RIUNIT London forum looks to ‘unlock’ Sri Lanka’s real estate sector
More than 100 investors, diplomats, business leaders and property professionals gathered in London on 16 September for the Sri Lanka Real Estate Investment Forum: London 2026, convened by the Research Intelligence Unit (RIU) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.
Held under the theme “Unlocking Sri Lanka’s Real Estate Investment Potential in a Dynamic and Evolving Market,” the forum brought together public and private sector perspectives on Sri Lanka’s real estate sector, giving international and diaspora investors a platform to engage directly with industry and institutional representatives. International Construction Consortium (ICC) was the platinum sponsor.
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom H.E. Nimal Senadheera opened the forum, underscoring the importance of strengthening economic and investment ties between Sri Lanka and the diaspora and international business community in the UK.
This was followed by presentations from the Sri Lanka High Commission on its role in supporting trade and economic engagement, ICC on Sri Lanka’s real estate and development landscape, and the RIU Property Network on emerging opportunities in the property market and the need to connect investors with credible deals.
Roshan Madawela, Founder and CEO of RIU, then set out how Sri Lanka could unlock its real estate sector in a manner similar to its tourism industry, building a more sustainable platform for domestic and international investment. He placed particular emphasis on Colombo Port City, and the role large-scale, integrated urban development could play in strengthening Sri Lanka’s investment proposition and liveability.
Panel weighs market outlook, Port City’s role
A panel discussion on market trends, opportunities and outlook brought together Namal Pieris, Managing Director/CEO of ICC; Premathilake Jayakody, Head of Trade at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London; and Madawela, moderated by William Rezel, Associate Director of RIU.
The panel discussed the state of Sri Lanka’s real estate market and the conditions facing local and international developers and investors amid shifting global economic and geopolitical conditions, including factors shaping investor sentiment and demand.
Colombo Port City featured prominently, with panellists considering how large-scale, integrated urban development could expand opportunities across residential, commercial and related sectors.
The discussion also turned to the link between trade and real estate investment, with panellists exploring how stronger UK-Sri Lanka trade and commercial ties could widen channels for investment, and the role of diplomatic and trade representation in encouraging greater participation from international and diaspora investors.
Audience questions focused on practical considerations for investing in Sri Lankan property, including the legal and regulatory framework for ownership by foreign nationals and dual citizens, acquisition by non-Sri Lankan investors, and mechanisms for transferring and repatriating funds between Sri Lanka and the UK. The discussion underlined the need for clear regulatory frameworks and accessible information to support cross-border investment.
The formal proceedings were followed by an extended networking session and a raffle draw, with two Cinnamon Air tickets awarded to attendees.
The forum is part of RIU’s broader programme of research-led investor engagement, aimed at bringing market intelligence, industry expertise and international networks together to support informed dialogue on Sri Lanka’s investment opportunities. The event was supported by ICC as main sponsor, with Home Lands and Cinnamon Air as event partners.