Japan urges action to regain investor confidence at SLJBC AGM

■Hirohama Ceylon Director Athulla Edirisinghe elected as new SLJBC President ■Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata stressed need to actively promote Sri Lanka's progress and opportunities in Japan ■Mega infrastructure delivery, resource development, and policy stability outlined as path forward ■Potential free trade zone for Japanese investors under consideration

- BY DIVYA THOTAWATTE

AS Sri Lanka seeks to reposition itself on the global stage, restoring investor confidence will depend on demonstrating reform progress, delivering key infrastructure projects, and unlocking untapped resources, said Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata recently.

He said this during the 46th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka-Japan Business Council (SLJBC), where Hirohama Ceylon Director Athulla Edirisinghe was elected as the Council's 2025/2026 President.

The Ambassador acknowledged one of SLJBC’s key objectives, the promotion of trade and tourism, and the facilitation of investment. Yet, “for the SLJBC to be able to achieve this purpose, what is most important at this juncture is to regain the confidence of Japanese people and Japanese investors in Sri Lanka.”

He explained that due to the setbacks in recent years like the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and the 2022 economic crisis, the Japanese interest in Sri Lanka had “naturally reduced.” However, the current momentum for reforms presented an opportunity to rebuild those ties.

He outlined a path forward focused on transparency, project delivery, and promotion.