The growth and competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel industry will depend on innovation, efficiency and the adoption of new technology, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti said on Wednesday.
Handunnetti was speaking at the opening of Intex – InMac Sri Lanka 2026, a regional textile and apparel technology exhibition, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo.
The apparel sector remains Sri Lanka’s largest export-earning industry and a central pillar of the economy, he said, and the exhibition should act as a catalyst for investment, technology transfer and the introduction of modern solutions to strengthen the industry’s position in global markets.
Eravur park and training
The minister said the government intends to make significant investments in developing the Eravur Textile Park, and to strengthen education and training through the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel (SLITA).
He also said discussions had been held with his Indian counterpart during the recent Bharat Tex exhibition in India, covering the Free Trade Agreement, garment quotas and GSP+ concessions.
Handunnetti invited industry stakeholders to take part in Expo 2027, scheduled for the BMICH from January 14 to 17, 2027, and stressed the need for continued collaboration to build up Sri Lanka’s export industries.
At the opening
The exhibition runs until August 7 and features more than 250 exhibitors from over 15 countries, showing technology and innovations across the textile and apparel sector.
The opening was attended by Industrial Development Board Chairman Yasas Hewage, Export Development Board Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe, Joint Apparel Association Forum Chairman Felix Fernando, government officials, ambassadors and foreign representatives.
Sources: Daily Mirror.
