Port City Expansion: Regulations for 68 Strategic Businesses Head to Parliament

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, to present to Parliament the regulations issued under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021. The cabinet decision, dated August 31, 2026, remains subject to confirmation at the next meeting.

The regulations stem from an earlier Cabinet approval granted on March 30, 2026, which authorized the designation of 68 business entities as Secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance. These designated enterprises operate across key sectors, including Information Technology, consulting services, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), logistics services, infrastructure hybrid/composite business models, general business operations, and other commercial sectors.

Following that decision, the formal orders designating the 68 entities were officially promulgated via Extraordinary Gazette notifications published on April 10, 2026. With Cabinet approval now secured, these regulations will be formally tabled before Parliament for legal compliance and execution.