EDB orientates new Heads of Sri Lanka Missions to boost export promotion drive

The Export Development Board (EDB) recently conducted a comprehensive orientation program for newly appointed Heads of Sri Lanka Missions overseas, aimed at strengthening collaboration between diplomatic missions and the EDB in advancing the country’s export and trade promotion efforts.

The program provided participants with an in-depth overview of Sri Lanka’s export landscape, strategic priorities and national export targets, while underscoring the critical role of overseas Missions in supporting trade, investment promotion and market access for Sri Lankan exporters.

The session commenced with welcome remarks by EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe, followed by self-introductions by the Heads of Missions. Senior officials from the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry and the EDB also took part in the discussions.

Among the newly appointed Heads of Missions who participated were High Commissioner to Malaysia Dharshana M. Perera; Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva D.M.S.P. Dassanayake; Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Austria Dayani Mendis; Ambassador to Romania S.P.W. Pathirana; Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union N.I.D. Paranavitana; Ambassador to Israel Saman Kumara Chandrasiri; High Commissioner to Kenya Dhammika Fernando; and Representative to Palestine M. Fawzer Farook.

The diplomatic group also included Ambassador to Lebanon Anura Withanage; Ambassador to Iran Prof. M.I. Fazeeha Azmi; Consul General to Los Angeles B.A.D.A.P. Perera; Consul General to Toronto S.D.M. Peiris; and Consul General to Jeddah M.T. Mohamed Laffar. In addition, D.D.P. Senanayake participated in the program, while awaiting his formal designation and country assignment.

During the orientation, Wijesinghe delivered a detailed presentation on Sri Lanka’s export performance trends, global market positioning and the EDB’s strategic approach to export development. He highlighted the importance of close coordination between Sri Lanka Missions and the EDB, particularly in identifying new market opportunities, addressing trade barriers and facilitating business connections for exporters in both traditional and emerging markets.

Further insights were provided by EDB Acting Director Market Development Division Saumya Kannangara, who outlined bilateral trade performance, priority export sectors and untapped export potential in the markets represented by the Heads of Missions. 

She noted the catalytic role Missions can play in trade facilitation, buyer identification and market intelligence gathering.

A major focus of the program was the upcoming Sri Lanka Expo 2026, the country’s flagship international trade promotion event. The EDB stressed the importance of active engagement by Sri Lanka Missions in promoting the Expo, disseminating information among trade bodies and potential buyers, and encouraging investor and buyer delegations to visit Sri Lanka.

The program concluded with a discussion on the way forward, reaffirming the need for enhanced collaboration between the EDB and overseas Missions to strengthen Sri Lanka’s export performance. The newly appointed Heads of Missions expressed their commitment to supporting export promotion initiatives, facilitating buyer linkages and actively promoting key national trade events, including Sri Lanka Expo 2026.

The EDB said it looks forward to sustained partnerships with Sri Lanka Missions worldwide to expand the country’s global trade footprint, diversify export markets and contribute to sustainable economic growth.