One of the most important outcomes of the Northern Investment Summit 2026 (NIS26), held recently in Jaffna, was the powerful visibility it created. The event showcased the tremendous potential and untapped opportunities within the people and communities of the Northern Province, often beyond what they themselves have been exposed to.
By bringing real success stories, industry leaders, and practitioners to the ground, the Summit helped ignite aspiration. It encouraged individuals and enterprises to do more and better with less, to aspire to world-class standards, to never compromise on quality, and to believe that they too can build globally competitive businesses driven by Sri Lanka’s ingenuity and talent.
Joint Country Head Virtusa Sri Lanka, and Global Head of Sustainability and Facilities, Denver de Zylva acknowledged that, “The Summit also provided a valuable platform to share the success story of Virtusa’s nearly three decades of growth in Sri Lanka, demonstrating how sustained investment in talent, technology, and responsible global delivery has made it one of the significant driving forces of the national IT industry.”
Importantly, the Summit enabled discussions on the growing need for responsible businesses, anchored in accountability and transparency, to remain competitive in global markets. It introduced the concept of Sustainability 2.0 which involves going beyond reporting to understanding real impact, impact assessment, and long-term value creation when undertaking projects, particularly in sustainability-led investments.
Equally impactful, according to Denver, was the opportunity to engage directly with the Universities of Jaffna and Vavuniya, reinforcing the importance of preparing students to remain relevant and globally competitive. This involves encouraging continuous microlearning, the use of accessible global platforms such as LinkedIn, exposure to real-world industry expectations which helps students connect with global opportunities, staying current with cutting-edge skills, and understanding the responsibility of delivering work to world-class, not merely local standards.
The Northern Investment Summit 2026 was a well-conceived and future-focused national initiative that successfully brought together government, industry, academia, investors, and the Sri Lankan diaspora.
Over the course of a packed two-day program, investor confidence was strengthened, and clear opportunities supported by practical case studies and strong government participation were showcased.
NIS 26 represents an important step toward inclusive regional development and long-term value creation, contributing to the building of resilient, future-ready economic ecosystems for Sri Lanka.
Denver De Zylva was a Guest Speaker at NIS26. He is a Board Director at SLASSCOM and the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka.
