Sri Lanka is seeking Japanese investment and technology to develop its mineral sector, with a focus on processing resources into higher-value products.
Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetthi led a delegation to Japan from October 13 to 16. The visit focused on investment opportunities, technology transfer and value-added production.
A Sri Lanka–Japan Mineral Sector Promotion Seminar and Investor Roundtable took place at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) headquarters in Tokyo on October 14.
Japanese Investors Explore Mineral Opportunities
More than 100 participants joined the event, which the Sri Lankan Embassy in Tokyo and JETRO organised together.
Ten Sri Lankan companies presented their products and investment opportunities to Japanese stakeholders. Business discussions followed the presentations.
Talks covered graphite, mineral sands, quartz and other mineral resources. Participants also discussed mineral processing, resource assessment, value addition and stronger supply chains.
For the mineral sector, this approach puts more focus on processing resources and creating higher-value products rather than simply developing raw mineral resources.
Government Seeks Technology and Investment Cooperation
During the visit, Handunnetthi and his delegation met senior representatives from JETRO, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
They discussed possible cooperation in geological surveys, technical training, mineral processing and investment promotion.
According to the Sri Lankan Embassy, this was the first time the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development had organised a delegation to Japan specifically to promote one economic sector.
The initiative forms part of efforts to make the mineral sector a priority under the National Export Development Programme.
Government also links this effort to its target of reaching US$36 billion in exports by 2030.
No specific Japanese investment deal or investment amount was announced during the visit. Instead, discussions focused on finding opportunities for future investment, technology cooperation and higher-value mineral production.
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Last modified: October 21, 2026
