Sri Lanka’s apparel industry has reinforced its position as a global leader in ethical manufacturing at a high-level forum held in Colombo on 13 January 2026, bringing together local and international experts to examine how social sustainability can strengthen the country’s export performance.

Hosted at the Taj Samudra, the event gathered representatives from Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), Intertek, the Joint Apparel Association Forum of Sri Lanka (JAAF), leading apparel manufacturers and sustainability specialists. Discussions focused on how Sri Lanka can maintain and extend its competitive edge as global markets introduce increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.

Delivering the keynote address, Avedis Seferian, President and CEO of WRAP, spoke about the accelerating global momentum behind sustainability and the strategic advantage Sri Lanka has built over decades. He highlighted those major markets, particularly the US and EU, are moving rapidly towards mandatory human rights due diligence, transparency and traceability, making sustainability central to continued market access.

Seferian noted that WRAP certified its first Sri Lankan facility in 2003 and that early initiatives such as Garments Without Guilt laid the groundwork for today’s compliance-driven environment. What began as a values-led commitment has now evolved into a clear economic opportunity as buyers increasingly prioritise verified ethical production.

Yohan Lawrence, Secretary General of JAAF, followed by emphasising that sustainability has moved beyond branding to become a core determinant of economic resilience. He stressed that Sri Lanka must view sustainability as a long-term competitive advantage rather than a regulatory obligation, particularly as expectations around responsible sourcing continue to rise in key export markets.

The forum also highlighted the growing importance of data and digital traceability, as global brands demand real-time, verifiable insight across the supply chain. Traceability was described as a critical enabler of trust, with increasing interest in platforms that integrate social audit data into transparent sourcing systems.

A panel discussion featuring Seferian, Lawrence, Amanthi Perera of MAS Holdings and Senura Dharmadasa of Star Garments, moderated by Sumith Siriwardana of Courtaulds Group, explored how certification and structured governance frameworks can support compliance with emerging legislation, improve risk management and enhance worker wellbeing. Case studies demonstrated how strong social sustainability practices can also help attract sustainable financing.

As the event concluded, participants agreed that Sri Lanka’s long-standing commitment to responsible manufacturing positions it strongly for the future. With global regulations tightening and buyers demanding greater transparency, sustainability is no longer an optional add-on but a defining strategy for growth.

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