Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ), India’s largest integrated transport utility, has announced the commencement of operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) at the Port of Colombo. Developed under a landmark public-private partnership, CWIT is operated by a consortium comprising Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd, Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings PLC, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, under a 35-year Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) agreement.
The CWIT project represents a significant investment of USD 800 million and features a 1,400-metre quay length and 20-metre depth, enabling the terminal to handle approximately 3.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually.
It is the first deep-water terminal in Colombo to be fully automated, designed to enhance cargo handling capabilities, improve vessel turnaround times, and elevate the port’s status as a key transshipment hub in South Asia.
In a joint statement, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani has said, “The commencement of operations at CWIT marks a momentous milestone in regional cooperation between India and Sri Lanka…Not only does this terminal represent the future of trade in the Indian Ocean but its opening is also a proud moment for Sri Lanka, placing it firmly on the global maritime map.”
John Keells Group Chairperson Krishan Balendra pointed out that the project strengthens Sri Lanka’s position as a regional maritime hub.”
“Together with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Adani Group, we will elevate Colombo’s status as a leading transshipment hub. We are confident that the project will enhance global trade and connectivity in the region,” he adds.
Construction began in early 2022 and has since achieved rapid progress. With the installation of cutting-edge infrastructure now nearing completion, CWIT is poised to set new benchmarks in operational efficiency and reliability in regional maritime logistics.
A CEOs delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), led by Mr. Sanjiv Puri, Immediate Past President, CII and Chairman & Managing Director of ITC Limited, visited Colombo from 29 June to 02 July 2025.
The visit followed an invitation extended by the President of Sri Lanka during his State Visit to India in December 2024. The delegation comprised over 15 prominent Indian business leaders representing diverse sectors including hospitality, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, textiles, and tourism, among others.
During the visit, the CII delegation also called on the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. The leadership briefed the Indian business representatives on the constructive measures undertaken by the government to foster a supportive economic climate, promote investment, and ensure fair and transparent business practices.
In addition, the delegation held wide-ranging discussions with several senior Ministers and officials of the Government of Sri Lanka, including the Minister of Energy; Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development; and the Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka. These discussions explored avenues for investment-led collaboration and sector-specific partnerships.
A key highlight of the visit was a CEOs’ Roundtable organised by the High Commission of India on 30 June at ITC Ratnadipa, in collaboration with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC). The CCC delegation was led by Mr. Krishan Balendra, Chairman and CEO of John Keells Group. The Roundtable witnessed in-depth deliberations on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and identifying new opportunities for collaboration. High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Mr. Santosh Jha also participated in the interaction.
To mark the occasion, the High Commissioner hosted a networking reception that brought together prominent business leaders, senior ministers, and political leaders. The event also witnessed the participation of leading trade and industry chambers from across Sri Lanka.
The visit of the CII CEOs delegation successfully identified various areas of mutual interest for forging further economic linkages and trade connections. It also highlighted the commitment of apex Indian chambers of commerce, such as CII, to deepening existing economic ties, promoting investment-led partnerships, and exploring new avenues for collaboration between India and Sri Lanka.
The delegation included :
Dr Nandini Rangaswamy – Chairperson, GRG Educational Institutions & Managing Director, Chandra Group of Companies
Dr S Chandrakumar – Founder & Executive Chairman Kauvery Group of Hospitals
Mr CK Ranganathan – Chairman & Managing Director CavinKare Pvt Ltd
Mr G R Anantapadmanaban – Managing Director GRT Group
Mr VKC Razak – Chairman, CII Kerala State Council & Managing Director of VKC Footgear Pvt. Ltd.
Mr Dipak Das – Managing Director Lanka IOC PLC
Mr Christo George – Convenor CII Kerala Manufacturing MSME & Export Panel, Chairman and Managing Director of Hykon India Limited
Mr Sohel Firoz Kazani – Founder and Managing Partner of Interport Impex Private Limited (Bharat Freight Group)
Mr Sunin Sunny – CEO of Ecospice Ingredients Pvt Ltd.
Mr Ravi Dolli – Member, CII Maharashtra Manufacturing Panel & CEO of Alloy Steels
Mr Rahul Nayak – Head of International Business TVS Motor Company
Ms Neerja Bhatia – Deputy Director General Confederation of Indian Industry
Mr Saikat Roy Chowdhury – Executive Director of International Confederation of Indian Industry
Mr Manish Mohan – Senior Director of International Confederation of Indian Industry
The Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) has donated Rs. 100 million to the President’s Fund.
Mr. Dipak Das, Managing Director of Lanka Indian Oil Company, handed over the relevant cheque to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, at the Presidential Secretariat today (July 04).
It is noteworthy that this donation is in addition to the contributions Lanka Indian Oil Company already makes to the education, health and cultural sectors in the country.
Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and a group of representatives from Lanka Indian Oil Company were also present at the occasion.
Mr. Das was a part of the CEOs delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) who was in Colombo from June 29 – July 02.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has initiated resolution action against Nation Lanka Finance PLC (NLFP), effective from today (July 04) due to continuous violations of the Finance Business Act No. 42 of 2011 and related regulatory directives.
The company has been facing a deteriorating financial position marked by capital deficiencies, poor asset quality, ongoing losses, and failure to repay depositors.