The Numbers Behind the Pitch: 5% Growth, $1bn FDI and a 2.3% Deficit Headline Sri Lanka’s London Outreach for EXPO 2027
Photograph: Daily FT.
A new account from Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board (EDB) adds fresh economic figures to the London business outreach held on 21–22 October. At meetings promoting Sri Lanka Expo 2027, officials presented 5% economic growth in both 2024 and 2025, 7.8% growth in the industrial sector in 2025, a Budget deficit of 2.3% of GDP and foreign direct investment (FDI) exceeding US$1 billion in 2025.
The figures were part of the case put to British buyers and investors: Sri Lanka is working to strengthen its recovery and attract new trade and investment partnerships. The London programme, organised by the EDB with the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK, aimed to build interest in Sri Lankan exports and encourage UK participation in Expo 2027.
A two-day programme for UK businesses
The outreach opened on 21 October with a Business and Investment Forum and networking session. Bilateral business meetings followed on 22 October, giving Sri Lankan representatives and UK businesses an opportunity to discuss potential commercial connections.
The EDB account reported around 140 participants, including British buyers, investors and representatives of chambers of commerce, business associations and trade-promotion organisations. The High Commission’s earlier release described attendance as “over 130 participants”. Both accounts indicate strong interest from UK business representatives.
The delegation was led by Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development. It also included Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive of the EDB; and a Board of Investment (BOI) Executive Director. The High Commission’s earlier release named BOI Director Priyanka Samaraweera.
The numbers presented in London
According to the speakers’ remarks reported by the Daily FT, the key figures presented were:
- GDP growth: 5% in 2024 and 5% in 2025
- Industrial sector growth: 7.8% in 2025
- Budget deficit: 2.3% of GDP
- FDI: More than US$1 billion in 2025, an increase of 72%
- Sri Lanka Expo 2027: 14–17 January 2027
These figures describe recent economic performance and were presented as part of the outreach to businesses. They are not, by themselves, forecasts of future growth or guarantees of investment returns.
Illustrative AI-generated image. It does not show the London forum or a specific shipment.
Economic recovery forms part of the investment pitch
Minister Samarasinghe said the economy recorded 5% growth in both 2024 and 2025. He attributed the performance to the resilience of the Sri Lankan people, the determination of the business community and the country’s reform programme.
The Minister also outlined ongoing efforts to improve the regulatory environment, streamline procedures and strengthen coordination between institutions. He said the work aims to improve transparency and efficiency in public service delivery. Issues that matter to businesses assessing how to trade with or invest in a market.
Secretary Jayasundara highlighted the industrial sector’s 7.8% growth in 2025, the Budget deficit of 2.3% of GDP and a declining debt ratio. She also reported that FDI exceeded US$1 billion in 2025, up 72%.
For UK businesses, the figures provide context for discussions about sourcing, market opportunities and investment. The next step is translating interest into practical conversations between buyers, investors and Sri Lankan businesses.
Exports, sourcing and the DCTS
High Commissioner Nimal Senadheera highlighted the longstanding UK–Sri Lanka trade relationship and the opportunities available through the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). The scheme provides preferential market access for eligible exports from eligible developing countries, subject to its product coverage and rules.
The DCTS can be relevant to UK importers considering Sri Lankan suppliers, but eligibility and product requirements matter. Businesses should check the applicable terms for specific goods rather than assume that every product receives the same preference.
EDB Chairman and Chief Executive Mangala Wijesinghe presented Sri Lanka’s export potential in the UK market. He described the country as a competitive sourcing destination, pointing to sustainable manufacturing practices, authentic products and compliance with international quality standards. His Expo 2027 presentation invited UK companies to explore Sri Lankan suppliers and products directly.
Illustrative AI-generated image, not a documentary photograph of the Port of Colombo.
Trade and investment panels connect the discussion to business
The trade panel brought together Secretary Jayasundara, EDB Chairman Wijesinghe and Suraj Wijendra, Head of Finance at Marks & Spencer. Discussion covered Sri Lanka as a responsible sourcing destination, its strategic advantages and the potential value of Expo 2027 for UK buyers.
A separate investment panel included Jayasundara, Aistra Co-Founder and Managing Partner Eric Selvadurai, and the BOI Executive Director. Panellists discussed the investment climate, emerging sectoral opportunities and international collaboration. Participants were encouraged to attend the investment forum planned as part of Expo 2027.
In his vote of thanks, Minister (Commercial) and promotional programme coordinator P. Jayakody invited the participants (including existing and prospective buyers, investors and business-association representatives) to attend the exhibition.
A forum and panel discussion can introduce businesses to new contacts, but commercial partnerships depend on follow-up. Expo 2027 is intended to provide a further opportunity for exporters, manufacturers, service providers and investment-promotion agencies to meet international markets.
Part of a wider season of UK–Sri Lanka business engagement
The new EDB account complements eLanka’s earlier coverage of the High Commission’s London and Dover programme, which reported on the forum, meetings with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) and a Dover engagement organised with RS Rock Holdings.
The outreach also sits alongside other UK–Sri Lanka business stories this autumn. These include Mark Surgenor’s British Chambers of Commerce International President’s Award, recognising a Sri Lankan business leader in the UK, and a separate Canadian initiative reported by CanCham Sri Lanka. That proposed Canada–Sri Lanka–Indo-Pacific corridor is a Canada-focused concept, not a UK–Sri Lanka corridor announcement.
Together, these developments reflect continued efforts to build connections between Sri Lankan businesses and international markets, while highlighting the distinction between proposals, outreach and confirmed commercial commitments.
Sri Lanka Expo 2027: dates and invitation
Sri Lanka Expo 2027 will take place in Colombo from 14 to 17 January 2027. The exhibition is planned as a platform for Sri Lankan exporters, manufacturers, service providers and investment-promotion agencies to connect with international buyers and investors.
UK companies interested in Sri Lanka’s exports or investment opportunities can use the event to meet businesses and explore potential partnerships. For details about participation and arrangements, readers should consult the official Expo and EDB channels as further information becomes available.
Sources
- Daily Mirror: Sri Lanka strengthens UK business ties ahead of Expo 2027
- Ada Derana: related coverage
- Economic Times LK: Sri Lanka targets UK market to boost export earnings through Expo 2027
- Ceylon Digest: The London pitch is over, the export challenge begins
- eLanka: earlier coverage of the High Commission’s London and Dover outreach
Original source: Daily FT, Sri Lanka strengthens UK business ties ahead of Expo 2027