The Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP) recently marked its 40th anniversary, celebrating four decades of contribution to the growth and global recognition of Sri Lanka’s value-added rubber products industry.
The commemorative event brought together industry leaders, government officials, and key stakeholders to reflect on SLAMERP’s journey since its establishment in 1986. Over the past 40 years, the association has grown from a small group of industry pioneers into the apex body representing one of Sri Lanka’s most innovative and globally competitive manufacturing sectors. The event also included a special recognition ceremony honouring past presidents of SLAMERP for their leadership and contribution to strengthening the industry.
Among the distinguished attendees were Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Hon. Sunil Handunnetti and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) Mangala Wijesinghe, who served as Guest of Honour. Senior government officials, past presidents, industry leaders, local and international business partners, and member companies also participated in the event.
The current Board of Management of SLAMERP for 2026/27 comprises Chairman Pushpika Janadheera, Vice Chairman Chinthaka Wegapitiya, Secretary Channa De Silva, Treasurer Palika Chandrajeewa, and Director General Sisira Ranatunga, who continue to guide the association in strengthening Sri Lanka’s rubber products export sector.
Sri Lanka’s rubber products industry remains a key contributor to the national economy and is currently the third-largest export revenue earner. The sector has reached a milestone of USD 1 billion in export earnings, underscoring its resilience and global competitiveness.
The country continues to be recognised for its high-quality value-added rubber products, including tyres, gloves, moulded rubber components, mattresses and pillows, automotive parts, and sports goods. Sri Lanka is also a global leader in solid tyre manufacturing, supplying around 30% of global demand to internationally recognised brands.
Speaking at the event, Chairman Pushpika Janadheera reflected on the industry’s progress and future direction. He noted that SLAMERP has played a vital role over the past four decades in strengthening the sector and positioning it as a globally respected manufacturing industry. He further emphasised that going forward, the focus will be on innovation, sustainability, and workforce development to meet the demands of advanced manufacturing and automation.
“For four decades, SLAMERP has played a vital role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s rubber products industry and positioning it as a globally respected manufacturing sector. As we look ahead, our focus will be on driving innovation, strengthening sustainability, and preparing our workforce for the age of advanced manufacturing and automation. Our vision is to build an industry that is globally competitive, environmentally responsible, and capable of delivering long-term value to the national economy,” he said.
SLAMERP has consistently worked with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and other stakeholders to promote exports, improve market access, and strengthen industry capabilities through training, certification programmes, and international market exposure initiatives. The association also collaborates with government agencies in policy development aimed at enhancing local manufacturing and supporting export-oriented growth.
As it celebrates this milestone, SLAMERP remains focused on expanding export markets, promoting innovation and research, and driving the next phase of growth for Sri Lanka’s rubber products industry.
Sri Lanka Apparel Sector Must Take a New Growth Path to Reach US$8 Billion Target
Sri Lanka’s apparel industry has earned its place in the global market through consistency, trust, and a strong reputation for ethical manufacturing. Over many years, the sector has demonstrated its ability to deliver quality, compliance, and reliability at a level that global brands continue to value. This foundation remains one of its greatest strengths.
However, the next phase of growth cannot be built on reputation alone. It must be driven by measurable expansion, a broader industrial base, and greater resilience in the face of global uncertainty. As Chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum, I believe the path forward is clear: Sri Lanka must move with greater purpose towards the long-discussed ambition of becoming a US$8 billion apparel export industry.
This ambition is important because it provides a shared national direction. Yet it must now evolve beyond a headline target into a practical and coordinated economic agenda. According to published export data, Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel exports in 2025 stood at just over US$5.0 billion. While this represents a strong performance in a challenging global environment, it also highlights a significant gap between current outcomes and future aspirations. Bridging this gap will require more than incremental gains; it will demand sharper execution, stronger coordination, and a more deliberate growth strategy.
One of the most pressing challenges facing the industry is market concentration. Traditionally, Sri Lanka has relied heavily on the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, which together account for approximately 85 percent of apparel exports. These markets have provided stability and long-standing partnerships with global brands. However, such concentration also creates vulnerability. Shifts in consumer demand, evolving tariff structures, stricter compliance requirements, or changes in sourcing strategies can have immediate and widespread impacts on the industry.
For this reason, diversification must now sit at the centre of Sri Lanka’s export strategy. Achieving the US$8 billion target is unlikely without expanding into new and emerging markets. Regions such as ASEAN, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia must be developed through structured, sustained, and strategic engagement. This is not about replacing traditional markets, but about reducing risk, widening opportunity, and building a more balanced and resilient export portfolio.
Diversification, however, is not only geographic. It also requires movement up the value chain. Sri Lanka cannot compete on volume alone, nor should it attempt to do so. The country’s competitive advantage lies in being a premium sourcing destination that combines product integrity, speed, sustainability, technical capability, and increasingly, design and development input. The objective must be to position Sri Lanka not merely as a production base executing orders, but as a value-adding partner contributing insight, innovation, and expertise across the sourcing process.
This shift also requires a more disciplined approach to measuring progress. Export growth cannot be assessed solely through headline figures. It is equally important to understand the quality and composition of that growth. Key questions must guide the industry’s direction: Are we increasing our share of higher-value products? Are we successfully entering new markets? Are we improving lead times and strengthening customer relationships? Are we enhancing design capability and sustainability performance in ways that translate into higher value capture? These indicators are essential in assessing whether the industry is truly advancing.
No export sector can achieve such an ambitious target without a supportive operating environment. Strengthening Sri Lanka’s trade facilitation systems is therefore critical. Faster customs clearance, deeper digital integration across regulatory processes, reduced administrative friction, and more predictable policy frameworks are not secondary considerations—they are fundamental to competitiveness. In an industry where time-to-market is crucial, delays anywhere in the system directly affect buyer confidence, planning cycles, and future order allocation. Trade facilitation must therefore be recognised as a core driver of export growth, not merely an administrative reform agenda.
SLAMERP Marks 40 Years of Strengthening Sri Lanka’s Rubber Products Export Industry
