Expat investors eye reinvestment if conditions improve in SL

By Yohan Perera

Sri Lankan entrepreneurs who have invested abroad would consider reinvesting in Sri Lanka if the new government creates a conducive environment for such an exercise, a Lankan expat investor said.

Founder Chairman Thambapani Leasure Prashan Dissanayake told journalists it is time for Sri Lanka to create a conducive environment for the investors.

Dissanayake who started his career as a hotelier opened his hotel in Unawatuna Galle. 

“We decided to go abroad and settled down in Australia where we opened a restaurant there.

“This was in partnership with SIRUS Holdings of Australia and after forming a joint venture they hope to invest around Rs. 1 billion. 

“We plan to acquire a second hotel also adjoining the Gabba stadium, which is a popular cricket stadium in Western Australia,” he said.

In addition to Australia, the company has ventured into Vietnam where it began another restaurant. “Our restaurant in Vietnam is becoming popular,” Dissanayake said.

“What we have seen in both Vietnam and Australia is the tremendous encouragement given to entrepreneurs by those governments. Sri Lanka should follow this example if it is to become a developed nation,” Dissanayake stressed. 

When asked whether they believe the new NPP government would make a difference, Dissanayake said both President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya are keen to make a difference.