– Sri Lanka has declared itself open for investment, highlighting a reformed and stabilized economy with strong growth prospects and a structured pipeline of investment opportunities across multiple sectors. The message was delivered by Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, Acting Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka, at the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Trade, Investment & Tourism Cooperation Forum held on 8 May 2026.

Addressing Vietnamese business leaders and officials, Dr. Jayawardena said Sri Lanka has emerged from one of the most severe economic crises in its post-independence history with renewed macroeconomic stability, restored investor confidence, and a clear strategy for long-term growth. He said the country now offers a compelling case for international investors, particularly from Vietnam and the wider Southeast Asian region, backed by data-driven recovery and policy reforms.He noted that Sri Lanka’s economy has rebounded strongly after contracting by 2.3% in 2023, recording GDP growth of 5.0% in both 2024 and 2025, with a further expansion of around 4.0% projected for 2026. Merchandise exports rose from US$ 11.9 billion in 2023 to US$ 13.6 billion in 2025, with a target of US$ 15.7 billion set for 2026, while tourism earnings climbed to US$ 3.22 billion, supported by more than 2.3 million arrivals in 2025.

Dr. Jayawardena also pointed to a sharp recovery in foreign direct investment, which increased to US$ 1.063 billion in 2025 from US$ 614 million in 2024, with a target of US$ 1.5 billion in 2026. “Sri Lanka has arrested its crisis and is firmly on a growth curve,” he said, emphasising that investor confidence has been steadily restored.Positioning Vietnam as a strategic partner rather than just a trading counterpart, he highlighted the existing imbalance in bilateral trade as an opportunity for expansion. Sri Lanka exports around US$ 40 million worth of goods annually to Vietnam, mainly apparel, tea, seafood, gemstones, and footwear, while importing approximately US$ 238 million in textiles, machinery, iron and steel, and plastics.