From left to proper: Mr. Premalal Brahmanage, Chairman of Prime Group; Mr. Kishore Reddy, Managing Director of Platinum Realty Investments (Pvt) Ltd; Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Former Governor of the Central Financial institution of Sri Lanka; Moderator Mr. Dhananath Fernando, CEO of Advocata Institute; Mr. Saminda Jayasekara, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Atomic Vitality Regulatory Council & Property Regulation Marketing consultant; and Mr. Nadeem Shums, Vice President of John Keells Holdings PLC.
Trade specialists on the Lanka Property Present 2025 expressed confidence in Sri Lanka’s actual property sector, highlighting its potential for development regardless of previous financial challenges. Whereas elements corresponding to rising rates of interest, foreign money depreciation, and fluctuating taxes beforehand impacted the market, specialists had been optimistic that stabilizing rates of interest, alternate charges, and tax insurance policies will foster a extra predictable and business-friendly surroundings for traders and homebuyers alike.
Constructing on this constructive outlook, the Lanka Property Present 2025 bolstered the sector’s resilience and promising future. The occasion featured 25+ premier initiatives, together with extremely anticipated new launches, attracting a various viewers of over 17,000 guests each in particular person and nearly. The dwell stream on Fb, LinkedIn, and YouTube additionally garnered a formidable 59,721 views, additional cementing the present’s success. The robust turnout and enthusiastic engagement from consumers, traders, and trade professionals underscored the sustained demand for actual property in Sri Lanka.
Now in its ninth version, the Lanka Property Present (LPS)—the nation’s largest property expo—was held on February fifteenth and sixteenth on the Kingsbury Resort. Since its inception in 2017, the occasion has grown considerably, and in recent times, it has advanced right into a hybrid bodily and digital present. This yr noticed a rise in guests and exhibitors, reaffirming that consumers are actively returning to the market after the pandemic and financial downturn.
As in previous editions, the Lanka Property Present 2025 hosted two participating panel discussions, providing beneficial trade insights. The primary session delved into the expansion and way forward for Sri Lanka’s property sector, inspecting key traits and market projections.
Kicking off the dialogue, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, former Governor of the Central Financial institution, shared his perspective on the evolving financial panorama. He famous that, not like up to now, challenges corresponding to excessive rates of interest, foreign money depreciation, and tax instability are anticipated to stabilize. This shift, pushed by stricter fiscal insurance policies launched by the Public Finance Administration Act and the Central Financial institution Act, is ready to create a extra predictable and investment-friendly surroundings.
Discussing the present market panorama for builders, Prime Group Chairman, Mr. Premalal Brahmanage, highlighted that Sri Lanka has the best building prices in South Asia, making property growth dearer and limiting the provision of reasonably priced housing. He emphasised the monetary burden on builders, stating that from the primary bag of cement to the ultimate sale, direct and oblique taxes can account for as much as 40% of every property transaction.
With the actual property trade contributing round 7% to the nation’s GDP and producing substantial tax income, he urged the federal government to offer larger assist to the sector to make sure its sustained development and affordability for consumers.
To handle these challenges, the trade is actively exploring progressive options corresponding to cheaper financing choices, enhanced provide chains, and superior building strategies to enhance affordability and sustainability out there, added Mr. Brahmanage.
In abstract of Mr. Brahmanage’s feedback, the moderator, Mr. Dhananath Fernando, remarked, “it sounds to me such as you’re within the enterprise of paying taxes and in the midst of it constructing some property”.
Addressing the challenges builders face in attracting overseas consumers, Mr. Kishore Reddy, Managing Director of Platinum Realty Investments urged the federal government to expedite the implementation of investor visas. Regardless of being gazetted, these visas stay tough to acquire, posing a barrier to worldwide funding in Sri Lanka’s property market. He highlighted the necessity to make housing extra reasonably priced by addressing import boundaries on important constructing supplies corresponding to tiles, aluminium, and different building supplies. The imposition of cess and excessive duties on these imports will increase building prices, in the end impacting each builders and consumers. By lowering such restrictions, the federal government can facilitate less expensive growth. He additionally famous that whereas the rupee has depreciated towards the greenback, property values have risen proportionally, guaranteeing that traders haven’t confronted losses. This pure market adjustment, he emphasised, reinforces the view that actual property stays a safe and dependable funding choice.
The panel dialogue, moderated by Dhananath Fernando, (CEO of the Advocata Institute) additionally featured Nadeem Shums, (Vice President at John Keells Holdings PLC) and Saminda Jayasekara, (Chairman, Sri Lanka Atomic Vitality Regulatory Council and Property Regulation Marketing consultant) offering an in-depth and balanced view of the longer term trajectory of the market.
Persevering with with the theme of actual property and building, the second panel dialogue centered on the reasonably priced building of particular person houses. Moderated by Dr. Prathap Kaluthanthri (MRICS, Head of the Division of Property Administration and Valuation, College of Sri Jayewardenepura), the panel featured Dr. Janaka Fernando (Head of the Division of Enterprise Economics, College of Sri Jayewardenepura), Dr. Yasas Pathiranage (Enterprise Marketing consultant), Plnr. E.A.C. Piyashantha (Deputy Director Normal, City Improvement Authority), and Chartered Architect Tharangika Ranathungarachchi (Companion, Makevita and Ranathungarachchi Architects). The dialogue coated very important themes for these seeking to construct homes, together with passive design, regionally sourced supplies, adaptive design, inexperienced roofs and dwelling partitions, all geared toward lowering prices, enhancing effectivity, and enhancing affordability and sustainability of homes.
Concluding the discussions, Trade specialists emphasised the necessity for coverage stability, reasonably priced housing options, and streamlined funding processes to drive development. With robust purchaser curiosity, elevated investor confidence, and ongoing discussions on key trade challenges, the occasion highlighted a promising path ahead for the sector. As Sri Lanka’s property market continues to evolve, collaborative efforts between stakeholders and policymakers will likely be essential in guaranteeing sustainable development and larger accessibility for each native and overseas consumers.
This yr’s occasion really embodied its theme, “Every little thing Underneath One Roof for Property Consumers,” by bringing collectively a complete vary of actual property alternatives and providers. Exhibitors showcased a various number of residences, homes, and land initiatives throughout the nation, whereas 4 main banks provided dwelling loans ranging from 11.5%. Attendees additionally had entry to deal with builders, photo voltaic suppliers, free authorized consultations, and knowledgeable advisory providers on shopping for and promoting—all conveniently obtainable beneath one roof all through the two-day occasion to fulfil their property shopping for course of in the identical location.
It was made attainable with the assist of its esteemed sponsors and companions. Platinum sponsors included Marina Sq., John Keells Properties and Iconic Galaxy, whereas Gold sponsors included Baili Funding and Prime Group. The occasion was additional supported by its Banking Companion, Business Financial institution together with the media partnership of Sirasa Media Community, Out of doors Media Companion Storm Media and Communication Companion Textware.
For extra particulars on the occasion, go to www.lankapropertyweb.com/occasions.
