CAPITAL TRUST PROPERTIES
Capital Trust’s Minoli Wickramasinghe champions Sri Lanka’s real estate revival on global stage
Colombo, Sri Lanka – 26 August: Minoli Wickramasinghe, Managing Director of Capital Trust Properties, recently represented Sri Lanka at two major international real estate forums in Singapore, spotlighting the nation’s evolving investment landscape and resurgence as a regional property destination.
At the APAC Forum 2025, hosted by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) under the theme “Connecting Beyond Borders”, Wickramasinghe took centre stage in July 2025 at Shangri-La Singapore. In a high-level Q&A session with regional investors and industry leaders, she offered a candid and data-driven overview of Sri Lanka’s post-crisis property market, tracing its recovery from the 2022 economic collapse to a cautious resurgence in 2025 under the guidance of the IMF’s USD 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility.
Citing Central Bank data, Wickramasinghe explained that Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic stabilization, supported by currency recovery and interest rate easing, had led to distinct shifts across property segments. Land prices in the Colombo District surged by 23% year-on-year in Q3 2024, reflecting renewed demand and investor interest. In contrast, house prices saw only a mild recovery, while condominium prices, after peaking in 2023, began to cool, with year-on-year growth slowing to just 1.2% by Q4 2024.
“The sharp price inflation we saw post-crisis has settled, giving way to a more sustainable, investor-friendly market,” she noted. “FDI is returning with Q1 2025 alone seeing $203 million in realized investments, 41% of which were in Port City Colombo. This tells us investor confidence is rebuilding.”
Wickramasinghe also shed light on trends in expatriate demand, construction recovery, and the growing appeal of hybrid, green, and integrated real estate developments. She emphasized the resilience of the Colombo luxury segment, with premium condominiums continuing to attract both foreign and local high-net-worth buyers.
Her insights extended into legal and comparative analysis, positioning Sri Lanka as a uniquely open market in the region. “Unlike Thailand or Vietnam, Sri Lanka allows 100% foreign ownership of condominium units with no quota limits, making us a compelling option for cross-border investors looking for long-term value,” said Wickramasinghe.
Following the Forum, Wickramasinghe joined the global property expo 2025, held from July 18–20 at Marina Bay Sands. Co-hosted by JLL and LeadingRE, the event drew global attention for its investor-focused panels. On July 19, she participated in “Residential Investment 101: A Beginner’s Guide,” alongside JLL’s Joel Kwok and InteRealtor’s Sam Kam, moderated by Jennifer Chia of TSMP Law.
The session demystified key aspects of international property investment, from selecting markets and financing models to navigating legal systems. Wickramasinghe provided perspective on emerging market opportunities, highlighting Sri Lanka’s affordable luxury offerings, lack of annual property taxes, and the advantages of buying pre-completion units in Colombo’s expanding skyline.
“Whether you’re a first-time investor or a regional fund, understanding legal transparency, remittance policies, and urban development trajectories is critical. Sri Lanka is becoming a more predictable and policy-stable market, especially for condominium investment,” she stated during the session.
With a growing global interest in Port City Colombo and demand for self-contained ‘urban villages’ from returning expatriates, Wickramasinghe stressed that the window for first-mover advantages is open, but narrowing. “Our fundamentals are strong, and our regulations are open. What we need now is sustained engagement from both local developers and international partners.”
As one of Sri Lanka’s leading voices in property investment, Wickramasinghe’s presence at both events reaffirms Capital Trust Properties’ commitment to engaging global markets and connecting investors with high-potential opportunities in Sri Lanka’s real estate sector.
