Why Is It So Difficult to Invest in Sri Lanka? An Open Forum 5th July 2026

Sri Lanka was in a state of bankruptcy in 2022. People from all walks of life, with no political affiliations, came together in unity to call for systemic change through the Aragalaya movement.

Having travelled a long and difficult path, just four years later, Sri Lanka has narrowly regained its status as an upper-middle-income country. While this is an encouraging milestone, it is only the beginning. What we need now is sustained progress, not complacency, to ensure we maintain this position and continue moving upwards.

To achieve this, both ordinary citizens and economic experts have a responsibility to speak up, share evidence-based ideas, and publish constructive recommendations. By doing so, we can help guide policymakers towards the reforms needed for Sri Lanka's economic revival. With the right policies and the political will to implement them, the country can create an environment that encourages investment, generates employment, and supports sustainable growth.

This discussion focused precisely on these issues. It openly highlighted Sri Lanka's weaknesses, not to criticise for its own sake, but to enable all of us to learn from them and work together towards practical solutions.

https://youtu.be/xbnrGX3nxK8