A Sri Lankan business delegation organised by the Sri Lanka–Canada Business Council (SLCBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Canada–Sri Lanka Business Convention (CSLBC), the Canadian High Commission in Sri Lanka, and the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canada, concluded a trade and investment mission in Canada from 28 October to 14 November 2025.
The delegation represented the agriculture, IT, finance, tourism, education, and investment consultancy sectors, engaging Canadian business and government leaders across Toronto, Quebec, Montreal, Saskatchewan, and Vancouver.
The mission commenced in Toronto with a courtesy call on the Consulate and CSLBC leadership.
Delegates participated in a Business Forum and sectoral sessions that covered tourism, agriculture, IT, education, and women’s entrepreneurship. The proposed Overseas Citizens of Sri Lanka (OCSL) special visa scheme was also discussed.
A networking reception featured the soft launch of “Asia’s Emerging Economies Expo 2026” and a special recognition from the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for the delegation’s contribution.
In Montreal, discussions with the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan business leaders focused on investor facilitation and promoting the upcoming “Gateway to Growth” trade fair.
In Quebec, delegates representing the education sector attended the Quebec Immigration and Integration Fair 2025, engaging with key stakeholders in international education and talent mobility.
Engagements in Saskatchewan highlighted collaboration opportunities in food security, agriculture, and resource development. At the Global Institute for Food Security, SLCBC appointed Dr. Ruben Rajkumar as the Goodwill Ambassador for Saskatchewan, recognising his efforts to strengthen ties with Sri Lanka. Visits to Bioriginal and the University of Saskatchewan revealed promising areas in value-added processing, smart agriculture, post-harvest technology, joint research, and enhanced export capabilities.
The delegation also met Toronto city officials to explore cooperation in venture capital, trade exhibitions, and education partnerships.
Leader of the delegation and President of SLCBC, M.H.K.M. Hameez, said the visit reinforced Canada’s interest in Sri Lanka’s strengths and opened practical avenues for long-term collaboration.
The mission concluded with clear pathways for expanded economic, academic, and research partnerships, including diaspora-led initiatives, innovation projects, and sector-focused cooperation.
Source : Hiru News