TMC launches Northern Investment Summit 2026 to boost growth in North

The Management Club (TMC) yesterday announced the launch of Northern Investment Summit 2026 (NIS26), a major initiative to promote investment, entrepreneurship and regional growth in Sri Lanka’s Northern province.

The summit will be held on January 21 and 22, 2026, at the Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre in Jaffna, under the theme ‘Empowering Growth, Driving Innovations’.

NIS26 aims to position the Northern province as a new hub for trade and investment by connecting both local and foreign investors with emerging business opportunities across key sectors. The two-day event will include policy discussions, sector panels, project showcases and business-to-business meetings.

National Enterprise Development Authority Chairman Laxhman Abeysekera

Jaffna District Secretariat District Secretary/Government Agent Maruthalingam Piratheepan

Board of Investment Director General Renuka Weerakone

Hatton National Bank Managing Director/CEO Damith Pallewatte

“The Northern province has great potential with its natural resources, skilled workforce and improving infrastructure,” a TMC spokesperson said. 

“This summit will help create partnerships that lead to new jobs, businesses and lasting development.”

Over 400 delegates are expected to attend, including government officials, corporate leaders, investors, development partners and academics. Sessions will be conducted in both English and Tamil to ensure wider participation.

The summit will highlight investment opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, industry, start-ups, healthcare and education technology, while also focusing on renewable energy, digitalisation, sustainability and artificial intelligence.

Key announcements are expected, including three new industrial zones in the Northern province and a special capital allowance to attract investors to the region.

Following the event, TMC will release a Northern Investment Opportunities Report with detailed information on projects and partnerships available for investment.

The summit is organised by TMC, with HNB as the Principal Sponsor and Sea Leisure Yachting Group as Strategic Partner. Partner institutions include the Industries Ministry, Northern Provincial Council, Indian High Commission, Board of Investment, Export Development Board, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, KPMG and several universities.

TMC plans to make the summit an annual event and establish a Northern Investment Desk to support investors with information and facilitation.

Founded over 25 years ago, TMC is a professional organisation that promotes leadership, knowledge sharing and business growth in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, National Enterprise Development Authority Chairman Laxhan Abeysekera urged the schoolchildren in the Northern province to prepare for future opportunities in the private sector rather than relying solely on government jobs. He encouraged youth to focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, highlighting the business prospects emerging through NIS26.

TMC President Roger Talayarathne said the organisation, with the support from government ministries, is determined to find long-term solutions to the challenges that have slowed Northern development. Responding to a question from a journalist about the lack of progress from past projects, he said, “That is exactly why TMC stepped in — to ensure this time, action leads to results.”

Jaffna Government Agent M. Piiraheepan said land allocation for investment has already begun. 

“We have identified around 65 acres for industrial estates and nine companies have already started industries on 25 acres of land. In addition, 751 acres have been handed over to the Board of Investment for further development,” he added.