Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council Hosts 17th AGM and Maldives Business Forum

The Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently concluded its 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) with the participation of High Commissioner of Maldives Masood Imad as Chief Guest. Also present were Sri Lankan High Commissioner Designate to the Maldives M.R. Hassen and John Keells Holdings Leisure Group President Suresh Rajendra, who joined as special guest and guest speaker respectively.

At the AGM, leadership appointments were confirmed for 2025/2026:

• Sanjeewa Perera, Head of Commercial Real Estate Finance for Sri Lanka & Maldives and Head of the Maldives Desk at HSBC, was appointed President.
• Suranga Ratnayake, Vice President/COO of Aitken Spence Travels Ltd., was named Senior Vice President.
• Husnie Rauf, Director/COO of Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services Ltd., was appointed Vice President.

The Executive Committee includes representatives from American Water Systems Ltd., APIIT Lanka Ltd., Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC, MAC Holdings, Marine Transport Services Ltd., Nestlé Lanka PLC, Puritas Ltd., Senok Tad Combine Ltd., Spillburg Holdings Ltd., and United Tractor & Equipment Ltd.

Presidential-Led Maldives Business Forum: Strengthening Ties

Coinciding with the AGM, the Council also spearheaded the Maldives Business Forum in Malé on 30 July 2025 at Hotel Jen. The event was a highlight of President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s official visit to the Maldives, supported by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Acting High Commissioner T.S. Dissanayake, and the High Commission.

The forum gathered over 60 distinguished participants, including:

• President Anura Kumara Disanayake
• Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath (Sri Lanka)
• Economic Development & Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed (Maldives)
• Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam (Maldives)
• High Commissioner Masood Imad (Maldives to Sri Lanka)
• Top 40 Maldivian business leaders, Sri Lankan company representatives, and members of the Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council.

Strategic Dialogue and Investment Outcomes

In his keynote, President Disanayake underscored Sri Lanka’s post-crisis recovery, projecting 5% growth in 2025, supported by:

• Strengthened foreign reserves & controlled inflation
• Political stability after the 2024 parliamentary elections
• Investor-friendly legal reforms

He highlighted investment opportunities in tourism, fisheries, ICT, real estate, and logistics, and invited Maldivian entrepreneurs to partner in Sri Lanka’s growth, calling the Maldives “Sri Lanka’s closest friend and trusted partner.”

Key outcomes included approximately USD 60–70 million in potential investments, covering:

• Three new hotel projects
• A 100-room luxury mountain hotel
• Agricultural land for fruit and vegetable cultivation and export

Importantly, President Disanayake personally addressed investor concerns, pledging a “single-window” approval system to fast-track permits and approvals—leading to swift resolutions and new project greenlights.

Leadership Transition and Future Vision

With Sanjeewa Perera now at the helm, the Council is well-positioned to:

• Strengthen bilateral trade frameworks
• Encourage greater investor engagement
• Elevate Sri Lanka’s economic footprint in the Maldivian market

The 17th AGM and Maldives Business Forum mark a diplomatic and economic milestone, reaffirming the vital partnership between Sri Lanka and the Maldives as the two nations chart a path of shared prosperity.