University of Sri Jayewardenepura Publishes International Case Study on Port City Colombo’s Role in Sri Lanka’s Economic Transformation

The Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, in collaboration with Port City Colombo, has co-authored and internationally published an academic case study and accompanying teaching notes for students, examining the project’s potential role in shaping Sri Lanka’s long-term economic future.

Published by Nova Publishers, New York, USA, the study titled “Port City Colombo: Catalysing Sri Lanka’s Emergence as a Global Investment Hub” provides a multidisciplinary analysis of the project’s urban planning, strategic, economic, regulatory, and sustainability dimensions.

The case study is featured as a chapter in the book, “Is Sri Lanka Revitalising its Economy?

An Analysis of Economic Policy and Technological Adoption,” edited by S. Perera, N. Nanayakkara, G. Samarakoon, and S. Bamunusinghe, and published under the 21st International Conference on Business Management (ICBM), the flagship conference of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce.

The case study explores the transformational vision of Port City Colombo as a landmark urban development and Special Economic Zone designed to support Sri Lanka's transition from a traditional tourism-and export-dependent economy to a dynamic, service-oriented, and globally competitive investment destination.

Against a backdrop of shifting global economic dynamics and increasing competition for foreign direct investment, the study examines how Port City Colombo seeks to create an enabling environment for investment, innovation, and ease of doing business while contributing to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic resilience, diversification, and integration into the global economy.

“Port City Colombo is often discussed in terms of infrastructure and investment, but the project is much more than that.

It is about creating new economic opportunities for Sri Lanka and attracting industries that can support future generations,” said Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd.

“As the project moves into its operational phase, there must be serious academic discussion around both its opportunities and its long-term implications.

This collaboration with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura is vital. It brings an independent, academic perspective that positions Port City Colombo within the broader narrative of Sri Lanka’s national growth.”

Beyond its economic and regulatory dimensions, the publication evaluates the broader socio-economic, environmental, and geopolitical implications of large-scale urban developments such as Port City Colombo.

It highlights how integrated urban projects can influence national development trajectories while contributing to regional economic integration and global competitiveness.

The study was collaboratively developed by academics from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, led by Prof. Prathap Kaluthanthri, Head of the Department of Estate Management and Valuation, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, together with representatives from CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd—the project’s master developer—led by Shalaka Wijeyaratne, Executive Director/Deputy General Manager – Land Development & Marketing.

The collaboration reflects a growing partnership between academia and Port City Colombo, one of Sri Lanka's most significant foreign direct investment projects.

“This case study reflects the University of Sri Jayewardenepura’s commitment to producing research that addresses contemporary economic and urban development challenges through rigorous academic inquiry,” said Prof. Prathap Kaluthanthri.

“By integrating perspectives from real estate, investment, urban planning, governance, and economic policy, the case study provides a multidisciplinary resource for students, researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners to critically evaluate the opportunities and challenges associated with large-scale urban and investment-led development initiatives.”

The case study is expected to serve as an academic and professional resource across multiple disciplines, including Business Administration, Real Estate Finance, Marketing, Strategic Innovation, and Urban Planning & Development.

It will also support executive education programmes in real estate management and infrastructure investment, as well as undergraduate teaching in investment analysis and urban economics.

“As a leading business faculty in Sri Lanka, we strive to provide our students with opportunities to engage with real-world challenges through research, case studies, and industry partnerships.

This publication offers a unique platform for critical thinking and evidence-based learning on one of the most significant development initiatives in the country - Port City Colombo”, said Prof. Dushan Jayawickrama, Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce.

This publication builds on Port City Colombo’s continued engagement with Sri Lanka’s higher education sector through workshops, research collaborations, student engagements, ideathons, and knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at exposing students and academics to global trends in urban development, infrastructure investment, and economic transformation.

The case study is now available internationally through Nova Publishers for academic, research, and educational use.

Publication available at https://novapublishers.com/shop/is-sri-lanka-revitalising-its-economy-an-analysis-of-economic-policy-and-technological-adoption/

To learn more about the investment opportunities at Port City Colombo, please visit www.portcitycolombo.lk.

For information on Single Window Investment Facilitation and regulatory matters, please visit www.portcitycolombo.gov.lk.

About Port City Colombo

Port City Colombo is a modern, master-planned city development envisioned as a world-class international business and lifestyle hub in South Asia.

Spanning 269 hectares along the main East–West maritime route, it is Sri Lanka’s first foreign currency-designated multi-services Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and the country’s largest public–private partnership development project.

Governed by the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, the project operates under a dedicated regulatory framework that offers internationally benchmarked standards, strong investor protection, ease of doing business, and competitive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

Designed to attract high-value Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Port City Colombo facilitates sectors including financial services, IT and digital services, global trading, maritime and logistics, professional services, and regional headquarters operations.

Upon completion, the estimated US$15 billion development is expected to generate significant employment, knowledge transfer, and long-term economic growth for Sri Lanka.