The Exporters Association of Sri Lanka (EASL) has expressed its approval of the country’s dedication to meeting globally recognized labor standards and its efforts to eradicate forced labor within supply chains.
As a nation that relies heavily on exports, it is crucial for Sri Lanka to foster confidence in its trade environment and adhere to international commitments.
The Association acknowledges that while new regulations banning the import of goods produced under forced labor conditions have been officially announced, the detailed operational guidelines for these regulations have yet to be established.
As the leading body representing exporters, the EASL is eager to maintain an ongoing dialogue with governmental authorities regarding the effective implementation of these new regulations. Safeguarding supply chains is essential, as is ensuring the swift processing of cargo at Colombo’s ports.
Without a well-defined and internationally aligned framework for implementing these regulations, there is a potential for uncertainty, higher compliance costs, delays in shipments, increased administrative burdens, and disruptions to legitimate trade.
In light of this, the EASL kindly urges the Government to hold structured discussions with exporters, importers, chambers of commerce, logistics providers, and other relevant stakeholders prior to the introduction of operational procedures.
The Association also suggests that Sri Lanka utilize a risk-based enforcement approach that aligns with international best practices, concentrating on high-risk products, supply chains, and jurisdictions rather than imposing uniform documentation requirements for every import transaction. Furthermore, EASL encourages the Department of Customs to release detailed implementation guidelines, including acceptable documentation standards, verification methods, and reasonable transition timelines before enforcement begins.
“Exporters from Sri Lanka are fully committed to promoting ethical trade and eradicating forced labor from global supply chains. Nevertheless, any new compliance framework must be accompanied by clear implementation guidelines and substantial stakeholder engagement to ensure that legitimate trade remains unaffected. A transparent, practical, and risk-based methodology will facilitate the regulation’s goals while maintaining Sri Lanka’s competitive edge as a trading nation,” stated Nalaka Ratnayake, Chairman of the Exporters Association of Sri Lanka.
About EASL: The Exporters Association of Sri Lanka represents a diverse range of exporters and collaborates closely with policymakers and stakeholders to advocate for policies that strengthen Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness, facilitate trade, and promote sustainable economic development.
Nalaka Ratnayake
Chairman
Exporters Association of Sri Lanka
Financial Chronicle Biz English | Sri Lanka Business News.
