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.