FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – Sri Lanka’s recovery under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme has been deemed a success, though it remains an ongoing journey, according to Martha T. Woldemichael, the IMF’s Resident Representative. Speaking at the Investor Forum 2026 in Colombo, she emphasized the importance of sustained reforms, fiscal credibility, and consistent policies to transform macroeconomic stability into enduring improvements in living standards and to bolster investor confidence.
In her keynote address at the event, Woldemichael discussed Sri Lanka’s economic trajectory, current policy reforms, and medium-term development priorities, stating that “the task ahead is to move from stabilisation to transformation.”
The Investor Forum 2026, held on February 23 at the Cinnamon Life Hotel, convened industry leaders, financial experts, and investors for comprehensive discussions on Sri Lanka’s economic outlook and equity market prospects.
The event featured several prominent figures, including Dihan Dedigama, Director/Chief Executive Officer of Softlogic Stockbrokers, who shared valuable insights. Economist Talal Rafi provided an analysis of Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic outlook and identified key domestic and geopolitical risks.
A panel discussion moderated by Raynal Wickremeratne, Head of Strategy at Softlogic Stockbrokers, included representatives from various sectors such as banking, real estate, insurance, construction, and agriculture/poultry. The panelists were Aroshan Seresinhe (Group Chief Executive Officer, CIC Holdings PLC), Bimal Perera (Chief Growth Officer, Hatton National Bank PLC), Iftikar Ahamed (Managing Director, Softlogic Life Insurance PLC), Mahesh Amarasiri (Chief Financial Officer, ACL Cables PLC), and Premalal Brahmanage (Managing Director, Prime Lands Residencies PLC).
Bimal Perera projected sustained private sector credit growth in 2026, while Premalal Brahmanage noted promising prospects in the real estate sector, anticipating increased demand for apartment projects. Iftikar Ahamed discussed the impact of demographic changes on the insurance industry, which could drive demand for policies over the medium to long term.
Aroshan Seresinghe highlighted the shift towards high-yield fertilizer and efficient agriculture, underscoring CIC’s growth prospects in the export segment, with Samahan and Low GI Rice products gaining traction. Mahesh Amarasiri commented on key trends in construction, including the resumption of residential projects, capacity expansions, and the renewable energy drive, all of which are expected to fuel growth in the cables industry.
The forum concluded with a Q&A session, providing participants the opportunity to address market concerns and gain clarity on economic developments and investment implications.
(Colombo/Feb25/2026)
