Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Wednesday, 1 October 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry recently hosted a dynamic workshop at EDB Head Office to boost the international visibility of Sri Lanka’s creative textile sector.
The program aimed to enhance awareness among government institutions operating under the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development about domestic and international market opportunities and to facilitate easier market access for creative textile products mainly handloom and batik industries.
Sharing their expertise, Buddhi Batiks Ltd., Chief Executive Officer Darshi Kirthisena shared her insights on “Presenting Batik Products to the Modern Fashion Market”, demonstrating how traditional batik art can be adapted for global consumers.
University of Kelaniya Department of Marketing Management Senior Lecturer Dr. G. Nilantha Roshan Perera conducted a session on “Developing a Global Textile Brand” where he shared valuable insights on branding strategies, market positioning, and the importance of storytelling in building internationally competitive textile brands.
Adding a practical dimension, Loom & Bean (ApiHappi) Co-Founders Itosha Lankathilaka and Aparna Samarakoon shared their inspiring export success story showcasing how traditional Sri Lankan products can capture international markets.
Meanwhile, Dr. Thushari Vanniarachchi from the University of Moratuwa emphasised stronger collaboration between fashion design institutions and government textile centres, while Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel (SLITA) Senior Technologist Sarath Wijayabahu outlined SLITA’s critical role in skills training, product innovation, and certification.
The event drew the participation of senior officials including Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Additional Secretary – Traditional Industry Development Subhadra Walpola, Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel (SLITA) Director General Tharanga Nalan Gamlath, EDB Acting Additional Director General – Development Kumuduni Mudalige and Director – Industrial Products Manoja Dissanayake, alongside provincial industry directors, textile centre managers, and EDB officers.
This initiative marks an important step in linking Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage with global fashion trends, paving the way for enhanced exports, sustainable livelihoods, and a stronger international presence for the island’s creative textile sectors including the handloom and batik industry.
