Northern Investment Summit: North to be positioned as an investment hub

Sri Lanka signaled a renewed push to channel investment into the Northern Province with the conclusion of the Northern Investment Summit 2026, as policymakers outlined infrastructure, industrial zone, and connectivity plans aimed at integrating the region more closely into national and global value chains.

Held on 21 and 22 January under the theme Building a Resilient, Inclusive, and Globally Connected Northern Economy, the summit brought together Government officials, local and foreign investors, diaspora representatives, and development partners to assess the North’s readiness for large-scale, long-term investment.

Organisers said the summit marked a shift in how the Northern Province is positioned within the country’s economic strategy, moving from post-conflict recovery toward investment-led growth. The region has a literacy rate of about 93% and a population of roughly 1.3 million, supported by institutions such as the University of Jaffna and the University of Vavuniya.

Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Chairperson Arjuna Herath said the Government’s focus is on building an investment ecosystem aligned with the North’s strengths, with priority given to transport, logistics, and industrial infrastructure. He said improved road connectivity, upgrades to logistics systems, expanded air links, and port development were central to reducing bottlenecks and improving access to domestic and regional markets, particularly India.

Herath also outlined plans to establish three industrial zones to anchor economic activity in the province. Kankasanthurai is expected to function as a mixed industrial zone with a focus on apparel and manufacturing, Paranthan has been designated a chemical zone with initial groundwork underway, and Mankulam is planned as a value-addition hub targeting processed exports in agriculture, dairy, and fisheries.

Source - The Morning