💰 The Economy
📰 Sri Lanka’s apparel exports surge by 22.7 percent to USD 428 million in January 2025
Sri Lanka’s apparel exports increased by 22.7 percent to USD 428.4 million in January 2025,
driven by strong demand. Textile exports increased by 3.9 percent, contributing to total textile
product exports of USD 461.3 million, which accounted for 55.67 percent of industrial exports.
Rising imports of textiles and clothing indicate growing domestic demand, as the sector
continues its recovery from declines in 2023.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/ypz7sx9s

📰 Sri Lanka signs USD 2.5 billion debt deal with Japan
On 07 March, Sri Lanka signed a USD 2.5 billion debt restructuring agreement with Japan, its
first deal with official creditors who pledged relief last year. Japan has granted concessions on
a ¥369.45 billion (USD 2.5 billion) loan under a comprehensive debt treatment plan, deemed
essential by the IMF for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/2yd2tr4m

⚖ Politics & Policy
📰 President calls for streamlined approval process for urban planning
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Urban Development Authority (UDA) officials on
12 March at the Presidential Secretariat to review ongoing development projects and ensure
the effective utilization of budget allocations, while focusing on key priorities.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/37bp4zvv

📰 Sri Lanka to introduce legislation to safeguard investors
Sri Lanka will introduce new legislation to enhance public-private partnerships and attract
foreign investment, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha
Herath announced. Speaking at the ‘Evening with Diplomats’ event organized by the Ceylon
Chamber of Commerce, he stated that the comprehensive legislation will safeguard investor
rights and foster a conducive investment environment.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/57kujt2h

📰 Japan and China to recommence 87 suspended projects
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that under the Government’s economic
policies, efforts are underway to resume 11 key projects previously halted by the Japanese
Government, including 76 projects suspended earlier by the Chinese Government.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/587vm3z7

📰 National Advisory Committee for SME development begins operations
The National Advisory Committee, which operates with the aim of identifying problems faced
by small and medium-scale entrepreneurs and providing sustainable solutions, recently
launched its activities with its first session held at the Parliamentary Complex recently.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/y5mw8ruy

📰 Cabinet consents to the amendment of the Industry Promotion Act No 46 of 1990
The Cabinet of Ministers has granted policy consent to expedite amendments to the Industry
Promotion Act No. 46 of 1990 to address contemporary industry needs in technology, trade,
skills, and environmental aspects.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/26rhs68k

📰 SLTDA discusses delays in FDI approval process
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) recently hosted a dialogue on
streamlining approval processes to reduce costs and delays, aiming to attract foreign direct
investment (FDI) and generate employment.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/wnewkc9n

!? What you need to know
📰 14th Edition of CEMS-Global USA Textile Exhibition commences in Colombo
CEMS-Global USA’s 14th Sri Lankan edition of its globally renowned Textile Series of Exhibitions
spanning three days will commence on 13 March at SLECC, Colombo 10. CEMS-Global USA Group
CEO S. S. Sarwar stated that the event will bring together leading industry players, showcasing
textile and apparel machinery, yarn, fabric, trims, accessories, dyestuff, and chemicals.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/5n85fv6u

📰 Hirdaramani joins UNDP and Lacoste Foundation to boost smallholder farming
Representatives from Hirdaramani Apparel, the Lacoste Foundation, and UNDP Sri Lanka
recently visited the Smallholder Farmer Resilience through Innovative Financing Project in
Vengala Chettikulum and Vavuniya South, as part of an ongoing initiative to empower
smallholder farmers.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/8ewtnkca

📰 Brandix receives PVH recognition as best logistics performer to the US and Canada
Brandix Apparel has been recognised as the Overall Best Performer for the third consecutive
year by global fashion giant PVH for its exports to the USA and Canada from Sri Lanka. At PVH’s
annual vendor performance workshop, held recently in Colombo, Brandix topped all key
performance indexes, scoring the highest among the PVH vendors in Sri Lanka for discipline in
document timelines, delivery timelines and booking timelines.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/bdevxe9k

📰 Hayleys Chairman’s Awards recognize excellence in innovation and ESG
The Hayleys Group celebrated excellence across its 16 business sectors at the annual
Chairman’s Awards on 21 February 2025. This year’s event recognized 200 employees from 26
project teams for outstanding contributions in innovation, ESG, service excellence, and quality
and lean management.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/5ha37mzw

Disclaimer – This Advisory is intended for circulation among JAAF stakeholders only. Please do
not circulate or share on social media. The Advisory includes economic, political, social and
governance perspectives. It draws on news reports, analyses, Government announcements and
documents, and other sources that we may be in contact with or have access to. This Advisory
was prepared by the Strategic Communications Unit of Adfactors PR Lanka. For inquiries,
contact sarah.muiz@adfactorspr.com