Name: People's Economic Forum 2025
Start: 2025-09-26T09:00:00+05:30
Location: Hilton Colombo

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 • 9:00 AM

Hilton Colombo

Get Directions

00 Days

00 Hours

00 Minutes

00 Seconds

About #PEF2025

2025 is the UN declared International Year of cooperatives. With the escalating conflicts over limited global resources and decreasing tolerance for diversity, the need to find ways and means to coexist on the mother earth has become a severe challenge. In this strategically significant moment, Peoples Economic Forum 2025 marks an important milestone in the national roadmap towards prosperity by establishing the role of cooperative enterprises in building sustainable communities.
Peoples Economic Forum is being organized for the 4th time by SANASA International with the objective of drawing the attention of the national development planners of Sri Lanka to the potential and the role of the cooperative sector.

For Whom

The event will bring together key actors from Sri Lanka and across the globe in the arena of cooperative enterprises and sustainable development.

150 delegates comprising policy makers, service providers, researchers, and cooperative leaders, as well as national authorities, will take part and present illustrative practices alongside new developments.

Policy Makers

National and regional authorities shaping cooperative enterprise policies.

Service Providers

Organizations offering technical and financial support to cooperatives.

Researchers

Academics and experts presenting findings on cooperative development.

Cooperative Leaders

Leaders sharing best practices and innovative models from the field.

Aims & Objectives

Our mission and direction for sustainable cooperative development.

Aims & Objectives

To raise the awareness on the scale, scope, role and influence of the cooperative sector in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
To engage policy makers proactively to make changes in governance and regulatory frameworks to facilitate an enabling modus operandi for cooperative enterprises.
To explore interdependency to reach consensus with actions for transboundary cooperation to achieving global SDGs in Sri Lanka.

Outcomes

The role of cooperative enterprises in the national economy be acknowledged.
Feed concrete recommendations to policy making process on how best cooperative enterprises can be leveraged in the national economic development agenda.
Co-create better regulatory frameworks to enable cooperative enterprises in Sri Lanka.

Content

An overview of the sessions, perspectives, and discussions shaping the forum.

Inaugural Keynote

Delivered by Professor Gamini Senanayaka, Vice Chancellor of SANASA Higher Education Institute (former Vice Chancellor of University of Ruhuna) on “Role of the cooperative to overcome the challenges for building sustainable communities”.

Chief Guest Speech

By Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Mr. K.D. Lalakantha. Focusing on the role of cooperative enterprises in national development.

Discussion & Insights

Exploring Sri Lankan perspectives and global experiences, the forum highlights interdependency across sectors, engages policy makers, and proposes mechanisms for cooperative enterprises to thrive and contribute to SDGs.

Previous Years Highlights

Relive the most memorable moments from PEF

PEF 2023

Opening Ceremony

Keynote Speech

Networking Moments

The People’s Economic Forum 2023, held on November 23rd at SANASA Campus in Kegalle under the theme “Building Resilience Towards Sustainable Growth”, convened leaders, academics, and cooperative practitioners. Key discussions centered on the role of communities, cooperatives, and the state in shaping sustainable futures, alongside calls for ecological democracy, women’s leadership, and nature-based solutions. The forum concluded with a strong call for citizen engagement and collective responsibility in building a resilient and inclusive nation.

PEF 2022

Opening Ceremony

Keynote Speech

Networking Moments

The People’s Economic Forum 2022, held on 26th August at Hilton Colombo under the theme “Building an Inclusive Economy”, brought together leaders from the public, private, and cooperative sectors. Discussions highlighted the vital role of cooperatives, social enterprises, and smallholder farmers in shaping inclusive national economic policies. Keynote speakers and panelists emphasized cooperative law reforms, governance, and long-term strategies as essential to rebuilding Sri Lanka’s economy during the ongoing crisis.

PEF 2021

Opening Ceremony

Keynote Speech

Networking Moments

The People’s Economic Forum 2021, held virtually on 29th September, convened cooperative leaders, policymakers, researchers, and development partners to explore the sector’s role in national development. Sponsored by EFECS with support from DID and the Government of Canada, the forum showcased case studies and policy discussions that highlighted cooperatives as a powerful model for inclusive and sustainable growth. The event emphasized youth engagement, governance reforms, and the potential of cooperatives to strengthen local economies while advancing global development goals.

Our Events Agenda

Venue: Hilton Colombo

Like previous year, this year we are arranging People's Economic Forum 2025. It’s the gathering of all the big names.

08:30 am
– 09:00 am

Activity: Registration

Self-registration (QR-led e-registration)
Distribution of conference documents (QR-enabled download or print)

09:00 am
– 09:30 am

Activity: Inaugural Ceremony

Traditional oil lamp lighting
Conference video presentation
Welcome address

09:30 am
– 10:00 am

Keynote Address: “Challenges in Building Sustainable Communities and the Role of Cooperatives in Overcoming Them”

Speaker: Prof. Gamini Senanayaka (Vice Chancellor, SANASA Higher Education Institute)

10:00 am
– 10:10 am

Topic: A Vision for a Cooperative Food System: Why is it important to engage people in food production?

Speaker: Esther Petunia (Secretary General, Asian Farmers’ Organization for Sustainable Agriculture)

10:10 am
– 10:45 am

Address by: Hon. Minister K.D. Lalkantha

10:45 am
– 11:00 am

Activity: Tea Break

11:00 am
– 11:10 am

Topic: National Food Production Processes and Cooperatives – The Experience of Rabobank, Netherlands

11:10 am
– 11:45 am

Topic: Cuban Experiences in Cooperatives and National Food Production

Speaker: Dr. Lionel Weerakoon

11:45 am
– 12:30 pm

Topic: Developing a Cooperative Food System

Video: Nutrient-Enriched Rice
Integrating cooperatives into national food production initiatives

Speaker: Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Food, and Cooperatives

12:30 pm
– 01:30 pm

Activity: Lunch Break

01:30 pm
– 02:30 pm

Academic Panel Discussion: Building Assets for Sustainable Communities

National Nutrition Crisis – Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne (Executive Director, Sarvodaya Movement)
Challenges in Achieving Social Sustainability – Lecturer (TBC)
Biodiversity as a Sustainable National Asset – Prof. Devaka Weerakoon (University of Colombo)

02:30 pm
– 03:00 pm

Discussion: Building synergies, policy proposals, and recommendations for future action

03:00 pm
– 03:30 pm

Concluding Address: Dr. P.A. Kiriwandeniya (Leader, SANASA Movement)

03:30 pm onwards

Activity: Vote of Thanks & Conclusion of Conference

Our Partners

The Peoples Economic Forum 2025 embodies the shared vision and united effort of the SANASA family and the esteemed stakeholders of the Smart Farmer Project, paving the way for sustainable progress and inclusive economic transformation.