Sri Lanka Becoming Premier Destination for High-End Talent

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is rapidly emerging as a premier destination for high-end global talent, driven by transformative growth in its export sector, Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe announced.

Wijesinghe said the country has reached a historic milestone, with export earnings surging to USD 17.3 billion (2025), the highest in Sri Lanka’s history. This includes USD 13.5 billion in merchandise exports and USD 3.7 billion from the services sector, marking a 6% growth projection for 2025.

“This is not a mere statistic to be read in a report,” he said. “It is a living testament to the sweat, the high‑tech evolutions, and the unwavering grit of every individual in this room.”

He said 2025 marks a fundamental economic shift, as Sri Lanka transitions from being known primarily as a supplier of raw materials to becoming a global hub of value‑added excellence.

“We are proving to the world that we are a premier destination for high‑end talent, from AI‑enabled services and cybersecurity to fintech solutions,” Wijesinghe noted. “This transition is crucial as we shed a traditional goods‑only label and embrace a future where our exports are powered by the minds of youth and the strategic vision of entrepreneurs.”

Wijesinghe highlighted the government’s export diversification strategy, which is designed to de‑risk the economy by expanding Sri Lanka’s product base and market reach through the National Export Development Plan (NEDP).

He outlined the three primary objectives of the plan: Enhancing trade competitiveness, Expanding global and regional market linkages, Promoting sustainable economic growth.

Built upon the previous National Export Strategy implemented between 2018 and 2022, the new plan incorporates lessons learned from earlier phases, while addressing evolving global, regional, and domestic trade dynamics.