Sri Lanka First is a non-political, non religious, non ethnic association that was formed by leading business organizations in the country. It was born out of a need to find a solution to the 18-year conflict which has ravaged Sri Lanka and has affected the economy thereby making Sri Lanka no longer competitive as a nation. The country has not been able to invest in infrastructure and education which are essential if it is to keep pace with neighbouring countries. The Airport attack on July 24th 2001 was a definite wake up call. Tourism virtually died and exports and imports were severely affected. It is with this in mind that the business community realised that the only way forward for the country was to restart the peace process. It was time to put Sri Lanka first. The group was formed by the business community led by the three affected sectors - tourism, garment exports and the tea trade.

The association has been launched under the auspices of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, with the committee comprising of leading business heads.

Accepting and understanding the futility of war Sri Lanka First sought to add their support to civil society's genuine yearning for peace. It launched its peace initiative with a call to all Sri Lankans to express their solidarity and support for peace by joining Sri Lanka First to hold hands for peace at noon on the 19th of September, 2001. An estimated 1 million people stepped out on to the roads and held hands in the first-ever public demonstration of such magnitude indicating an overwhelming desire for peace.

The success of this event was the result of an extensive media awareness campaign created in order to educate civil society on the real cost of the war. The media campaign was carefully conceptualized and used easily accessible and familiar symbols and images to both attract and convince its audience on the need to build solidarity and support for peace.

Currently Sri Lanka First is continuing to work on several fronts to educate the public at large on the benefits of peace. It has also joined hands with international agencies to assist the Government in an effort to promote investment and to help rebuild Sri Lanka's war devastated economy in the entire country in order to ensure a sustainable and durable peace for all.