Sri Lanka’s economic outlook brightens with Graphene as the country positions itself at the forefront of global innovation in advanced materials. A recent investment conclave at Kingsbury Colombo highlighted the transformative potential of graphene technology and its ability to attract both local and international investors.
Sri Lanka’s economic outlook brightens with Graphene investment opportunities
The high-level forum, hosted by Ragedara Graphite Mines Chairman Eng. Keerthi Wickramaratne, brought together business leaders, government officials, and industry experts to explore opportunities in Sri Lanka’s graphene sector. Attendees discussed the strategic importance of graphite and graphene in driving technological advancement, supporting national economic growth, and boosting the country’s export capabilities.
Economic Development Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera noted that the event underscored Sri Lanka’s improving economic trajectory. He highlighted the private sector’s role in creating value-added products and accessing niche export markets, reflecting a broader strategy to strengthen both local industries and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). “Sri Lanka has achieved an improved stable economy status as we look towards the year 2025, surpassing our financial expectations this year,” Jayaweera said. “Our primary aim moving forward is to accelerate development and broaden our economy, consolidating FDI while attracting local investments.”
The Deputy Minister also announced three new legislative measures intended to enhance investment opportunities: an Investment Protection Act, an Investment Promotion Act, and a Strategic Development Act. These reforms, alongside a five-year Investment Diversification Plan, aim to provide targeted incentives, including potential tax relief for ventures in the Port City, making Sri Lanka a more competitive hub for high-tech investment.
Eng. Keerthi Wickramaratne emphasised the global recognition of Sri Lankan graphene. “Sri Lankan Graphene has been recognised as the prime quality Conductive Graphene globally, having been tested against other countries at the University of Singapore,” he said. Wickramaratne noted that with the right infrastructure and focus on production, Sri Lanka could supply premium graphene to the world, generating substantial foreign revenue.
He highlighted the economic value of high-grade graphene, currently estimated at 30 times the price of gold, and shared that existing orders come from countries including China, Germany, the USA, Japan, India, Korea, England, and across Europe. Investor interest in entering the Sri Lankan graphene market reflects confidence in the country’s production capabilities and global market potential.
Wickramaratne also stressed that Sri Lanka has a competitive advantage, producing graphene cost-effectively with quality three times higher than global competitors. This positions the country to become a major player in the international graphene market while contributing to broader economic growth.
The conclave reinforced that Sri Lanka’s economic outlook brightens with Graphene not only through export revenues but also by fostering innovation, creating high-value jobs, and establishing the country as a leader in advanced materials. Both government initiatives and private sector expertise are aligned to ensure that Sri Lanka can capitalise on its rich natural resources, technological potential, and favourable policy environment to attract sustained investment in this emerging industry.
As global demand for advanced materials grows, the conclave highlighted that strategic collaboration between investors, policymakers, and local industry leaders could cement Sri Lanka’s position as a reliable supplier of world-class graphene. With infrastructure investments, regulatory support, and high-quality production, the country is well-placed to benefit from this high-value sector and boost its economic competitiveness on the global stage.