The Colombo Chamber of Commerce hails the recent official visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India, describing it as an important step in strengthening bilateral relations and introducing innovative approaches to progress in Sri Lanka’s economic and social development.

As Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner and a key player in the regional geopolitical landscape, India was a fitting choice for President Dissanayake’s first foreign visit.

A major highlight of the visit was India’s pledge to support Sri Lanka in building a digital economy, a transformative step for national progress. The Colombo Chamber of Commerce sees this as an important opportunity for Sri Lanka to emulate India’s successful digital economy model, which has enabled even small scale entrepreneurs to migrate to digital financial platforms.

The Chamber welcomes India’s support in sectors such as energy, agriculture and social security, recognizing that these investments are essential to drive sustainable growth across Sri Lanka.

Another important topic under discussion was the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Chamber believes that the renewed dialogue on the Free Trade Agreement will further strengthen the economic cooperation between the two countries and create avenues for improved trade opportunities and mutual benefits.