FINANCIAL CHRONICLE — Sri Lanka is set to inaugurate the National Business Facilitation Center on September 22, aimed at addressing bureaucratic challenges and supporting investors, according to officials.
Situated on Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha in Colombo 7, this center will function under a National Steering Committee led by the Secretary to the President, which includes various ministry secretaries and heads of agencies. Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Seevali Arukgoda, shared this information with the private media outlet Ada Derana.
The center will operate in two phases. The initial phase will focus on resolving everyday regulatory, legal, and policy challenges that entrepreneurs encounter when interacting with government entities.
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“If any individual faces difficulties while starting a business, they can bring their concerns to us. We will investigate the issue, communicate with the appropriate institutions, and strive to find a resolution,” Arukgoda stated.
Entrepreneurs will have the option to report their issues via a dedicated webpage on the Presidential Secretariat’s site, allowing the center to engage with the relevant institutions or refer legal and policy obstacles to the steering committee.
In the second phase, the center intends to provide comprehensive support through a single-window model for those with financial resources but lacking a well-defined business plan.
Committees comprised of economic experts will assist in creating proposals and facilitating arrangements for land, utilities like water and electricity, and necessary permits all in one location.
Senior Assistant Secretary to the President, Dasun Rajapaksha, noted that state agencies often do not prioritize investor requests alongside their routine responsibilities, resulting in delays that can discourage potential investors.
“Our goal with this initiative is to streamline coordination among all institutions that an investor must engage with, making this center the central point for resolving all delays,” Rajapaksha explained.
He further mentioned that online digital systems are being developed to enable investors to monitor the real-time status of their applications while the center liaises directly with banks and government authorities. (Colombo/Sep15/2026)
