Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who is currently on an official visit to India, met with a delegation of senior representatives from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi yesterday (3) and held extensive discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, and technology.
During the meeting, Premadasa proposed the establishment of a Trade Facilitation Working Group under the India–Sri Lanka Joint Economic Commission aimed at boosting trade and investment flows between the two countries. He also put forward a proposal to develop an India–Sri Lanka Joint Industrial and Technology Trade Zone in Sri Lanka dedicated specifically to Indian industries.
In addition, the Opposition Leader suggested the formation of a Sri Lanka–CII Business Forum to identify priority sectors for partnership, including renewable energy, agro-processing, logistics, tourism, and semiconductors.
Premadasa further extended an invitation to Indian business leaders to expand their operations in Sri Lanka, assuring that steps will be taken to remove obstacles hindering foreign direct investment and that comprehensive facilitation will be provided through multilateral legislative support. Emphasizing Sri Lanka’s ambitions to become a complementary manufacturing and processing hub, he also proposed collaboration under India’s semiconductor initiatives.
Highlighting the importance of inclusive and technology-driven growth, Premadasa underscored that development must remain people-centric and people-led, ensuring the benefits of progress reach all segments of society.
He further noted that India’s growth in manufacturing and technology should not be viewed as a challenge to Sri Lanka, and extended an invitation for future cooperation between the two nations.
