Ceylon Chamber of Commerce releases Outlook 2025 Report

From left: The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Secretary General and CEO Buwanekabahu Perera, Sri Lanka Banks’ Association Chairman and Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka Managing Director/CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Senior Economist Sanjaya Ariyawansa, and Saumya Amarasiriwardane

From left: Senior Economist Sanjaya Ariyawansa, SAGT CEO Romesh David, Deloitte Sri Lanka and Maldives Head of Strategy Ruvini Fernando, Central Bank Assistant Governor Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara, World Bank Sri Lanka Economist Dr. Shruti Lakhtakia, and Sri Lanka Banks’ Association Chairman and Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka Managing Director/CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently launched its 10th Annual Outlook Report for 2025 at the Economic Review and Outlook 2025 seminar. 

This year’s theme, “Consolidating Stability; Fostering Sustainable Growth”, encapsulates Sri Lanka’s progress toward economic recovery and resilience. The keynote address was delivered by Central Bank Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, highlighting policy directions and economic priorities for 2025.

Organised by the Chamber’s Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU), the report provides a three-part analysis. The first section reviews Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic fundamentals, including growth, inflation, monetary policy, performance of the external, fiscal and the financial sector. The second section offers a detailed review and outlook for ten key sectors: agriculture, tourism, retail, apparel, digital and IT/BPO, energy, logistics and transport, banking and insurance, fisheries, and poultry. The final section presents a forward-looking analysis of global and regional economic trends, emphasising their implications for Sri Lanka’s recovery and growth trajectory.

In his opening remarks, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa underscored the Chamber’s three-pillar strategy — Policy Advocacy, Engagement, and Market Access — which guides its efforts to support the business community and drive economic progress. He highlighted that while the EIU plays a critical role in policy advocacy, this seminar aligns with the ‘Engagement’ pillar by fostering knowledge-sharing and dialogue on Sri Lanka’s economic outlook. Emphasising the importance of leveraging Sri Lanka’s resilience, he stated: “This year’s report not only reflects on challenges but also provides a roadmap for sustainable growth and the reforms essential for long-term stability.”

Presenting the report, Senior Economist Sanjaya Ariyawansa highlighted Sri Lanka’s cautious optimism for 2025. He noted the critical role of structural reforms, stating: “Sustained fiscal discipline, governance improvements, and investments in digital infrastructure are vital to ensuring Sri Lanka’s economic recovery transitions into sustainable growth.”

A distinguished panel discussion followed, moderated by Ariyawansa. Panellists included: Sri Lanka Banks’ Association Chairman and Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka Managing Director/CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri, Central Bank Assistant Governor Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara, World Bank Sri Lanka Economist Dr. Shruti Lakhtakia, Deloitte Sri Lanka and Maldives Head of Strategy Ruvini Fernando, and South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) CEO Romesh David.

The panel provided valuable insights into fiscal and monetary reforms, digital transformation, the investment climate, growth opportunities and challenges, and regional economic trends. 

The seminar concluded with closing remarks from Ariyawansa, who reiterated the Chamber’s commitment to driving policy advocacy and collaboration for economic recovery and sustainable development.

The Outlook 2025 Report is available for e-purchase. Please contact Trent ([email protected]/011 5588868) or Saumya ([email protected]/011 5588883) for more information.