After several years focused on restoring economic stability, Sri Lanka is entering a new phase of the recovery: determining how that stability can be translated into investment, productivity and long-term growth.
That question was central to the 49th Annual Meetings of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), hosted by DFCC Bank from 23 to 25 September 2026 at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Colombo.
Held under the theme “Partnerships for Prosperity: Unlocking Regional Potential,” the three-day gathering brought together development finance institutions, policymakers, bankers and private-sector leaders to examine how the region can mobilise capital and create new opportunities for sustainable economic expansion.
The discussions extended beyond the immediate priorities of economic recovery, focusing instead on how countries can attract productive investment, unlock private-sector capital and finance businesses and infrastructure projects where returns may take years to materialise.
From Economic Stability to Productive Investment
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, noted that Sri Lanka’s recent sovereign ratings upgrade reflected the progress achieved through macroeconomic stabilisation and ongoing reforms.
But economic stability represents only the foundation for the next stage of development. The broader challenge is to turn that stability into higher investment, stronger productivity and sustained economic growth.
This is where development finance institutions can play a role extending beyond conventional lending. By helping structure projects, sharing or absorbing risks that traditional lenders may be unable to take on alone, and bringing together public, private and multilateral sources of funding, these institutions can help transform potential projects into investible opportunities.
Against this backdrop, the conference theme of partnership took on a practical dimension. Collaboration is not limited to cooperation between institutions; it can also expand the capital available for development and direct financing towards projects capable of generating long-term economic value.
Capital One Introduces Donatello to Deliver Bespoke Wealth Management Services
Capital One is set to launch Donatello on 25 September 2026, introducing a dedicated Bespoke Private Wealth Management concept designed specifically for High-Net-Worth (HNW) and Ultra-High-Net-Worth (UHNW) clients in Sri Lanka.
The new concept brings together a dedicated lounge inspired by art and culture with Capital One’s experience in investment banking and bespoke wealth management. It is designed to create a private environment where clients can discuss their financial objectives while engaging with interests spanning art, culture, collecting and legacy.
Donatello represents an expansion of Capital One’s approach to private wealth management, moving beyond traditional financial interactions to create a more personalised client experience.
A broader approach to wealth management
Commenting on the launch, Veranga Vithanaarachchi, Founder and Group Managing Director of Capital One, said:
“Wealth management is not only about managing what clients have today, but understanding what they want their wealth to achieve over time. By fusing art, culture, and the kind of access that meets the needs of our private wealth clients with our investment knowledge and personalised advisory approach, Donatello takes that discussion outside of the traditional banking environment.”
Through its Bespoke Private Wealth Management offering, Capital One will provide clients with customised investment strategies, wealth planning, estate planning and investment advisory services. The offering will also include concierge facilities as part of the overall client experience.
Where Wealth Meets Art and Culture
Art forms a central element of the Donatello concept, creating a setting where conversations around wealth management take place alongside Sri Lankan art and cultural expression.
The approach gives the lounge a distinctive identity within Capital One’s private wealth offering while recognising the connections between wealth, collecting, cultural appreciation and legacy.
The launch also represents an investment in a dedicated space and specialised service offering for Sri Lanka’s HNW and UHNW segment, building on Capital One’s existing experience in relationship-led investment banking and personalised financial services.
Beyond Lending: Development Finance Shifts Focus to Investment and Growth in Colombo
