Sri Lanka High Commission in London reaches out to SMEs – Sri Lankan Businesses in the UK
As a new initiative aiming to reach out to potential Sri Lankan SME entrepreneurs living in the UK who are operating their business as startups, a promotional event tilted “Sri Lanka Business Promotion Dialogue” was organised on 31.01.2025 by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London jointly with NLC Consultants-UK. Delivering the opening remarks, Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwewa, Minister (Commercial) of the High Commission explained the goals to be achieved from the series of events which are to develop businesses involved by the Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in the UK, to promote and create an international market for Sri Lankan origin products in the UK, and also to enhance the related employability for Sri Lankans in the UK etc,.
Mr. Mahadiulwewa also mentioned that this is the 1st event organised of this nature organised by the High Commission and it will continue to hold several similar events in the other regions in the UK. He also mentioned that after organising such a series of events, it is expected in the end to set up a dedicated SME Entrepreneurs’ Hub at the High Commission in line with the vision of the new government and guidance from the Foreign Affairs and the other related Ministries in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Ranganath Abeykoonge, a Fellow Chartered Accountant, and Managing Director of Sonic Builders in London, was invited to share his business experience among the participants. Mr. Abeykoonge who has also working experience at many UK companies including at TK Maxx, delivered a presentation on the success story of his own company while encouraging, particularly young Sri Lankans to enter into and grab any business opportunities in the UK while creating new job opportunities to fellow Sri Lankans. Mr. Thilak Dharmarathne, Sri Lanka AAT Council past member and an MBA holder, and the Director of NLC Consultants-UK, delivered an address and presentation on how to develop and penetrate into new business opportunities etc.
During the panel discussion headed by Mr. Mahadiulwewa, the panelist Ms. Nayana Kularathne, a Chartered Accountant, answered questions relating to keeping company accounts and tax files etc, while the other panelists Mr. Heshan Mathugamage, a Sri Lankan lawyer and the Director of NLC Consultants- UK answered the questions on company business startup, Mr. Mohamed Sameen, an UK Solicitor attended on legal process related questions and finally Mr . Kosaka Perera, an HR Consultant answered the questions related to the UK’s HR and employment policies etc.
During the panel discussion , Mr. Mahadiulwewa also shared the details on the duty free opportunities available for Sri Lankan exporters under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) to enter the UK market, a facility formally announced by the UK authorities on 19.6.2023. He also shared briefly the UK’s regulations on the requirements of product labelling, food and other product standards etc, for the benefits of potential participants. A brief list of the existing and potential export items from Sri Lanka to the UK and the details for investment and tourism related opportunities available in Sri Lanka were briefly presented by Mr. Mahadiulwewa during the Q&A session.
This first interactive dialogue was participated by 30 potential Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in the UK. The dialogue was carried out in all 3 languages in Sinhala, Tamil and English, and the next dialogue would be held in Manchester in the month of April 2025.
