AmCham Sri Lanka CEO Forum 2026 calls for reform, resilience and regional collaboration marked a pivotal moment for corporate and policy leadership, as more than 200 executives and policymakers convened to accelerate Sri Lanka’s rebuilding journey.
AmCham Sri Lanka CEO Forum 2026 highlights resilience and regional collaboration
The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka successfully concluded its flagship leadership gathering under the theme “Accelerating Sri Lanka’s Rebuild,” positioning the AmCham Sri Lanka CEO Forum 2026 as one of the country’s most influential platforms for strategic dialogue. The event brought together C-level executives, senior government officials, development partners, and global thought leaders to examine the country’s economic reset through reform, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
Delivering the opening keynote, Jayne Howell, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, underscored the central role of private-sector leadership in Sri Lanka’s recovery. She emphasized expanding strong, fair two-way trade between Sri Lanka and the United States, highlighting opportunities for increased Sri Lankan imports of high-quality American goods, technology, and energy solutions. Growth in trade and logistics—particularly through continued expansion of the Port of Colombo—was identified as a strategic lever to strengthen supply chains, support employment, and drive bilateral economic expansion.
The Forum’s economic focus sharpened during the keynote address by Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, who articulated an ambitious vision of achieving 7% annual growth, doubling the economy within a decade, and progressing toward a Rs. 200 billion economic milestone. Central to this ambition are structural reforms aimed at fiscal consolidation, maintaining inflation near 5%, strengthening governance frameworks, and enhancing regulatory clarity to attract foreign direct investment. Infrastructure upgrades—especially in ports and logistics—were highlighted alongside support for high-value sectors such as IT, pharmaceuticals, and export manufacturing. Accelerating digitisation, formalising segments of the informal economy, and consolidating the banking sector to improve financial resilience were also framed as non-negotiable priorities.
Beyond macroeconomic reform, climate and sustainability considerations formed a core pillar of discussions. The panel titled “The Cost of Climate Change” assessed environmental risks to supply chains, public health, and market competitiveness. Sri Lanka’s target of generating 70% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 was examined against practical challenges such as grid modernisation, battery storage costs, and fuel quality. Speakers called for sustainable financing instruments, transparent ESG reporting, and stronger national governance frameworks to guide the energy transition. Regional collaboration across Asia-Pacific economies was identified as essential to managing shared climate vulnerabilities and unlocking green growth opportunities.
Strengthening the SME ecosystem emerged as a recurring theme throughout the AmCham Sri Lanka CEO Forum 2026. With only 20% of financial sector credit currently accessible to small and medium enterprises, access to capital remains a structural bottleneck. Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe outlined transformative policy initiatives, including the establishment of the Industrial Transformation and Innovation Agency (ITIA) to integrate industrial upgrading with entrepreneurship development. A Rs. 300 million capacity-building investment, the launch of the “Level Up” programme targeting 6,000 SMEs, Rs. 95 million in funding allocation, simplified business registration, and expanded financial literacy programmes were presented as concrete steps to enhance SME competitiveness and crisis resilience.
International engagement was reinforced through insights from Carey Arun of the US Commercial Service in Chennai, who invited Sri Lankan firms to explore opportunities at the SelectUSA Investment Summit near Washington, D.C. The summit offers market-entry support, networking with state-level economic representatives, startup pitching platforms, and investment counselling services. The dialogue underscored that bilateral commercial ties and cross-border investment flows remain critical pillars of Sri Lanka economic reform.
Regional leadership perspectives added another layer to the conversation. April Palmerlee, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia and Chair of AmChams of Asia Pacific, stressed the importance of coordinated advocacy and evidence-based engagement among business leaders in navigating shifting US trade policies and global strategic competition. Aligning policy intent with business impact, she noted, is essential in today’s complex geopolitical and economic landscape.
A fireside chat on inclusive leadership brought social dimensions into sharp focus. Addressing diversity in corporate and national decision-making, speakers highlighted that 77% of Sri Lankan women lack access to leadership training. The discussion moved beyond symbolic representation, calling for systemic reforms to eliminate structural barriers, dismantle entrenched recruitment biases, and foster respectful workplace cultures. Integrating women’s perspectives into leadership frameworks was framed not only as a social imperative but as a strategic advantage for long-term competitiveness.
As Sri Lanka navigates a fragile recovery, the AmCham Sri Lanka CEO Forum 2026 demonstrated how public-private dialogue can translate policy ambition into practical reform pathways. The convergence of fiscal discipline, climate resilience, SME empowerment, and inclusive governance reflects a multidimensional rebuilding strategy. With strong attendance, dynamic exchanges, and positive stakeholder feedback, the Forum reinforced its role as a catalyst for reform, resilience, and regional collaboration at a decisive juncture in Sri Lanka’s economic trajectory.
The event was supported by leading corporate partners, including Hatton National Bank as Title Sponsor, Starlink by Singer as Gold Sponsor, and a range of sector partners contributing to logistics, technology, communications, and engagement.