SRI LANKA CLIMATE SUMMIT 2026 TO SPOTLIGHT CLIMATE READINESS, INVESTMENT AND COMPETITIVENESS
As climate-linked regulations, investor expectations, and financing requirements increasingly influence global trade and market access, the Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2026 will place business readiness at the centre of national conversation, with a high-level line-up of policymakers, international agencies, corporate leaders, and technical experts set to examine what climate preparedness means for Sri Lanka’s economy in practice. Organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Summit will take place on 9 June at the Grand Marquee, Taj Samudra Colombo.
Held under the theme “From Risk to Opportunity: Mainstreaming Climate Action into Sri Lanka’s Growth Story,” the Summit’s agenda will examine the realities of climate preparedness for businesses, industries, and policymakers, with discussions spanning investment readiness, disaster resilience, governance, industry transition, and climate finance.
The Summit will open with a high-level plenary titled “Is Sri Lanka Climate Ready for Investment?” exploring how climate readiness is increasingly influencing investor confidence, trade access, and economic competitiveness. Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Environment, will deliver the keynote address, and join a panel discussion that includes Shannon Cowlin, Country Director for Sri Lanka at the Asian Development Bank, Vimlendra Sharan, UN-FAO Country Representative for Sri Lanka and Maldives, and Dilhan Fernando, Chairman and CEO of Dilmah Tea. The discussion will examine the opportunities and barriers shaping Sri Lanka’s climate investment outlook, and will be moderated by Shiran Fernando, Secretary General and CEO of the Ceylon Chamber.
The conversation will then turn to resilience through “Build Better – Before, During, and Beyond,” a session focused on disaster preparedness and climate-linked disruptions, featuring keynote remarks by Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Climate risk and adaptation specialist Rohan Cooray will join the discussion, moderated by Dr. Lalanath de Silva, Executive Director of Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide.
A second technical session, “Sector Pathways – Where Policy Meets Industry,” will examine how regulation, industry readiness, digitalisation, and finance intersect as Sri Lanka responds to emerging climate obligations. The session will feature keynote remarks by Azusa Kubota, UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, and an address by Dr. Lalanath de Silva, both of whom will then join the panel discussion featuring Secretary to the Ministry of Environment K.R. Uduwawala, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, and Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC. The session will be moderated by Saliya Wickramasuriya, Co-Chair of the Ceylon Chamber Energy Committee.
The private sector response will take centre stage during “Climate in the Boardroom: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage,” which will explore how companies are responding to climate disclosure requirements, sustainability expectations, and business risks while identifying opportunities for long-term competitiveness. The session will feature keynote remarks by Neha Khanna, Associate Director at Climate Policy Initiative, with perspectives from Sabrina Esufally, Managing Director of Hemas Consumer Brands, and Dr. Leonie Vaas, General Manager – Group Sustainability at Hirdaramani Apparel. Yasangi Muditha Randeni, Chief Sustainability Officer and AVP – Corporate Strategy & Sustainability at Aitken Spence PLC, will moderate the discussion.
The Summit will conclude its technical programme with “Unlocking Climate Finance: From Global Funds to Local Projects,” examining how Sri Lanka can better translate international climate funding into bankable, investable local opportunities. Rajesh Miglani, Senior Climate Business Specialist and Climate Anchor for IFC South Asia, will deliver the keynote address, while Dr. Ananda Mallawatantri, Co-Chair of the Climate Action Committee of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, will lead the discussion alongside Punyamali Saparamadu, Senior Vice President – Commercial of the Colombo Stock Exchange, and Shayani Weerasinghe, Sustainable Business Specialist at Expertise France
The Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2026 is expected to attract business leaders, policymakers, development agencies, sustainability professionals, financiers, and technical experts seeking to better understand how climate readiness is reshaping economic opportunity and business competitiveness in Sri Lanka.
