The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), the national organisation for MICE tourism under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, officially inaugurated the Sri Lanka MICE Expo 2026 (SL-MICE Expo 2026) at Shangri-La Colombo on October 6. The multi-day event aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a leading destination for MICE.
The Expo brought together more than 120 hosted international MICE and travel operators, along with media representatives from 26 countries, creating a platform for global engagement, business development and industry collaboration. The event showcased Sri Lanka’s diverse MICE infrastructure, hospitality offerings and tourism experiences while connecting local suppliers with international buyers.
The official opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism; Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka; and Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, alongside other distinguished guests and industry representatives.
The programme commenced on October 5 with a MICE Business Forum and Welcome Reception at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. The forum featured a destination presentation and a high-level panel discussion exploring Sri Lanka’s potential as an international MICE destination, highlighting emerging opportunities and the country’s ability to cater to the evolving requirements of the global business events sector.
Through the Expo, Sri Lanka aims to strengthen engagement with international travel trade partners, expand business opportunities and showcase its ability to combine professional event facilities with cultural discovery, natural beauty and personalised hospitality. The initiative reinforces the country’s efforts to attract a broader range of international MICE events and establish stronger connections with the global business events industry.
