Business

Call for urgent action by the Sri Lanka Women’s NGO Forum to alleviate the suffering of the people of Sri Lanka

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/21

Sri Lanka is in the grip of a collapsing economy causing immense suffering to its people.

Acute food, medicine and fuel shortages are crippling the day-to-day lives of the people giving way to despair and frustration and driving them to the streets to express their dissent against a government that has failed them. This crumbling economy if not salvaged with strategic thinking and wholesome planning for the future, will eventually bring the country and its people down to their knees. As in all crises, women are the worst affected with multiple roles they play on a daily basis, compelled to deal with long queues for gas, fuel and essential food items. Seven deaths in fuel queues (08/04) and the first death owing to lack of medicine have been reported.

Daily-wage earners and those dependent on micro, small and medium enterprises and other vulnerable, marginalized communities who live on the edge of acute poverty owing to their ethnic, religious, caste, gender and sexual orientation, are the worst affected by this ever-deepening crisis.

Most of these communities are still suffering from the effects of the trauma and tragedy of a conflict and war of over thirty years, the tsunami, Easter bombings and the Covid-19 pandemic.

These vulnerable communities are once again compelled to face another crisis.

Women shoulder numerous burdens – having to earn an income, unpaid care work as well as dealing with the struggles of their children who are already facing challenges in their education, deprived of the pleasures and joys of childhood. All these take their toll on women, their health and their mental wellbeing. The frustrations and fears faced by the families often get translated into acts of violence against women and children and inadequate support services which do not offer lasting solutions to women survivors of violence, almost always push women back to situations of recurrent violence in the home.

Let us keep in mind that this country is overwhelmingly dependent on women’s labour – through the plantation, garment and migrant labour sectors. Let us also keep in mind that women’s labour has been and continues to be exploited through their unpaid care work, lack of welfare facilities and redress mechanisms for rights violations including in their work environment.

Women’s spaces, freedom and aspirations have been curtailed through unfair social and economic practices. Women who contribute to the wealth of this country have the right to demand that their voices be heard.

We demand accountability from those who have been the cause of this plight of our country. We demand a healthy economic and political vision for our country which includes adequate investment in health, education and care services that would improve human productivity and the overall wellbeing of the people of Sri Lanka and urge reduced spending on defense.

We need solutions and interventions that take into account the pressing concerns of women, working people and the marginalised communities of our country, who make the majority of this country.

Call for urgent action:

1. Nominate women and men who have no allegations of corruption, hold a vision and a love for their country, to seats of authority. Appoint a minister of finance who has the relevant expertise in the field. Call for the immediate resignation of all political figures who have failed our country.

2. As an urgent measure, expedite the establishment of the National Commission of Women as proposed in the Sri Lanka Women’s Charter.

3. Strengthen the Samurdhi and Cooperative systems and increase budget allocations to these institutions to enable non-discriminatory distribution of essential ration items to all households.

4. Ensure immediate food security through:

a. imposing strict price controls on goods especially essential food items, kerosene and gas.

b. providing urgent support and subsidies to the farmer and fisher communities.

c. providing nutrition packages for pregnant and lactating mothers as per budget 2022, ensuring school midday meals programme and household level relief for children.

5. Take immediate State action to restore the smooth functioning of the Health sector with adequate supply of medicines, essential medical equipment, health products and reproductive health services throughout the country.

6. Set up urgent support schemes with efficient officers who are not corrupt who would offer their services without prejudice and discrimination and address issues of starvation, homelessness, destitution and all forms of violence against women. Ensure timely responses and a people centered approach at all times.

7. Utilize public revenue to set in motion social security programmes that would ease the present crisis.

8. Ensure equal representation of capable women who are themselves affected, in advisory boards, committees and in all planning measures that address the current crisis.

9. Above all – refrain from using state violence, threats and manipulations on peaceful protests and people’s spaces and urge all politicians to desist from inciting communal violence.

We urge all citizens’ collectives – women’s collectives, trade unions, student movements, religious institutions cooperatives, farmer & fisher collectives, NGOs, all professional bodies and progressive political movements to join us in our call for urgent action in addressing this nationwide humanitarian emergency that if left unattended will destroy our country and our future generations.

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Business

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector records 5.42% growth for January-November 2025: November slight dip

Published

10 hours ago

2026/01/3

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry delivered a robust performance during the first eleven months of 2025, with cumulative exports reaching US$4,571.99 million marking a 5.42% increase over the same period last year, according to data released today by the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF).

Sri Lanka’s total apparel exports for November 2025 reached US$367.60 million, representing a slight decrease of 1.96% compared to US$374.94 million in November 2024.

The monthly performance showed mixed results across key markets: United States: US$152.32 million (up 5.79% from US$143.98 million), European Union (excluding UK): US$119.61 million (up 3.35% from US$115.73 million), United Kingdom: US$43.63 million (down 13.83% from US$50.63 million), Other Markets: US$52.04 million (down 19.44% from US$64.60 million)

Strong cumulative performance: January-November 2025

Despite the November softness, cumulative apparel exports for the eleven-month period from January to November 2025 demonstrate solid growth, reaching US$4,571.99 million—a 5.42% increase over the corresponding period in 2024 (US$4,336.84 million).

Year-to-Date Performance by Market:

European Union (excluding UK): US$1,435.39 million (up 13.07%)

Other Markets: US$742.98 million (up 5.75%)

United States: US$1,769.08 million (up 1.73%)

United Kingdom: US$624.54 million (down 0.22%)

Commenting on the export data, JAAF stated “The 5.42% growth in our cumulative exports for the first eleven months of 2025 reflects the resilience and adaptability of Sri Lanka’s apparel sector in navigating a challenging global environment. While we experienced a modest 1.96% decline in November, this should be viewed within the broader context of our strong year-to-date performance.

“Particularly encouraging is our 13.07% growth in the European Union market, which demonstrates the success of our strategic focus on strengthening relationships with EU buyers and meeting their increasingly stringent sustainability and compliance requirements. Similarly, our continued growth in the US market, despite tighter margins, shows that Sri Lankan manufacturers remain competitive on quality, delivery, and ethical manufacturing standards”.

Business

Sri Lanka highlighted as a popular tourism hotspot among South Korean travelers

Published

10 hours ago

2026/01/3

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka Tourism, in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Korea, is providing support for the two VVIP South Korean Buddhist delegations visiting the country, demonstrating solidarity and strengthening cultural and religious ties with Sri Lanka.

The first delegation included Anunayake thero of Jogye order , South Korean chief Buddhist monks and devotees arrived in Sri Lanka consisting of 120 , on 01st December 2025, with the intention of undertaking a pilgrimage tour and highlighting Sri Lanka’s importance as a major Buddhist attraction for Buddhists around the world.

As same as the first delegation, the second VVIP Buddhist delegation which arrived on the 10th of December, 2025, was also given warm and a colorful welcome at the Bandaranaike International Airport, complete with a Cultural Dance troupe and a group of Sri Lankan children to greet them upon their arrival, making them feel at home and happy to see such a sensational sight. Ms . Thanuja Muniweera , Deputy Director and also the officer in charge of the Korean Market , was there to welcome the much revered guests . The delegation consisted of 150 visitors including both priests and devotees.

Led by Ven . Hyeil, , Chief priest of Haeinsa Temple , the main purpose of this visit is to show Sri Lanka as a welcoming and culturally vibrant destination. This will be a great opportunity to show the importance of the Korean Market as an emerging market and also promote Buddhist and Pilgrimage Tourism. South Koreans are known to be travelling in large numbers, including December 2025. The South Korean Buddhist delegation is one such example.

Business

Sunshine Holdings joins S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index

Published

10 hours ago

2026/01/3

Thilina Walpola

Shyam Sathasivam

Diversified conglomerate Sunshine Holdings PLC (CSE: SUN) has been included in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index, following the 2025 year-end index rebalance announced by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and S&P Dow Jones Indices. The inclusion takes effect from 22 December 2025, after market closing on 19 December 2025.

The S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index represents the 20 largest and most liquid companies listed on the CSE, selected based on stringent criteria including market capitalisation, liquidity, financial viability and sustained profitability. Constituents are weighted by float-adjusted market capitalisation, with a single-stock caps to ensure balanced representation.

Commenting on the milestone, Sunshine Holdings Group Chief Executive Officer, Shyam Sathasivam, said, “Our inclusion in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 is the result of more than five decades of collective effort and perseverance by our people, past and present, who have built Sunshine Holdings into the institution it is today. This recognition reflects the strength of our foundations, the discipline with which we have grown, and the consistency of our performance across business cycles. As we move forward, we remain focused on building resilient businesses, upholding strong governance standards and delivering sustainable long-term value to all stakeholders.”

The S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index is constructed in line with global index methodologies and international best practices, with all constituents classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®). Eligibility requires a minimum float-adjusted market capitalisation of Rs. 500 million, a six-month median daily value traded of Rs. 250,000, and positive net income over the twelve months preceding the rebalancing reference date.

Sunshine Holdings’ inclusion in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 reflects the Group’s long-term capital markets journey, evolving from a closely held family enterprise into a widely held blue-chip listed company. Over the years, the Group has focused on building institutional credibility, strengthening governance standards and expanding its shareholder base, resulting in a current market capitalisation of approximately LKR 70 billion, underscoring its scale and relevance within the Colombo Stock Exchange.