Japan envoy urges Sri Lanka to look East, warns against missing Japan FDI opportunity again

Sri Lanka should adopt an export-oriented industrial model and look towards Southeast Asia and Japan for economic partnership, Japan’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata said, addressing the 47th AGM of the Sri Lanka – Japan Business Council (SLJBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Isomata, who is also Patron of the Council, outlined three priorities for deepening bilateral economic ties: an effective and forward-looking trade and investment policy, promotion of domestic industrial policy, and expanded investment in renewable energy.

He said Sri Lanka’s ongoing review of its Free Trade Agreement policy will be key to shaping the country’s future negotiating position.

Isomata welcomed the Government’s National Export Development Plan 2026 and National Mineral Policy 2026, saying they align with Japan’s vision of linking Sri Lanka’s export manufacturing sectors with India’s high-growth manufacturing base.

SLJBC President Athulla R F Edirisinghe, in his address, reflected on nearly seven decades of Japanese humanitarian and development assistance to Sri Lanka and paid tribute to Sasakawa Peace Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa for establishing the Foundation.

Edirisinghe noted that Sri Lanka has missed several opportunities to attract Japanese investment since the 1970s, when Japanese FDI began flowing into the region.

He pointed to the 2025 proposal by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for a Sri Lanka – Japan Economic Corridor, and called on local businesses, industry associations and the wider community to engage with the Government to ensure the country does not miss this opportunity as well.

The SLJBC’s 2026/27 committee is as follows:

President – Athulla R F Edirisinghe, Director, Hirohama Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd
Senior Vice President – Ruwan Waidyaratne, Managing Director, Hayleys Advantis Ltd
Vice President – Shamil Mendis, Managing Director, Spear International (Pvt) Ltd
Treasurer – Rohitha Mendis, Managing Director, Prudential Shipping Lines (Pte) Ltd
Immediate Past President – Mahen Kariyawasan, Managing Director, Andrew The Travel Company (Pvt) Ltd

Committee representatives are drawn from Amano Lanka Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, BOV Capital (Pvt) Ltd, Brandix Apparel (Pvt) Ltd, Heritage Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Kalhari Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, Lanka Harness (Pvt) Ltd, Dentsu Grant (Pvt) Ltd, MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, and Vidullanka PLC, with HVA Foods PLC (a George Steuart & Co subsidiary), Spillburg Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, and Vaughan Chemicals (Pvt) Ltd attending by invitation.

The SLJBC promotes trade, tourism and investment between Sri Lanka and Japan. Membership inquiries can be directed to Kiyara at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce via email at businesscouncils1@chamber.lk or by phone at 011 5588875 / 5588800.