investments.

Pointing to the practical vehicle through which the deepening UAE-Sri Lanka partnership can be realised, Minister Herath noted: “As a SEZ with a dedicated legal and regulatory framework and competitive incentives, Port City Colombo is where Sri Lanka’s economic mission becomes a physical reality. For UAE businesses and investors, PCC offers a modern and internationally designed platform and a natural gateway to South Asia’s growth, while keeping you connected to the opportunities and strengths of the Gulf.”

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, addressing the gathering as Guest of Honour, highlighted Sri Lanka's growing relevance to UAE investors. “Sri Lanka offers considerable opportunities for our investment community, which continues to seek long-term, high-impact projects in growing economies. From immediate reconstruction needs to the immense potential of its logistics, technology, and tourism sectors, Sri Lanka stands out as one of the most appealing destinations for UAE capital,” he said.

Port City Colombo's participation as Platinum Sponsor reflected its role as one of Sri Lanka's primary investment propositions to the GCC region. Mr. Harsha Amarasekera PC, Chairman of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, addressed attendees on the regulatory framework and investment proposition underpinning the SEZ. “Port City Colombo is not simply a development project. It is Sri Lanka's gateway for international investment and a strategic bridge between the GCC and South Asia," he said. “At a time when Gulf investors are increasingly seeking diversified, resilient, and globally connected growth platforms, Port City Colombo offers a compelling proposition: a modern Special Economic Zone with an internationally benchmarked regulatory framework, a trusted and neutral business environment, and direct access to one of the world's fastest-growing regions.” He further noted that for GCC businesses, Port City Colombo serves as a complementary extension of their regional operations, enabling capital, enterprise, talent, and innovation to flow seamlessly between the Middle East and South Asia.

Mr. Thulci Aluwihare, Deputy Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, highlighted the progress of the development, with over USD 2 billion in investments secured to date and a target of exceeding USD 4 billion in the coming years. He also outlined the opportunities available within the SEZ for UAE businesses seeking to invest, establish, or expand their presence in South Asia, spanning real estate development, financial services, regional headquarters, and business continuity operations.

Delivering the closing remarks, H.E. Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, spoke to Sri Lanka's ongoing transformation: "Sri Lanka is ready to welcome you as a strategic partner in business, trade, and tourism. We invite you to invest, collaborate, and actively participate in shaping a transformative future for Sri Lanka beyond your dreams," he said.

The evening also saw the signing of an investment promotion agreement between the Colombo Port City Economic Commission and CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. and the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority, formalising a new institutional partnership between the two special economic zones. The agreement was signed by Mr. Johnson Modayil George, General Manager, on behalf of the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority, and by Mr. Revan Wickramasuriya, Director General of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, and Mr. Thulci Aluwihare, Deputy Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd., on behalf of Port City Colombo.

The first formal partnership of its kind between Port City Colombo and a UAE free zone authority, the partnership creates a direct and institutionally supported route into South Asia's most internationally enabled business platform for UAE-based businesses; for Port City Colombo's growing community of registered businesses, it opens structured access to the UAE's well-established free zone ecosystem

The second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams was organised by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates as a flagship platform to showcase Sri Lanka's vibrant opportunities across tourism, trade, and strategic investment. The event served as a dynamic forum for business leaders, investors, diplomats, and industry pioneers to connect, and exchange insights, laying a solid foundation for cross-border collaboration and long-term economic growth between Sri Lanka and the UAE.

Thulci Aluwihare, Deputy Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd

H.E. Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates

Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka

H.E. Prof. Arusha Cooray, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United Arab Emirates

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates

Signing of an investment promotion agreement between the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. and the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority (from left): Mr. Revan Wickramasuriya, Director General, Colombo Port City Economic Commission; Mr. Johnson Modayil George, General Manager, Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority; and Mr. Thulci Aluwihare, Deputy Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd.

The evening's panel discussion brought together the heads of Sri Lanka's leading trade and investment institutions, including (from left) Mr. Harsha Amarasekera PC, Chairman, Colombo Port City Economic Commission; Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwela, Director General of Commerce, Department of Commerce; Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman, EDB; and Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman, BOI

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