Sri Lanka’s apparel industry made a significant impact at Source Fashion London 2026, held from January 13th to 15th at Olympia London, United Kingdom, solidifying the nation’s status as a reliable and competitive global sourcing destination.
The Sri Lanka Pavilion, which included 20 stalls, showcased leading apparel manufacturers, among them 12 small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). Organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka High Commission in the United Kingdom, the pavilion aimed to attract new buyers and strengthen apparel exports to the UK market.
This participation held particular significance as Sri Lankan garment exports have enjoyed duty-free access to the UK market since January 1st, 2026. Under the newly liberalized trade framework, Sri Lankan manufacturers can source up to 100% of their inputs from any country worldwide while maintaining duty-free entry into the UK. The revised rules eliminate previous constraints, such as the requirement for two substantial manufacturing processes to be conducted locally, thus enhancing exporters’ flexibility, competitiveness, and cost efficiency.
The exhibition was ceremonially opened on January 13th, 2026, with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony at the Sri Lanka Pavilion. Dignitaries such as His Excellency Nimal Senadheera, Sri Lanka High Commissioner, Lord Hannett of Everton, the UK’s Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka, and Mr. Binupa Liyanage, Board Director of the EDB, were joined by exhibitors, officials from the High Commission, and EDB representatives. The pavilion highlighted exhibitors from the apparel, textile, and accessories sectors, emphasizing Sri Lanka’s diverse manufacturing capabilities and commitment to international quality, ethical, and sustainability standards.
A stall promoting “Creative Sri Lanka 2030” was also featured at the pavilion, offering a platform to showcase the country’s vibrant creative industry. Five Sri Lankan brands from the creative sector displayed their products, underscoring Sri Lanka’s innovation, craftsmanship, and design excellence. This initiative promoted the diversity of Sri Lanka’s export offerings and created new opportunities for creative industry brands to engage with international buyers and expand their global market presence.
A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of Sri Lanka’s National Export Brand, “Your Vital Island,” on the exhibition’s opening day. Built on the core values of sustainability, competence, and authenticity, the brand embodies the essence of Sri Lanka’s export offerings. Its launch marked a significant milestone for the national export sector, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative, and ethically produced goods while preserving its unique national identity.
In addition to the main exhibition, several parallel events, including catwalk sessions, panel discussions, and guest speaker forums, enhanced the platform’s vibrancy. Selected products from Sri Lankan companies were featured during the catwalk shows, offering increased visibility and deeper engagement with international buyers and fashion industry stakeholders.
Demonstrating Sri Lanka’s readiness to meet the evolving demands of the global apparel industry, Mr. Jeevith Senaratne, Director of Operations at Star Garments (Pvt) Ltd. and Deputy Chairman of the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association, participated as a panelist. Addressing the topic “Intelligent Fashion – Using AI to Design, Plan, and Produce Better,” he highlighted Sri Lanka’s forward-looking approach and growing adoption of advanced technologies in apparel manufacturing.
As the apex organization responsible for export development and promotion, the EDB continues to pursue innovative strategies to enhance Sri Lanka’s presence in global markets. Sri Lanka’s successful participation at Source Fashion London 2026 reflects this ongoing commitment, focusing on expanding apparel exports to the UK by leveraging the benefits of the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and positioning the country as a sustainable, ethical, and competitive sourcing destination on the global stage.
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