The Northern Province took center stage in Sri Lanka’s economic landscape as it hosted the Northern Investment Summit 2026 on the 21st and 22nd of January. Under the theme "Building a Resilient, Inclusive, and Globally Connected Northern Economy," the two-day summit redefined the region as a compelling destination for local and international capital.

The summit was held at a pivotal time for the Northern Province, a region characterized by its high literacy rate (93%) and a population of 1.3 million. By leveraging its strong academic foundations—anchored by the University of Jaffna and the University of Vavuniya—the event deliberated the requirements to reconcile the gap between regional potential and local/global market opportunities.

The summit was a precursor to the National Vision for Regional Growth. The Northern Investment Summit was more than just a regional event; it underscored a clear national vision. Organizers emphasized that the primary objective was to drive sustainable, long-term growth that uplifted local communities while strengthening Sri Lanka’s overall economic resilience.

The key pillars of this vision included fostering public-private collaboration and creating a platform for dynamic partnerships that fuel infrastructure and service development. Diaspora Engagement, which brings the vast global network of the Sri Lankan diaspora across the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and India, to facilitate knowledge transfer and investment. Further, during the summit, the importance of policy reforms was discussed. There was emphasis on an ecosystem that advocates for investor-friendly governance and streamlines processes to ensure a seamless entry for new businesses.

The BOI Chairman, Arjuna Herath, put forward his insights and valuable thoughts during the summit opening session. “The government vision is clear: to build a robust economic and investment ecosystem tailored specifically to the unique strengths and needs of the North, mirroring the successful development models we have already witnessed in the other regions. For any economy to thrive, it requires impetus. We are prioritizing transport infrastructure requirements to take production to its markets. I am envisioning a four-lane highway across the Northern region to transform its connectivity, slashing travel time, and for efficient and effective goods and container movement. The infrastructure will undergo significant upgrades to ensure an efficient logistics environment. Extending the Jaffna airport runway will bring larger and many more cargo and passenger flights, particularly from our significant neighbor and partner, India, facilitating access to a large market. The KKS Port to upgraded to handle larger vessels, will make the Port a key enabler to integrate the Northern Province to global trade routes and to link North with the rest of the regions and the ports in the country via shipping logistics,” He underscored.

The Chairman of the BOI further explained the setting up of three strategic industrial zones for the Northern Province, which will define the industrial landscape and anchor economic development of the North.  Kankasanthurai (KKS) will be a vibrant mixed zone and leverage the skilled labor force of Jaffna to make KKS a powerhouse for apparel and other manufacturing, building on the success of existing apparel clusters in and around Kilinochchi. Paranthan has been designated as a Chemical Zone, and groundwork has already begun for its first industrial entity. Mankulam, positioned at the heart of the province, will serve as a value-addition hub. The goal is to stop exporting raw materials and start exporting high-value processed goods in the agriculture, dairy, and fisheries sectors.

The diversity of the northern inherited business tradition has offered sector-specific opportunities.  The summit’s program was meticulously designed to showcase the North’s diverse resources. While agriculture, fisheries, and livestock remained the traditional backbone of the region, the 2026 summit placed a heavy focus on high-growth sectors that can match the well-earned technology-ready human capital of Jaffna youth.

• IT & Technology: Harnessed the region’s youth-led tech communities and innovation hubs.
• Energy & Infrastructure: Identified sustainable solutions for the province's power and connectivity needs.
• Tourism & Retail: Promoted the unique cultural heritage and natural beauty of the North to a global audience.
• Healthcare & Education: Expanded services to improve the quality of life for residents and created specialized employment.

Every discussion integrated cross-cutting themes like SME empowerment, startups, and women-led enterprises to ensure inclusive growth that benefited the grassroots level.

One of the most significant goals of the summit was social renewal. By creating high-value jobs and career paths locally, the initiative aimed to retain young talent and reduce outward migration. "We wanted our youth to stay and build their futures here," said a spokesperson for the organizing committee of The Management Club (TMC), the organizers of the event. "By empowering women-led enterprises and strengthening our SME base, we built an economy that was as socially robust as it was financially sound."

The event attracted a prestigious audience, including international investors, diaspora leaders, industry titans, and development partners. The program featured inaugural day showcases, sector-specific deep dives, panel discussions with eminent experts, and facilitated "matchmaking" sessions.

As the Northern Province opens its doors, the message is clear: the region is ready to preserve its unique identity while embracing a future of global connectivity and unprecedented economic prosperity.