The Fabric & Apparel Accessory Manufacturers Association has reappointed Husni Salieh of Noyon Lanka as chairman for 2026/27, setting the industry a target of replacing up to US$1 billion of imported raw materials with locally sourced inputs.

The appointment was made at FAAMA’s annual general meeting on 25 September at the Hilton Colombo, Lanka Business Online reported. Duminda Hulangamuwa, chairman of the Board of Investment, attended virtually as chief guest; Mangala Wijesinghe, chairman of the Export Development Board, was guest of honour in person.

The arithmetic behind the target

Salieh put the fabric and accessory industry’s contribution at US$800 million to US$1 billion of Sri Lanka’s roughly US$5 billion in apparel and textile exports — while noting that a significant share of raw materials is still imported.

“There is a billion-dollar opportunity for more locally sourced raw materials as apparel in the country looks to grow from 5 billion to 8 billion by 2030,” he said. “Many of the challenges our industry faces cannot be addressed by any one company, association or institution working independently. They require a collective industry response.”

The EDB framed the same gap from the import side, pointing to textile imports of nearly US$2.7 billion as the opening for local producers. “If we can support these industries, we can save a lot of foreign exchange and strengthen the sector,” its representative said.

Wijesinghe said apparel accounts for more than 30% of Sri Lanka’s exports, at close to US$5.5 billion. Exports have softened this year on weaker global demand linked to the Middle East conflict, but the EDB projects average export growth of around 7% and GDP growth of around 6%.

Compliance as a selling point

On tightening EU rules, the EDB acknowledged higher compliance costs, particularly for smaller firms. “If Sri Lankan exporters use international standards, with circularity, low-carbon production and better traceability, we can differentiate ourselves from competitors and gain strong market access,” it said.

Over the past year FAAMA has worked with the Joint Apparel Association Forum, the BOI and the EDB on a common apparel strategy to 2030, held closed-door sessions with large manufacturers, run seminars on tax and export regulation, and worked with the Vocational Training Institute on technical skills. Members’ concerns — including the abolition of SVAT and foreign currency payment thresholds — were raised with the President, the BOI and the EDB.

JAAF chairman Felix Fernando said he was confident the new leadership “will help strengthen Sri Lanka’s local fabric and accessories supply chain and drive the industry towards our 2030 goals.”

The committee

Serving under Salieh are Niroshan Samarasinhe (Stretchline) and Shahid Sangani (Dynawash) as vice chairmen, Shehan Olegasageram (Compreli Consulting) as secretary and Suranga Gallage (Antler Fabric Printers) as treasurer. The executive committee also includes representatives of Teejay Lanka, American & Efird, Best Pacific Textiles Lanka, Shore to Shore, Ocean Lanka, Wilkins Spence Packaging Lanka and Prym Intimates Lanka.

Note on sourcing. FAAMA’s AGMs are an annual fixture and past years’ coverage is easily mistaken for current reporting — Ada Derana’s business desk carries the association’s 17th AGM, held at Jetwing Colombo Seven in October 2024 under a different chairman, and Daily FT covered the 2025 meeting. Neither relates to this week’s announcement. No other verified newsroom had filed its own account of the 2026/27 appointments at the time of writing.