Courtesy Visit to the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto – Meeting with Ms. Yasoji Gunawardana, Minister Counsellor (Commerce)
A meeting was held on the 30th of October 2025 with Ms. Yasoji Gunawardana, Minister Counsellor (Commerce), at the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto. The purpose of the meeting was to pay a courtesy visit and officially kick off the Trade and Investment Promotion Mission 2025. The meeting was attended by Mr. Mohomad Hameez, President of the Sri Lanka-Canada Business Council (SLCBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, along with Mr. Priyantha Chandrasekhar, Immediate Past President, Mr. Kula Selladurai, President of the Canada-Sri Lanka Business Convention (CSLCB), Mr. Elanko Rathnasabapathy, Executive Director of the Canada-Sri Lanka Business Convention, and the Council Secretariat.
During the discussion, the SLCBC emphasized the potential opportunities seen in the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sector, AgriTech partnerships, and medical tourism between Sri Lanka and Canada. Ms. Gunawardana noted the important role played by the Toronto Consulate in generating business leads and facilitating trade connections. It was also observed that Canada is increasingly looking towards Asia for collaboration opportunities, with particular interest in the “Asia’s Emerging Expo” initiative and expanding engagement across the Pacific region. The delegation further highlighted Sri Lanka’s advantages as an attractive Asian business hub, offering a cost-effective and highly skilled labor force.
The discussion also centered around the Sri Lankan diaspora in Canada, whose remittances continue to be a vital source of revenue for Sri Lanka. Ms. Gunawardana mentioned that there is a strong interest among members of the diaspora to invest in or return to Sri Lanka; however, many are not fully aware of the necessary procedures or available facilitation programs such as the Golden Visa.
The SLCBC will undertake to formulate a formal proposal to be presented to the relevant Minister and key institutions to address the above situation with the support of all stakeholders.
As a key outcome, participants agreed on the importance of organizing an Investment Forum in Sri Lanka targeting the Sri Lankan diaspora in Canada. The proposed forum would serve to promote trade, investment, and tourism opportunities while also encouraging stronger engagement between the diaspora and Sri Lanka’s private sector. Additionally, it was agreed to develop a joint proposal between the SLCBC and the CSLCB, outlining practical strategies and incentives to encourage the Sri Lankan diaspora to invest in Sri Lanka. This proposal will aim to identify key sectors of interest, potential investment models, and facilitation mechanisms to support diaspora-led initiatives.
The meeting concluded with an understanding that the Sri Lanka-Canada Business Council and the Canada-Sri Lanka Business Convention will collaborate closely with the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto to develop a structured framework for these initiatives and enhance overall investor facilitation.
