Business
SLAEA president encourages foreign investment in sustainable fabric manufacturing at Shanghai conference
The Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA) participated in the 16th Global Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Conference held in Shanghai, China recently with a focus on innovation and the development of national high-end textile advanced manufacturing clusters.
Representing Sri Lanka at the annual conference, President of SLAEA Indika Liyanahewage spoke on ‘Green dynamics and intelligent empowerment’ with special emphasis on sustainable fabric manufacturing.
“Apparel is a significant industry in Sri Lanka, accounting for 6 percent of our country’s GDP, providing employment to 350,000 individuals,” stated Liyanahewage. “Despite challenges brought about by COVID-19, followed by the economic crisis that led to double-digit inflation, the industry continued business operations.”
Providing an overview of the current state of Sri Lanka’s economy, Liyanahewage noted that with domestic debt restructuring now completed and the second tranche of the IMF being worked on, the country is on the path to stability.
He further emphasized that the country’s apparel sector had placed sustainability and compliance at the core of its agenda, with the majority of its members embracing WRAP, LEED and GOTS certifications. “The sector has over 70 MW of installed rooftop solar power capacity and we continue to invest in renewable energy. We are passionate about sustainability, a commitment that is driven on a top-down approach. A number of apparel manufacturers are truly dedicated to circularity, with many green factories emerging and material recycling becoming an important aspect of our efforts.”
SLAEA also called for further collaboration in fabric manufacturing and innovation. “While most of the yarn and materials are imported from China, the growing demand for organic or recycled fabric necessitates a stronger partnership. The Eravur Fabric Park in the East coast of Sri Lanka will play a pivotal role in this. We invite investors and fabric manufacturers to collaborate, as this will enable faster turnaround times and increase our production capabilities.”
Spanning over 300 acres, the zone offers opportunities for various verticals related to textile manufacturing. Manufacturers can establish plants in the zone and reduce material lead times with locally sourced fabric, thereby reducing input costs. Some of the key incentives for manufacturers include 5-10 year tax holidays for exports, zero percent duties and taxes on imported raw materials, tax exemptions and 100 percent repatriation of profits.
“Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean is an advantage we must harness,” Liyanahewage stressed.
The 16th Global Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Conference had the participation of high-ranking officials from the Chinese government and key stakeholders in apparel manufacturing including fabric, yarn, trims suppliers and apparel manufacturers from around the world. The three day event also witnessed the appointment of an expert committee for high-end textiles.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Eventistry Sports, a trailblazer in innovative sporting events, has unveiled the Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), the nation’s first franchise-based padel tournament, set to debut in June 2025. This groundbreaking league promises to redefine Sri Lanka’s sports landscape by creating a dynamic national platform for athletes while fostering unity among fans, brands, and communities.
The SLPL will showcase six franchise teams, each embodying the spirit of iconic Sri Lankan locales: the Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers, and Trinco Warriors. These teams will not only ignite regional pride but also unite the country through a shared passion for padel—a fast-paced racquet sport merging tennis and squash, played on enclosed courts.
“The SLPL is more than a league; it’s a movement,” declared Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports. “By blending franchise sports with Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, we’re creating a platform where players gain national recognition, fans rally behind their hometown heroes, and brands engage with communities in meaningful ways.”
The league’s launch on June 21–23, 2025, at Colombo’s Padel House courts (CR&FC) will kick off with three days of high-octane matches, preceded by a star-studded player auction on May 16th at The Vault, Colombo City Centre. Local talent—both professional and intermediate—will be drafted by franchise owners, with international registrations now open to elevate the competition’s global appeal.
Please log in to: www.slpadelleague.com and social media: @SriLankaPadelLeague (Facebook & Instagram) for more information.
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