Commonwealth_ The Lanka Property Show 2025 underscored the growing optimism surrounding Sri Lanka‘s real estate sector, despite the challenges faced in recent years. Experts at the event highlighted the potential for growth in the market, driven by stabilizing interest rates, currency exchange rates, and tax policies, which are expected to foster a more predictable and investor-friendly environment.
Held on February 15th and 16th at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo, the 9th edition of the Lanka Property Show (LPS) attracted over 17,000 visitors, both physically and virtually. The event also garnered significant attention online, with more than 59,000 views on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, demonstrating strong interest from both local and international audiences. This year’s show featured over 25 premier real estate projects, including several highly anticipated new launches, reaffirming the sector’s resilience and its ability to recover and thrive despite past setbacks.
The event’s hybrid format, offering both in-person and virtual participation, reflects the evolving nature of the real estate industry and its growing appeal among investors. The rise in visitors and exhibitors further highlights the ongoing recovery of the sector following the pandemic and economic downturn. The Lanka Property Show 2025 also provided a platform for two insightful panel discussions that explored the growth prospects and challenges of Sri Lanka’s property market.
During the first panel discussion, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, former Governor of the Central Bank, provided a positive outlook on the economy. He emphasized the expected stabilization of the country’s fiscal challenges, including high interest rates, currency depreciation, and tax instability. These improvements, driven by new fiscal policies and legislative changes such as the Public Finance Management Act and Central Bank Act, are set to create a more predictable and investment-friendly environment.
On the development side, Mr. Premalal Brahmanage, Chairman of Prime Group, discussed the high construction costs in Sri Lanka, which are the highest in South Asia. He pointed out that taxes account for up to 40% of each property transaction, adding to the financial burden on developers and limiting the availability of affordable housing. He urged the government to provide more support to the sector to ensure its continued growth and to make housing more affordable for buyers.
In response to these challenges, the real estate industry is exploring innovative solutions, including cheaper financing options, improved supply chains, and advanced construction techniques, all aimed at reducing costs and improving the sustainability of housing projects. These efforts are crucial in making the property market more accessible and affordable to a broader range of potential buyers.
Mr. Kishore Reddy, Managing Director of Platinum Realty Investments, also addressed the challenges faced by developers in attracting foreign buyers. He highlighted the need for the government to expedite the implementation of investor visas, which, despite being gazetted, remain difficult to obtain. These visas are essential for attracting international investment into Sri Lanka’s property market. Additionally, Mr. Reddy called for the removal of import restrictions on essential construction materials, such as tiles and aluminum, which contribute to rising construction costs.
The second panel discussion focused on affordable housing solutions, featuring experts from various sectors, including Dr. Prathap Kaluthanthri, Head of the Department of Estate Management and Valuation at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The discussion explored strategies for building more affordable homes, such as using locally sourced materials, incorporating green roofs, and implementing passive and adaptive design strategies. These methods aim to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance the sustainability of housing projects.
The event also highlighted the importance of policy stability and streamlined investment processes in fostering growth in the real estate sector. Experts emphasized that with strong buyer interest, increased investor confidence, and ongoing efforts to address key industry challenges, the future of Sri Lanka’s property market looks promising.
The Lanka Property Show 2025 brought together a wide range of real estate opportunities, including apartments, houses, and land projects, alongside essential services such as home loans, legal consultations, and expert advisory services. The event’s success was made possible by the support of key sponsors, including Platinum Sponsors Marina Square, John Keells Properties, and Iconic Galaxy, as well as Gold Sponsors Baili Investment and Prime Group. The Lanka Property Show 2025 showcased the resilience and promising future of the sector, underscoring Sri Lanka’s status as a robust investment destination in the real estate market.
