The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) successfully hosted the South Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa Presidents’ Meeting 2026 from 5th to 8th February at the Cinnamon Life Hotel, Colombo. The four-day gathering brought together over 300 attendees, including Chapter Presidents, President-Elects, and Chapter Managers, representing 79 chapters across three regions.
Leaders attended from 18 European countries—including France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom; 13 countries across the Middle East, Pakistan, and Africa, including Egypt, Israel, Kenya, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE; and three South Asian nations: Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Held under the theme “Trust. Grow. Together.”, the meeting served as a strategic platform for regional alignment, leadership development, and cross-border collaboration. As the largest annual convergence of EO chapter leaders in the region, the event focused on strengthening trusted relationships, sharing best practices, and equipping leaders to enhance chapter performance and member experience.
Founded in 1987, EO is a global peer network of over 20,000 entrepreneurs across more than 100 countries and 220 chapters. Its members are business founders and owners committed to growth, leadership excellence, and community impact.
“This meeting reaffirmed the power of collaboration across cultures and markets,” said EO Sri Lanka President Tarindra Kaluperuma, Executive Director of Stafford Motor Company (Pvt) Ltd. “When entrepreneurial leaders build trust and grow together, the impact extends far beyond our chapters.”
Beyond leadership discussions, the meeting also boosted Colombo’s visitor economy. Delegates, many accompanied by spouses, extended their stays to explore the city and other parts of Sri Lanka, generating demand across hotels, restaurants, transport services, and local attractions. Several Colombo restaurants and venues were fully booked for private events, while hotels welcomed guests over multiple nights, highlighting the event’s wider economic impact.
Colombo West International Terminal Surpasses 1 Million TEU Milestone
Sri Lanka’s maritime sector celebrated a landmark achievement as Colombo West International Terminal (Private) Limited – CWIT announced that it had successfully handled one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) within its first year of operations.
This milestone marks the fastest any terminal at the Port of Colombo has reached the one-million-container mark during its inaugural year, highlighting the terminal’s strategic importance and reinforcing Colombo’s growing status as a major maritime hub in the Indian Ocean. The milestone was commemorated on 16 March 2026 at CWIT’s premises, with distinguished guests and employees gathering to celebrate the handling of the terminal’s one-millionth container.
For Sri Lanka’s maritime industry, the achievement represents more than a numerical benchmark—it reflects the rapid operational success of a terminal designed to strengthen the country’s role in global shipping and transshipment. Globally, new terminals typically take several years to reach such volumes as they scale operations and build relationships with international shipping lines. CWIT’s accomplishment underscores its advanced infrastructure, meticulous operational planning, and the confidence placed by global shipping operators in the terminal.
The milestone also reinforces Colombo’s position as a key transshipment hub connecting major shipping routes across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. As global trade continues to expand, terminals like CWIT play a critical role in ensuring efficient cargo movement and enhancing maritime connectivity across the region.
Over 300 Entrepreneurs’ Organization Leaders Gather in Colombo
