Plans to Empower Women Entrepreneurs through Digital Transformation…
A ‘Training of Trainers’ program focused on empowering women entrepreneurs through digital transformation was held in Colombo, under the leadership of Mrs Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development organised this three-day programme in collaboration with the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for ICT for Development (APCICT), which provided specialised training to 50 selected active trainers in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector. The objective of this programme was to equip women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the digital economy. The programme focused on data collection, data analysis, e-commerce, digital marketing, and artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking on this occasion, Mrs Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, said that digital transformation is essential to developing the women-led micro, small, and medium-scale enterprise (MSME) sector, which contributes significantly to Sri Lanka’s national economy. She emphasised that for the full potential of this sector, it is necessary to foster enterprises that are productive, innovative, competitive, and sustainable. Furthermore, she noted that the Ministry of Industry aims to establish a robust and sustainable network of skilled trainers capable of empowering these entrepreneurs. Resource contributions for this three-day workshop were provided by Nuankae Wongthawatchai (Programme Management Officer, UN APCICT), Irene Boey (Founder of Irene AI Training & Consulting; Consultant and Resource Expert for UN APCICT), Koh Yoet Siang (AI, Digital Marketing & E-commerce Trainer), and Maria Juanita Macapagal (Social Development Consultant) from the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for ICT for Development (UN APCICT). Mr Suranga Gunaratne, Director General of the National Productivity Secretariat; M.S.M. Safraz, Director of the Public Enterprises Division at the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Deputy Director Nishan Chamara; as well as other officials from the Ministry, the National Productivity Secretariat, and the Small Business Development Division participated in this workshop.
Traditional Handicrafts Exhibition Held Alongside Ceylon Craft Week 2026
National Crafts Council, which operates under the purview of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, held a traditional handicrafts exhibition simultaneously with the “Ceylon Craft Week 2026” promotional program, recently at the J.D.A. Perera Art Gallery of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, with the objective of promoting the country’s traditional handicraft sector at both national and international levels. This handicrafts exhibition showcased innovations developed by artisans and university students through research to enhance the handicrafts sector. Mrs. Subhadra Walpola, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Dr Ayesha Wickramasinghe, Chairman of the National Craft Council, Prof. Satsara Ilangasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Visual Arts, Colombo University of Visual and Performing Arts, and a large number of university lecturers, students and artisans participated in the opening ceremony of this exhibition.
Sri Lanka EXPO 2027
Sri Lanka Expo 2027 Step into the future of international commerce at Sri Lanka Expo 2027 the country’s premier global trade exhibition and a powerful meeting point for international buyers, investors, and industry leaders. With Sri Lanka strategically positioned at the crossroads of major global trade routes, this four-day mega event highlights the nation’s export excellence, innovation, and investment potential across agriculture, industry, and services. Expo at a Glance • 750+ Exhibitors • 2,000+ International Buyers • 50+ Participating Countries • 04 Days of Global Opportunities Why Attend Sri Lanka Expo 2027? Organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sri Lanka Expo 2027 is designed to reposition the country as a preferred trade, investment, and tourism destination in Asia. Building on the success of previous expos, the 2027 edition showcases Sri Lanka’s resilience, competitiveness, and readiness to engage global markets while fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable economic growth. Discover Business Opportunities Experience the best of Sri Lanka’s export ecosystem in a dynamic, curated environment designed for meaningful connections and strategic sourcing. Connect with 750+ Elite Exhibitors Representing 24 specialized sectors across Industrial, Agricultural, and Service industries. Explore 5 Curated Thematic Pavilions Including: • Sustainability and Green Solutions • Culture, Heritage and Craftsmanship • Innovation & Technology • Future Export Leaders • Global Partnerships Engage in 5 Parallel Events • Industry-Specific Sessions • Investor Forum • Fashion Shows • Culinary Shows • Cultural Performances Structured B2B Matchmaking Professionally facilitated meetings linking global buyers with pre-verified, export-ready suppliers. Exclusive Buyer Benefits International buyers can access Premium Concessionary Buyer Packages, including: • Discounted airfare • Special hotel rates • Airport transfers & venue shuttles • Visa facilitation • Pre-arranged B2B meetings Event Schedule 14, 15 & 16 Janauary 2027 – Buyer-Only Days Reserved exclusively for international buyers to ensure: • Focused B2B interactions • Priority exhibitor access • Tailored matchmaking • Professional negotiation environment • Transaction support services 17 Janauary 2027 – Open to the Public The final day welcomes the general public, students, and local businesses to explore Sri Lanka’s export capabilities and learn about global trade opportunities. Find Out More Official Website: https://srilankaexpo.lk/ (Source: Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) Official Website.)
The Profood/Propack & Ag-Biz exhibition
The Profood/Propack & Ag-Biz exhibition Sri Lanka’s premier food exhibition, ‘Pro Food – Pro Pack – Ag Biz and Knowledge Hub 2026′ was recently held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, under the patronage of the Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Mr.Sunil Handunnetti, and the Ministry Secretary, Ms.Thilaka Jayasundara. The Sri Lanka Food Processors’ Association organised the “Pro Food – Pro Pack – Ag Biz and Knowledge Hub” exhibition in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. This was the 23rd edition, featuring 450 stalls, including international exhibitors from countries such as China, India, and Germany. The exhibition aims to facilitate both Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) connections. It serves as a premier platform that brings together packaging experts, exporters, retailers, manufacturers, food processors, distributors, entrepreneurs, investors, and consumers. This creates valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and business growth within the food industry. The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development provided a valuable opportunity for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) to showcase their innovations and secure market opportunities through a dedicated SME pavilion at this exhibition, specifically designed for Sri Lanka’s small and medium-scale food processors.
GEM Sri Lanka 2027 Bangkok Launch……
GEM Sri Lanka 2027 Bangkok Launch…… The first official international promotional event for the ‘GEM SRI LANKA 2027’ exhibition, organised by the Ceylon Gem & Jewellery Traders Association (CGJTA), was recently held in Bangkok, Thailand. This exhibition aims to propel Sri Lanka’s renowned gem and jewellery industry into a new global economic era. The event marks a significant milestone in the international recognition of Sri Lanka’s domestic gem industry, and with over 250 international investors, buyers, diplomats, and industry leaders were present. During the event, Mr. Sunil Handunneththi, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, emphasised that the government’s goal is to establish a systematic framework that allows for the achievement of maximum value in the global market by focusing on high-value-added products instead of exporting raw, unprocessed gemstones. Following the successful initiative launched in Bangkok under the theme “The Source. The Production. The Selection.”, all arrangements have been finalised to hold the major “GEM SRI LANKA 2027” gem exhibition at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo from January 7 to 9, 2027.
Poson Festival Celebration ……
Poson Festival Celebration …… The annual Poson Bathi Gee concert, organised by the Ministry’s Welfare Association to celebrate Poson Poya, was recently held at the Ministry Auditorium under the patronage of the Secretary to the Ministry, Mrs Thilaka Jayasundara, with the participation of all Ministry officials. Simultaneously, with the Bathi Gee concert, a special Kadala Dansala (Chickpeas) was also set up for the employees of nearby offices and the general public, with the support of all Ministry officials.
Sri Lanka’s first event calendar unveiled
Sri Lanka’s first event calendar unveiled Sri Lanka recently launched its first-ever event calendar in Colombo, marking a significant development in the event management industry. The event was graced by the presence of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti. The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development has identified the event management sector as one of the emerging industries with an estimated market value of Rs. 60 billion by 2025. To further develop this industry sector and support entrepreneurs in promoting their businesses, the “Sri Lanka Events Calendar” has been prepared by the Event Management Advisory Board, with guidance from the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. This “Sri Lanka Events Calendar” will act as the official guide to leading local and international events taking place in the country, including cultural festivals, sports, high-level meetings and conferences, and exhibitions, in line with the global tourism industry. During the event, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, highlighted that Sri Lanka is naturally positioned to capitalise on various opportunities in the industry due to its geographical location. He emphasised the government’s commitment to maximising contributions by providing the necessary facilities for this sector, which generates significant foreign exchange and numerous indirect employment opportunities. Additionally, Minister Handunnetti mentioned that his ministry aims to establish Sri Lanka as an event management hub by promoting the tourism industry. The Diploma in International Event Management and Marketing was introduced to provide a systematic academic education in the event management industry for individuals already engaged in the industry, as well as for newcomers.
The National 4i Project builds young entrepreneurs to the global market
The National 4i Project builds young entrepreneurs to the global market A special training program for the District Liaison Officers of the National Program for Developing 1,000 Young Entrepreneurs (4I Project) was held at the Colombo Foundation Institute under the patronage of the Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Mrs Thilaka Jayasundara, over three days from June 24, 25 and 26. This training program was conducted for 40 selected officers, including Additional District Secretaries and Assistant District Secretaries, representing all 25 districts of the island. The 4I project, implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development in collaboration with the National Productivity Secretariat, aims to empower 1,000 young small and medium-scale entrepreneurs by improving their knowledge, skills and attitudes to access the global market successfully. The 4I project will also identify and address the barriers and challenges that selected entrepreneurs face in accessing the export market, thereby increasing their production capacity. The pilot project was first implemented in the Gampaha District in 2023, empowering 100 selected young entrepreneurs. Based on the success of the pilot project, the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development plans to empower an additional 1,000 young entrepreneurs through this initiative. The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development expects to implement this 4I project under the direct supervision and coordination of these selected District Liaison Officers, and special training was provided to the District Liaison Officers on strategic planning to build strong leadership for young entrepreneurs. These Liaison Officers were also able to gain field observation experience during this training program, in the factories of entrepreneurs empowered by the pilot project.
National Export Development Plan (NEDP)
A modern multi-purpose building for skill development in the export-oriented garment sector
A modern multi-purpose building for skill development in the export-oriented garment sector The new three-storey multi-purpose building at the Sri Lanka Textile and Apparel Institute (SLITA) in Ratmalana, which operates under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, was recently handed over to students under the patronage of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Mr. Sunil Handunnetti. This new three-storey multipurpose building was constructed to promote higher education and training in the textile and apparel sector. It features modern facilities, including a CAD laboratory with 150 computers, a fully equipped art and fashion studio, a modern auditorium, a library, and various other amenities. This three-story multi-purpose building is designed to create a modern learning environment for children and professionals pursuing careers in the textile and apparel sector. It aims to connect students with the international community by providing opportunities to develop their innovative thinking, creative skills, and professional expertise. Construction of the building began in 2024, and it cost Rs. 520 million. During the event, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, emphasised the importance of the garment sector as a significant source of export revenue for Sri Lanka. He further stated that the government is focused on strengthening the supply chain and enhancing skills within this industry, the necessity for creative innovators in the sector and his ministry’s aim to establish Sri Lanka as an educational hub for international-level garment production.