🇱🇰 Invest Sri Lanka Investor Forum Sydney Draws Foreign & Diaspora Capital 📈

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) hosted the "Invest Sri Lanka" Investor Forum on 17 August 2026 in Sydney to showcase the island's economic recovery and pitch capital market growth to foreign fund managers and the Sri Lankan diaspora. • Key Highlights & Credit Outlook: - Credit Ratings: Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe noted all three major international agencies rate Sri Lanka at CCC, with a clear pathway toward an upgrade to B- as macroeconomic confidence improves. - Regional Advantage: Sri Lanka is positioning itself as an "India Plus One" platform for logistics, services, and manufacturing. - Foreign Investment Account (IIA): HNB confirmed Inward Investment Accounts (IIA) for overseas investors now process within 2 to 3 working days via streamlined documentation. - Port City Colombo: Allows investment in foreign currencies (e.g., AUD) with relaxed capital account regulations for cross-border capital flow. • Structural Reforms & Investment Avenues: - Focus on SOE restructuring, fiscal discipline, institutional reforms, and digital transformation. - Key opportunities emphasized in brownfield projects, venture capital, and broader capital market participation across South Asia. - Part of an ongoing Australian roadshow series running from 17–20 August 2026.