Sri Lanka Expo 2027 event management has been awarded to the partnership between Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services Ltd. (LECS) and Aitken Spence Travels Ltd. (ASTL) following Cabinet approval for a contract valued at Rs. 178.71 million, inclusive of VAT.
Sri Lanka Expo 2027 event management awarded to LECS–ASTL partnership for Rs. 178.7m
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal to appoint the LECS–ASTL partnership as the official event management company for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 after a competitive procurement process. The contract, valued at Rs. 178.71 million including VAT, covers the planning and management of the international exhibition scheduled to take place from 14 to 17 January 2027.
Sri Lanka Expo 2027 was approved by the Cabinet on 27 April 2026 and is expected to serve as a major international business exhibition aimed at promoting Sri Lanka’s industries, exports, investment opportunities, and commercial partnerships. The event is anticipated to attract local and international exhibitors, investors, trade representatives, and business leaders seeking to explore opportunities in the country’s growing export sectors.
Announcing the decision at the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said quotations had been invited to appoint an event management company for the exhibition. Three bids were received through the procurement process.
Following a comprehensive evaluation, the Advisory Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet recommended the LECS ASTL partnership as the substantially responsive bidder. Based on that recommendation, the proposal submitted by Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi received Cabinet approval.
The appointment places responsibility on the partnership to deliver the operational and logistical requirements of one of Sri Lanka’s largest planned international trade exhibitions. Event management responsibilities are expected to include venue coordination, exhibitor management, visitor experience, branding, conference facilities, technical operations, and overall execution of the exhibition.
The collaboration combines the expertise of Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services Ltd., which has extensive experience in organising exhibitions, conferences, and large-scale trade events, with the destination management and tourism capabilities of Aitken Spence Travels Ltd. Together, the two companies are expected to provide integrated event management services that meet international standards.
The Sri Lanka Expo 2027 exhibition is expected to play an important role in promoting the country’s export industries while strengthening its profile as a destination for international trade and investment. The event is also likely to provide local manufacturers, exporters, entrepreneurs, and service providers with opportunities to showcase their products and establish new commercial relationships with overseas buyers.
Government authorities have increasingly positioned international exhibitions as platforms to support export growth, attract foreign investment, and encourage innovation across key industries. Events such as Sri Lanka Expo provide businesses with direct access to international markets while creating networking opportunities between government institutions, private sector organisations, and global investors.
The awarding of the Sri Lanka Expo 2027 event management contract also reflects the government’s emphasis on transparent procurement procedures. The selection process involved open quotations, competitive bidding, and evaluation by the Cabinet-appointed Advisory Procurement Committee before the final recommendation was endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers.
With preparations now set to move forward, organisers will begin detailed planning to ensure the exhibition is successfully delivered in January 2027. As one of the country’s flagship international business events, the exhibition is expected to showcase Sri Lanka’s export capabilities, industrial strengths, tourism potential, and investment prospects to a global audience.
The appointment of the LECS ASTL partnership provides the organisational framework needed to manage an event of this scale while supporting the government’s broader objective of enhancing Sri Lanka’s international commercial engagement through Sri Lanka Expo 2027.