Manjula Wijesundara new COYLE Chairman

• Ushers in a year of international growth

Manjula Wijesundara

The Chamber of Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) announced the appointment of Manjula Wijesundara as its new Chairman for the year 2025/26. 

A respected entrepreneur and passionate advocate for business-led development, Wijesundara steps into leadership with a bold theme that reflects the needs of the hour— ‘A Year of International Growth’.

With the global economy undergoing profound shifts, Wijesundara’s appointment marks a timely change in the COYLE’s strategic focus. In his inaugural remarks, Wijesundara articulated a vision for strengthening Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through robust international engagement and enhanced global market access for Sri Lankan businesses. His message was clear: sustainable economic recovery will come from expanding the nation’s presence beyond its borders.

“As Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, we must look outward and act with purpose. The next phase of our growth lies in our ability to compete, collaborate and lead in international markets. This year will be about building bridges—with policymakers, global partners and emerging economies—to position Sri Lanka as a trusted trade and investment partner,” Wijesundara stated.

Under his leadership, the COYLE will actively pursue stronger relationships with international chambers, diplomatic missions and trade bodies, laying the groundwork for more meaningful bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The chamber’s focus will be to support and amplify the voice of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs globally—especially in sectors such as apparel, rubber, tea, ICT and manufacturing, which continue to be among the country’s highest foreign exchange earners.

Wijesundara believes that strong international relations not only open new doors for exports but also attract critical investments and partnerships needed to modernise Sri Lanka’s industries and infrastructure. 

“In an interconnected world, diplomacy and business must go hand in hand. Our vision is to be a trusted ally in economic diplomacy,” he noted.

As part of this agenda, the COYLE is preparing to lead a series of structured engagements with foreign policymakers and trade delegations. These efforts are aimed at helping Sri Lankan businesses overcome barriers to market entry, navigate evolving regulatory frameworks and build long-term partnerships across key regions, including South Asia, the Middle East, East Asia and Europe.