1,000 highnetworth Rotarians to gather in Sri Lanka in December for Rotary Institute 2026

Rotary International will convene its Rotary Institute 2026 in December in Colombo, drawing over 1,000 highnetworth members, including District Governors, past Governors, and senior private sector business personalities from South Asia.

The conference will welcome Rotary International World President Yinka Babalola and a galaxy of influential personalities from the hierarchy of the Rotary International team from the US, and other representatives from corporate India, said the Rotary Institute Communique.

“Many of the delegates, who are business leaders arriving from overseas, will be firsttime visitors to Sri Lanka — and [this] is a sizeable opportunity that we must not miss,” said Rotary Institute 2026 Chairperson Gowri Rajan, who was responsible for bringing Rs. 120 million for setting up the first Human Heart Valve Bank in Sri Lanka and gifting it to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH), Health Ministry.

Rajan said central to its agenda is Sri Lanka tourism and investment into the country must be linked to the private sector – tourism and strategic philanthropy.

This signature event of Rotary will be staged at Colombo City Resort property, City of Dreams, Cinnamon Life, and pre-Institute events will be held at Anantara Kalutara.

Organisers have secured 1,400 roomnights for delegates. The program will feature global best practices, stories of heroic deeds will be featured at the three-day highlevel panels, and targeted networking opportunities designed to catalyse philanthropic partnerships, private investment, and sustainable tourism development in Sri Lanka, said the Communique.

The Rotary Institute 2026 was launched in New Delhi last November at the previous institute, which was attended by the Vice President of India and featured a performance by Cinnamon Life Brand Ambassador Yohani.

Rotary’s global network has a long record of addressing complex challenges, from public health initiatives and polio eradication partnerships to community development and health projects implemented by clubs and districts worldwide. The Rotary Institute 2026 in Colombo is expected to leave a durable legacy of partnerships, projects, and strengthened links between Sri Lanka and Rotary’s global network.

The inaugural ceremony will be graced by Chief Guest Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

After 21 years, the Rotary Institute is returning to Sri Lanka, which will be convened by Rotary International Vice President Muruganandam (MMM).

Details of top speakers and partnership opportunities will be announced in the near future, the Communique said.