The Management Club (TMC) of Sri Lanka will host the Northern Investment Summit 2026 (NIS26) on 21 and 22 January 2026 at the Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre in Jaffna under the theme ‘Empowering Growth, Insightful Innovations.’
The summit aims to drive investment and economic growth in northern Sri Lanka. By bringing together Government officials, business leaders, global investors, and academic experts, the event focuses on identifying existing and new opportunities to build a sustainable economy for the region.
In an interview with The Sunday Morning Business, TMC Immediate Past President and NIS26 Project Chairman Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa highlighted the untapped economic potential of the Northern Province and the summit’s role in fast-tracking regional development. He also stressed the need for a special scheme to attract investment in the northern region.
The NIS hopes to attract sustainable investments that uplift communities, strengthen regional competitiveness and job creation, empower northern entrepreneurs through exposure and resources, and institutionalise a northern investment desk for continuous investor facilitation.
The summit’s objectives include showcasing investment-ready projects and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs); encouraging inclusive, technology-driven development; building trust and collaboration among stakeholders; and promoting innovation ecosystems in emerging sectors.
Following are excerpts:
How will the upcoming NIS address the investment potential in the region? Could you walk us through the project’s initiation, progression, and intended outcomes?
The NIS is organised by TMC, an association with a history spanning over 24 years. We maintain branches in Colombo, Mount Lavinia, Moratuwa, Wattala, Negombo, and Jaffna. The Jaffna branch was established during my presidency two years ago and is a dynamic club comprising professors, bank managers, and other senior professionals.
The initiative began following a request from the Branch Chairperson, who suggested that as a professional body, TMC should step in to help fast-track the development of the Northern Province with Government support. I accepted this challenge alongside my committee members and past presidents, who have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.
We have held productive meetings with the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Finance, Board of Investment (BOI), and Export Development Board (EDB). Furthermore, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Small Enterprises Development Division (SEDD), Ministry of Fisheries, and Ministry of Science and Technology have all committed their support in this endeavour as well.
Our official banking partner is HNB and private sector partners include the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE), International Distillers Ltd. (IDL), and the Lions organisation, among others.
The Ministry of Industry especially has provided significant backing through the Minister, Deputy Minister, and Secretary. Furthermore, the Governor of the Northern Province facilitated a meeting with all district secretaries and representatives from various State institutions, including the Industrial Development Board (IDB), National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA), and BOI.
These discussions revealed a great deal of suggestions and data from the district secretaries. In order to ensure we captured everything accurately, we conducted individual visits to each of the districts to meet with the district secretaries and their officials.
Prior to these meetings, we provided a standardised format for data collection, which was followed by eye-opening presentations. Our knowledge partner KPMG is currently consolidating this data into five comprehensive investment proposals that highlight specific opportunities for investment across the five districts.
We are now presenting these vetted opportunities to both local and overseas investors, including Sri Lanka’s expatriate community, many of whom are eager to contribute to the country’s economy. With the Government encouraging investment and the Northern Province being endowed with abundant resources, the region is ready for further investment and development.
We are focusing on four key pillars of development, which are agriculture and fisheries, education and IT, tourism, and energy, alongside cross-sectors like Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) startups. Following the launch, our website is live, registration is open, and many partners have joined us because they recognise the value of this project.
This is the first time a private institution is leading a regional development project. Developing the Northern Province, which currently contributes only 4.5% to the national GDP, will benefit the entire country. Beyond the expat community and foreign investors, we are inviting industrialists from other provinces as well to collaborate and accelerate this growth.
How would you describe the current opportunity landscape in the Northern Province?
The opportunities are vast. For instance, in the fisheries sector, there is significant potential for developing sea cucumber and seaweed farming, as well as broader marine resource management. The Government is keen to move away from wild harvesting towards sustainable aquaculture, and there is a high demand for these products internationally.
Similarly, we see a great deal of growth in the IT sector, with many startups currently based in India looking to expand into Sri Lanka as well. There are also three key major BOI zones coming up in the Northern Province, with the Kankesanthurai (KKS) zone specifically focused on IT. Thus, one of our goals is to position the Northern Province as a regional IT hub – the Silicon Valley of Sri Lanka – within the next five years.
Now that an initial assessment has been completed, what are the key constraints or gaps identified that this project will address?
Our role is that of a facilitator, while the Government remains the implementer. We have communicated to the relevant ministries that infrastructure is the primary priority for the region. As we progress, there is an urgent need to expand logistics, including air, land, and rail transport. We are happy to hear of upcoming development plans regarding the Jaffna International Airport.
Furthermore, we are advocating for an additional railway line specifically for container transport and the establishment of a dedicated logistics centre. While a highway remains a long-term goal, we expect significant improvements within the next five years. Some private companies have already begun setting up logistics centres.
One key reason behind certain investments not taking place in Jaffna is transport-related concerns. Resolving these transport challenges is essential, and if it is possible to streamline logistics, we expect a significant influx of investors from India alone, and from many more regions as well. We are already receiving several inquiries from parties interested in establishing operations in the region.
Looking forward, what policy incentives are required to attract more investment?
A special scheme tailored for the Northern Province would be highly effective and acceptable. There have been inquiries regarding choosing this specific region by investors, and thus, a dedicated package would be ideal, paving the path for more investors to come on board in time to come.
Since the Government faces certain funding limitations for large-scale development, it will be important to focus on PPPs. This is the most viable way to move forward and provide the necessary platform for the private sector to lead growth.
What is the estimated investment pipeline expected to be unlocked in the Northern Province over the next three to five years?
At present, we are looking at great investment potential. Frankly, there is no real limit to the potential here.
We have already received several impressive proposals, including one for creating a smart Jaffna City, larger than Port City Colombo, as well as plans for IT parks, marine-related projects, and many others yet to come. Since this is the early stage, we will be able to see much more in time to come as the interest is substantial and continues to grow.
You mentioned four key pillars. Which of the categories you mentioned is the most investment-ready?
All sectors are ready for engagement. Once the proposals are finalised on our website, the specific opportunities will be clear. Agriculture and fisheries are perhaps the most lucrative because they remain largely untapped, and thus, the opportunities are vast.
This readiness in the region is a gold mine of opportunity for many sectors. This is why the forum aims to highlight the investment potential in these sectors, many of which have not previously received the attention they deserve.
Inquiries to invest are already flowing in and the forum intends to connect investors with the relevant stakeholders. Thus, the request to the Government is to introduce a special scheme to boost investor interest, initiate momentum, and facilitate these ventures.
We invite the Sri Lankan and international communities to come and invest in the Northern Province, which offers lucrative opportunities across sectors. We also invite all interested stakeholders to this event, including local investors, regional businessmen and industrialists, the expat community and their networks, and international investors, to collaborate on accelerating the region’s development.
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Email: tmc.srilanka@gmail.com