Ms. Kishani Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai along with (From Left to Right) Mr. Santosh Kotre, Director, Finance and Accounts, World Trade Centre, Mumbai; Ms. Priya Pansare, Director, Trade and Investment Promotion, World Trade Centre, Mumbai; Ms. Shirani Ariyarathne, Consul (Commercial), Sri Lankan Consulate in Mumbai; Ms. Sangeeta Jain, Senior Director, All India Association of Industries;, and Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries at the Breakfast Roundtable meeting with Sri Lankan Delegation at World Trade Centre, Mumbai
The World Trade Centre (WTC) Mumbai and the All India Association of Industries (AIAI) held a high-level roundtable on November 28, bringing together Indian business leaders and a Sri Lankan delegation to strengthen bilateral trade and investment collaboration.
Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Mumbai, Ms Kishani Priyanga Wickramasinghe, emphasised that deeper India–Sri Lanka engagement could help double trade and investment in the coming years. She noted growing participation from Indian companies in Sri Lanka, particularly in infrastructure, tourism, and services.
Bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries has crossed USD 5 billion in recent years. Ms Wickramasinghe highlighted significant untapped potential in services such as tourism, education, healthcare, logistics, and professional services. She added that the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) continues to prioritise India for trade missions and market development.
Sri Lanka is preparing to host major events in the coming year, including a boat and maritime show and Sri Lanka Expo 2026, returning after 13 years. The Consul General invited Indian companies to participate to further strengthen commercial ties.
Ms Kumudini Irugalbandara from the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) noted that this was the Board’s first representation at WTC Mumbai. She said Sri Lanka now exports more than 25 major product categories, along with specialised segments. Under its strategic plan, the EDB aims to increase export earnings to around USD 6 billion in the coming years by focusing on talent and innovation.
WTC Mumbai Chairman and All India Association of Industries President Dr Vijay Kalantri stressed the historical and cultural ties between the two countries and said Sri Lanka’s current economic stability presents new opportunities for cooperation. He recalled WTC Mumbai’s role during the signing of the India–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and suggested renewed momentum through sector-specific collaboration in areas like tea, coffee, and religious tourism.
He also proposed annual “Make in Sri Lanka” events in Mumbai and “Make in India” events in Colombo to strengthen business engagement, including B2B, B2C, and B2G interactions.
Sri Lanka’s Consul (Commercial), Ms Shirani Ariyarathne, highlighted policy measures that support investment, including the acceptance of both US Dollar and Indian Rupee inflows, sector-wise incentives, and a one-stop facilitation council for ease of doing business.
The Sri Lankan delegation included companies from construction, engineering, infrastructure consultancy, and manufacturing. More than 150 Indian business leaders attended the event to explore new opportunities in trade, investment, and services.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman of WTC Mumbai. Ms Priya Pansare, Director of Trade and Investment Promotion, and Ms Sangeeta Jain, Senior Director at AIAI, also interacted with the visiting delegation.