News

Million Lankan women workers will lose their jobs if Trump’s 44 % tariff goes into effect

Published

1 year ago

2025/05/13

As many as a million Lankan women workers in key export sectors will lose their jobs and income if the 44 percent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump come into force at the end of the 90-day pause, Asia News has reported.

Sri Lanka’s main export industries, such as apparel, tea, gems, rubber and cinnamon, that employ mostly women, will be the most affected by the new tariffs since the US market is one of their most lucrative.

Apparel workers reproach the government for its “lethargic attitude” and failure to consider the concerns of workers and unions, not least because their representatives were not asked to participate in the discussions on tariffs.

The apparel industry accounts for about 40 percent of the country’s total exports, and is crucial for its economy. It also employs mainly women from low-income backgrounds in rural areas, for whom these jobs represent a crucial pathway out of poverty.

Since most apparel workers are also breadwinners, their wages help extended family networks in economically disadvantaged regions.

“The Women’s Centre collaborated with 25 other women’s organisations to carry out our campaign against the US tariffs hindering women workers,” said its Executive Director, Padmini Weerasuriya.

If the tariffs go into effect, “Their take-home pay will decrease significantly,” she added. “As orders dip and approximately six million dependents will also be severely impacted.”

“These women need job security as factories are already discussing about possible layoffs of workers, since demand is likely to drop.”

Compared to India and Bangladesh, she warns, Sri Lankan women face greater competition since “the tariffs imposed on Sri Lanka are higher”. That is why several manufacturers are already moving their operations to Vietnam, Bangladesh and Africa.

If plants shut down, more than 350,000 women working will be impacted. AsiaNews met three of them, 33-year-old Subadra Aponsu, 31-year-old Hemamamli Akaravita and 30-year-old Sandamini Tissera who spoke about their difficulties.

“We are the breadwinners of our families as our parents are elderly and sick. Our siblings are married and they are unable to provide for our parents. During the past several years, we have been working hard and providing for our families. If we lose our jobs, we have no option but to mortgage our homes,” they explained.

“During the economic crisis, we had to sell our paddy fields. Currently, our employers are planning to leave the country. We may lose our jobs shortly. We are unable to find employment elsewhere as almost every apparel manufacturer is planning to sell their business. In our boarding house, several women have already lost their jobs.”

According to economic analysts Sampath Amarasinghe and Niroshini Caldera, “due to the new tariffs, there will be a significant decline in export volumes with a severe erosion of Sri Lankan goods’ competitiveness in US markets.” All this, they warn, could result in “many Sri Lankan products ending up out of reach for US consumers and businesses.”

The greatest risk concerns “price- and cost-sensitive categories like garments, where profit margins are already low and competition from other countries is intense.”

The new tariff will see exports to the United States drop by 20 percent, with an annual loss of about US$ 300 million in foreign currency earnings.

As Sri Lanka’s total exports of goods in 2024 reached US$ 13 billion, the experts conclude, this represents “a major blow to the country’s balance of trade” and “economic growth prospects”.

Meanwhile, several women’s groups started a petition last week in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone (the first and largest of the country’s eight FTZs). – (AsiaNews)

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News

INS Sharda arrives in Colombo

Published

4 hours ago

2026/06/10

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sharda arrived at the port of Colombo on 10 Jun 26 for an Operational Turnaround.

In keeping with time-honoured naval customs, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a traditional welcome to the visiting ship upon her arrival.

The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) is under the command of Commander Kartik Sachdeva.

During the ship’s stay in the island, its crew is scheduled to take part in several programmes organised by the Sri Lanka Navy, aiming to foster camaraderie and professional interaction.

Additionally, the Indian naval personnel will explore several prominent tourist attractions of Sri Lanka.

News

The government is implementing a comprehensive programme to restore the livelihoods of fishermen and businesses affected by Cyclone Ditwah – PM

Published

7 hours ago

2026/06/10

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government has implemented a comprehensive programme to assist the fishing community and micro, small, medium, and large-scale entrepreneurs affected by Cyclone Ditwah in rebuilding their livelihoods.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while responding to questions in Parliament on Tuesday (09) regarding the relief measures introduced for those affected by the disaster.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“The Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources has initiated a special assistance programme for both marine and inland fishermen affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Under this programme, new fishing vessels will be provided to replace those that were completely destroyed, while partially damaged vessels will be repaired. The distribution of fishing nets to eligible fishermen has also commenced.

To support the recovery of businesses damaged by the cyclone, the Government has introduced a concessional loan scheme carrying an annual interest rate of 3 per cent. The programme, with a total allocation of Rs. 10,000 million, is being implemented through 15 banks. As at 28 April 2026, loans amounting to Rs. 3,812 million had been disbursed to 2,800 entrepreneurs. The scheme offers a repayment period of up to three years, including a six-month grace period, with the objective of enabling businesses to resume operations without delay. Applicants are required to obtain recommendations from the Grama Niladhari and the Divisional Secretary certifying that the business was operational before the cyclone and that it was affected by the disaster.

The Prime Minister further stated that, on the instructions of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, licensed banks have granted a moratorium on loan repayments and waived penalty interest until 31 January 2026. The Prime Minister also emphasized that compensation payments to affected entrepreneurs are continuing in accordance with the relevant ministerial circulars and disaster relief guidelines.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Formulation of a Draft Economic Development Bill to expedite the process of Digital Transformation and Digital Economic Development

Published

17 hours ago

2026/06/10

Priyan

It is essential to establish an institutional framework with legal powers to ensure the effective implementation of national digital policy and guidelines.

Quality human capital should be attracted to this institutional framework for the compilation of policies, implementation of policies, regulation, and empowerment of operations. The continuous participation of the private sector should also be considered in establishing a strong institutional framework.

It has been further identified that attention should also be
drawn to new fields of digital innovation, including support for artificial intelligence and related activities.

Taking into consideration the aforementioned matters, a concept paper has been formulated to prepare a Draft Economic Development Bill for the establishment of a new institutional framework.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Digital Economy to instruct legal draftsman to formulate a Draft Economic Development Bill based on the aforementioned concept paper.