Lord Sheikh hosted a meeting in the House of Lords titled: ‘Sri Lanka: 2020 and Beyond’.

Lord Sheikh had the pleasure of welcoming Mr Ajith Nivard Cabraal as keynote speaker at the meeting. Mr Cabraal is the Economic Adviser to Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, the Honourable Mahinda Rajapaksa MP. He was also previously the Governor of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank for over nine years and was indeed well-placed to discuss the  opportunities for trade and investment in Sri Lanka for 2020 and beyond. He gave an overview of the current economic and social climate in Sri Lanka and spoke of positive developments in Sri Lanka which have, and will improve the lives of Sri Lankans and will encourage investment in the country.

Lord Sheikh spoke of his friendship with Sri Lanka and the many opportunities Sri Lanka has in terms of: trade, investment, tourism and education. He spoke from personal knowledge he gained from his visits to Sri Lanka and illustrated the good work Sri Lanka has undertaken in efforts to reconcile and rebuild. He also noted that communities within Sri Lanka as well as the diaspora should all get together, unite and be peaceful.

The meeting was also addressed by Her Excellency Manisha Manisha Gunasekera the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka and Mr John Rajan Yorke who is the Chairman of the Conservative Friends of Sri Lanka.

The meeting was well attended by Members of Parliament, Peers, and leaders of industry and the diaspora who all engaged in a Q&A discussion after the speeches were made.