Sri Lanka’s apparel industry made a landmark appearance at Source Fashion 2026, Europe’s premier apparel sourcing event, with the country’s first-ever national pavilion. The exhibition, held at Olympia London, brought together global buyers, designers, and industry leaders to explore sourcing opportunities and showcase cutting-edge fashion solutions.
The pavilion was officially inaugurated on 13 January with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the UK Nimal Senadheera and UK Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka Lord Hannett of Everton OBE. The event drew representatives from Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, government officials, exhibitors, and industry stakeholders from both the UK and Europe.
Organized jointly by the Export Development Board (EDB), the Sri Lankan apparel industry, and the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK, the pavilion aimed to strengthen trade ties, expand buyer networks, and position Sri Lanka as a preferred sourcing destination in the UK and European markets.
The Sri Lankan pavilion featured 20 exhibitor booths, including 12 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), presenting locally made apparel, textiles, handmade items, and value-added solutions for both industrial and consumer markets. Key themes of the showcase included sustainability, transparency, innovation, and long-term partnerships. Participating brands included Star Garments Group, Insomnia, J K Garments (Pvt.) Ltd, New Universe Clothing SL, Protector Clothing Manufacturers, Janasri Mills, Pridemo Apparel, Senvin Collection, True Digital Printing, Concord Manufacturing, Kobithan Garments, Hayleys Free Zone Ltd, JAS Activewear, Krisherert Holdings, Jia Moda, Randhi International, and the “Creative Sri Lanka” booth, alongside the EDB booth.
Sri Lanka’s apparel also featured prominently in Source Fashion catwalk shows, demonstrating the country’s design and manufacturing expertise alongside top international brands. The pavilion highlighted Sri Lanka’s competitive edge, particularly with new trade opportunities under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which came into effect on 1 January 2026. The scheme’s flexible Rules of Origin and zero import duty provide Sri Lankan apparel exports greater access to the UK market.
The country’s debut pavilion underscored Sri Lanka’s reputation as a sustainable, resilient, and innovative apparel sourcing hub, reflecting global market expectations and evolving supply chain requirements. The initiative also aligns with the Government of Sri Lanka’s vision to promote exports and elevate the apparel industry on international platforms.
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