📈 Forum Focus: Reconnecting Sri Lanka to Global Markets

• National Strategy: Industry leaders and experts at the "Taking Sri Lanka to the World" forum highlighted that Sri Lanka's economic transformation depends on strong institutions, policy consistency, and a unified foreign policy rather than relying solely on its geographic location. • Foreign Policy & Trade: Prof. Patrick Mendis proposed the "Mahaweli Doctrine" to link foreign policy with commerce, agriculture, ICT/BPM, and tourism, advocating for a "multi-alignment" strategy with major powers including the US, China, India, and ASEAN. • Investment & FDI: Panelists emphasized creating an authentic national brand to attract foreign direct investment. Focus must shift from tax incentives to improving execution, logistics, labor reforms, and celebrating reinvestment from existing global investors. • Key Services Sector: Port City Economic Commission Chairman Harsha Amarasekera positioned Colombo Port City as a special economic zone designed to integrate Sri Lanka into global services, finance, and knowledge-intensive industries via a multi-currency framework. • Strategic Communications: PRASL President Nimal Gunawardena noted that strategic public relations must align public understanding with major national initiatives like digital transformation and energy transitions.