Building on the longstanding economic relationship between India and Sri Lanka, the Colombo Port City Investor Forum, held at the Hyatt Regency, Chennai, on 4th November, explored new avenues for investment, enterprise and cross-border business partnerships. Hosted by the Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai, in collaboration with Port City Colombo (PCC), the forum brought together over 200 participants, including business leaders from the real estate, financial services, logistics, IT and technology sectors, representatives of leading Indian industry chambers, investors and policymakers, to explore how closer commercial engagement can create opportunities for businesses in both countries. The invitation-only forum marked Port City Colombo’s first investor forum in India, underscoring its commitment to deepening engagement with the Indian business and investment community and translating longstanding bilateral economic ties into tangible business opportunities.

 

The programme opened with an address by Hon. H.E. Dr. Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for Southern India. “India and Sri Lanka are bound by geography, history and commerce, and that relationship is stronger than ever. There is considerable scope to deepen these ties through greater business engagement and investment. Chennai, with its strong industrial base and entrepreneurial ecosystem, is an important market for this conversation. We hope the forum will help build lasting partnerships between businesses in our two countries and translate shared opportunities into meaningful economic outcomes,” he said.

 

A central theme of the forum was “India's Growth Story, Strengthened: Why Sri Lanka, Why Now”, enabling Indian businesses to extend their capabilities and market reach without moving away from their domestic base. Sri Lanka’s proximity to India, shared time zone, cultural similarities and established commercial and legal institutions offer practical advantages for businesses seeking to serve regional and international markets. Discussions explored opportunities across real estate, product engineering, treasury, data analytics, cybersecurity and business process operations, alongside data centres, technology, AI and other emerging areas. The discussions also examined how investment facilitation and a predictable regulatory environment could support businesses evaluating Sri Lanka as part of their regional expansion strategies.

 

“For investors, the strength of a proposition lies not just in the opportunity it offers, but in the certainty of the framework within which they operate. Port City Colombo has been designed to provide that clarity through a statutory framework and defined investor safeguards. For Indian businesses looking to grow their reach, Sri Lanka offers proximity, familiarity and access to wider regional opportunities. This is about extending business capabilities and reaching new markets as a complementary partner, with the centre of growth remaining in India,” said Mr. Harsha Amarasekera PC, Chairman, Colombo Port City Economic Commission. He further emphasised that Port City Colombo is a project of national importance, operating under the direct purview of the Office of Sri Lanka’s President, H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also serves as the Minister of Finance, underscoring the Government’s interest in the project.

 

Mr. Thulci Aluwihare, Deputy Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo Pvt. Ltd., outlined Port City Colombo’s proposition as an international business and investment destination, highlighting its position as Sri Lanka’s only foreign currency-designated Special Economic Zone. He also detailed the statutory framework underpinning the zone, which includes a single-window approval process, investor safeguards, a stabilisation mechanism, international arbitration provisions, 100% foreign ownership and the ability to transact in 16 foreign currencies, including the Indian rupee.

 

A panel discussion brought together Mr. Madhu Raghunath, CEO, TVS Vehicle Mobility Solutions and Co-Chairman of the CII SR Taskforce on International Business Development; Mr. Robin S, Senior Director and Head – Centre of Excellence, Strategic Consulting and Value & Risk Advisory, India & Sri Lanka, JLL; Mr. Amarasekera; and Mr. Thulci Aluwihare, Deputy Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo, to discuss sectoral opportunities, regulatory facilitation and prospects for business partnerships.

 

Mr. Robin S., Senior Director, Head of Centre of Excellence, Strategic Consulting and Value and Risk Advisory, India and Sri Lanka, JLL, said: “For Indian businesses exploring opportunities beyond the domestic market, geographic proximity, ease of doing business and access to new growth markets are important considerations. A clear regulatory framework and transparent incentive framework give Port City Colombo the ingredients for serious interest from India, and the conversations thus far show that interest is building.”

 

The Investor Forum in Chennai marks an important step in Port City Colombo’s efforts to deepen engagement with the Indian business and investment community. Going forward, continued dialogue will be pursued to further potential cross-border partnerships and unlocking new avenues for investment and collaboration.