The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta hosted Sri Lanka Connect-2026: Sri Lanka–Indonesia Business & Investment Forum, under the theme “Bridging Markets, Unlocking Growth,” at the JW Marriott Jakarta on 16 October 2026. Organised under the Economic Diplomacy Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, the forum brought together approximately 120 participants, including government officials, business leaders and media representatives from both Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Welcoming the gathering, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Indonesia and ASEAN Sashikala Premawardhane highlighted the importance of further strengthening investment and trade relations between the two countries, drawing attention to the need to explore opportunities in Maritime Infrastructure, Logistics, ICT, Real Estate, Agriculture and Fisheries, Pharmaceutical and Textile Manufacturing, and crucial frontier sectors like Critical Minerals and Energy Exploration. She emphasised that the two countries have a unique opportunity to transform shared history into shared economic prosperity, in a rapidly changing and uncertain global economic landscape.
The event was also graced by the Chairperson of the Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association (APINDO) Shinta Widjaja Kamdani who encouraged the Indonesian business community to deepen engagement with Sri Lanka and explore opportunities for mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
During the forum, the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) was ceremonially exchanged, marking a significant step towards strengthening institutional cooperation and business linkages between the two countries.
The forum featured two panel discussions that explored investment opportunities in both countries, focusing on inbound and outbound investments and the potential for expanding bilateral business partnerships.
The first panel discussion, titled “Sri Lanka- the Best Business Destination in Asia to Grow Your Business,” examined Sri Lanka’s potential as an attractive business and investment destination for Indonesian investors. The discussion highlighted available investment opportunities, the benefits of investing in Sri Lanka and the country's potential to serve as a strategic gateway for regional business expansion. Moderated by the Secretary General of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Shiran Fernando, the panel featured contributions from the Executive Director of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Ganga Palakatiya, the Director of Kalbe International Pte. Ltd. Rudy Santosa Irawan, the Group Managing Director of the CBL Group Sheamalee Wickramasingha, and the Head of Branding and Communications of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission of Sri Lanka Danya Gunawardana.
Setting the tone for the discussion, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment of Sri Lanka Arun Hemachandra delivered the keynote address virtually, inviting Indonesian investors to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and highlighting the importance of closer economic cooperation between the two countries. The Deputy Minister also invited Indonesian companies to participate in Sri Lanka Expo 2027, Sri Lanka's premier trade exhibition being held at the BMICH from 14-17 January.
The second panel discussion, titled “Sri Lanka as an Investor in Indonesia,” commenced with a keynote address delivered virtually by the Deputy Minister for Investment Promotion of Indonesia’s Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming Industry Nurul Ichwan. The panel discussion explored the experiences, opportunities and prospects of Sri Lankan investments in Indonesia. The panellists included the Managing Director of Hayleys Aventura Dr. Wasaba Jayasekara, the Head of the Permanent Committee for Asia Pacific of KADIN Yohanes Lukiman and the Chief Executive Officer of MAS Silueta (Pvt) Ltd Ruwan Keragala. The session was moderated by the CIMA Global Learning Partner Akalangka De Soyza.
Bringing together business leaders, government representatives, regulators and investment facilitators from Sri Lanka and Indonesia, the forum provided a valuable platform to strengthen bilateral investment relations, foster new business partnerships and identify opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation. The event reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to building stronger commercial ties and unlocking new avenues for sustainable growth and mutual prosperity.
18 October 2026
Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta
