Sri Lanka's luxury tourism was promoted at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Asia Pacific 2026, held from 29 June to 2 July 2026 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
ILTM Asia Pacific brings together luxury travel advisors, tour operators, destinations, hotels and tourism organisations from around the world through a programme of pre-scheduled business appointments and networking opportunities.
A dedicated Sri Lanka pavilion showcased the country's diverse tourism experiences, including wildlife, wellness and Ayurveda, cultural heritage, luxury accommodation, adventure tourism, and bespoke travel experiences, positioning Sri Lanka as a premier destination for high-value travellers. During the four-day exhibition, the Sri Lankan delegation conducted a series of business meetings with international luxury travel buyers and industry professionals, generating business opportunities and strengthening partnerships with the global travel trade.
The Sri Lanka Pavilion was organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and headed by Mr Chinthaka Liyanaarachchi, Deputy Director (Marketing). featuring 15 participating companies: Aahaasa Collection – Aarunya Nature Resort, Aadya Tea Bungalows & Aavya Cove Villas; Abercrombie & Kent (Pvt) Ltd; Cuuraate; Sri Lanka Tailor-Made; Karusan Travels (Pvt) Ltd; Ceylon Roots Sri Lanka (LOLC Holdings PLC); Luxury Holidays Asia (Pvt) Ltd; Meshaun Journeys; Sri Lanka in Style; Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort; Ishq Luxury Villas; Transco Travels; Travel Design by CDC (Pvt) Ltd; Hilton Yala Resort; and Resplendent Ceylon.
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore coordinated Sri Lanka's participation and the arrangements for the Sri Lanka Pavilion at ILTM Asia Pacific 2026. During the exhibition, High Commissioner Senarath Dissanayake accompanied by Ms. Bhagya Abeykoon, Minister Counsellor (Commercial), visited the Sri Lanka pavilion and met with the participating companies conveying appreciation for their exhibitors' efforts in promoting Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and encouraging them to leverage the Singapore market to forge new business partnerships and enhance Sri Lanka’s visibility as a premier luxury travel destination.
The 4th Meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade, Investment and the Auto Sector between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was held virtually on 1 July 2026, under the framework of the Pakistan–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA). The meeting brought together senior officials from both countries to review progress on bilateral trade and investment matters.
The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwewa, Director General of Commerce, Department of Commerce, while the Pakistani delegation was led by Dr. Muhammad Adnan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In his opening remarks, the Director General of Commerce underscored the importance of translating high-level commitments into concrete outcomes and reaffirmed Sri Lanka's commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties with Pakistan. Dr. Adnan, in his opening statement, echoed similar sentiments on behalf of the Pakistani side.
The Sri Lankan side raised a range of trade and investment issues, including the long-pending request for a compensatory arrangement in respect of the unilateral inclusion of auto and non-auto sector tariff lines in Pakistan's Negative List, and the continued application of Regulatory Duties on Sri Lankan export products. Discussions also covered cooperation in trade promotion, including Sri Lanka's upcoming Sri Lanka Expo 2027, as well as proposals for capacity building and technical assistance in the pharmaceutical sector, facilitation of phytosanitary approvals for Sri Lankan fresh fruit exports such as pineapple and avocado, and avenues to enhance Pakistani investment into Sri Lanka through the Board of Investment and the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development.
The Pakistani side, in turn, raised a number of proposals and issues for Sri Lanka's consideration, including the inclusion of a dedicated Services Chapter under the PSFTA; enhancement of the Basmati rice quota ,the nomination of a Nodal Chamber for an effective Dispute Settlement Mechanism under the PSFTA; the removal of para tariffs and non-tariff measures adversely affecting bilateral trade, cooperation in technology up-gradation in handloom textile design and weaving; enhanced trade cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, including a proposed Memorandum of Understanding on the procurement of pharmaceutical products; and the establishment of a Bilateral Trade Helpdesk between Trade Promotion Organizations of two countries.
The 4th Meeting concluded on a positive and forward-looking note, with both delegations expressing satisfaction with the discussions held. Sri Lanka and Pakistan reaffirmed the enduring strength of their bilateral relationship and their intent to translate the meeting's deliberations into tangible outcomes, further consolidating the longstanding friendship and economic partnership between the two nations.
