Sri Lanka’s export sector, heavily battered by weeks of severe weather, is receiving an urgent boost as the Export Development Board (EDB) rolls out a rapid relief and recovery programme to stabilise operations, restore supply chains and safeguard export earnings during a critical period for the economy.
At a high-level meeting held at the EDB, senior state officials and key exporters convened to assess the extent of the damage and identify immediate interventions.
The EDB confirmed that comprehensive on-ground damage assessments have already begun across the most heavily affected export-oriented enterprises. These findings will form the basis for targeted relief initiatives designed to stabilise production, revive supply lines and minimise revenue losses over the next several weeks.
Wijesinghe stressed that the Board is implementing strategic short-term interventions to prevent export disruptions from escalating. Key priorities include protecting production capacity, ensuring exporters can maintain shipment commitments, and supporting industries struggling with halted raw-material supplies. The EDB is also working to reactivate broken supply chains an essential step toward restoring normal export operations and maintaining Sri Lanka’s credibility in global markets.
Recognising widespread logistical delays caused by the extreme weather, the Board has initiated close coordination with customs, port authorities and logistics providers. These efforts aim to fast-track export-related clearance procedures and minimise congestion at key transit points.
A major focus of government support is now directed toward Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) a segment particularly vulnerable to weather-related shocks and infrastructure failures. Officials stressed that enabling SMEs to resume operations swiftly is vital not only to protect thousands of jobs but also to sustain broader export-sector contributions to national income.
During the discussion, participants highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disruptions, warning that the export sector must adopt stronger resilience measures. Officials emphasised that environmental challenges are no longer isolated events but recurring threats requiring sustained and forward-looking strategies.
To address this, the EDB is encouraging exporters to integrate sustainability-driven practices, expand green technologies and adopt production models better suited to a climate-vulnerable landscape. Such approaches, the Board said, are essential to preserving long-term competitiveness and maintaining Sri Lanka’s reputation as a reliable trading partner.
The EDB reiterated that its rapid recovery programme aims not only to manage today’s crisis but also to strengthen the export sector’s ability to withstand future climate shocks ensuring growth, stability and resilience in a fast-changing global environment.
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