Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the crucial role of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry in driving economic development, calling it a ‘global leader’ in ethical and sustainable manufacturing.
Speaking at the 42nd Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA), she applauded the sector’s resilience and its significant contribution to export revenue. Dr. Amarasuriya also discussed the Government’s commitment to achieving an $8 billion export revenue target for the industry this year through policy stability and infrastructure improvements.
The Prime Minister underscored the potential of the apparel sector not only as an industrial powerhouse but also as a model of inclusivity and resilience. She stressed the importance of ethical and sustainable business practices and highlighted the Government’s support for training programs to align with the sector’s evolving needs.
Dr. Amarasuriya further acknowledged the contributions of the apparel industry, which generates over 31% of Sri Lanka’s total export earnings, and celebrated the election of Rajitha Jayasuriya as the first female chairperson of SLAEA. She praised the 350,000-strong workforce, particularly the women, for their dedication and resilience, asserting their transformative impact on the industry and the broader economy.
The Prime Minister called for continued innovation, workforce empowerment, and sustainability efforts, such as the creation of green and carbon-neutral factories, to position Sri Lanka as a global leader in ethical manufacturing.