Thursday Mar 05, 2026
Thursday Mar 05, 2026
Thursday, 5 March 2026 03:43 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Regional Exporters Networking Forum for the Southern Province, organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), was successfully held in Matara recently. The primary objectives of the forum were to identify challenges faced by regional exporters and to explore new export opportunities.
Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi, participated as the Chief Guest, providing exporters with a special opportunity to directly present their issues to the Minister.
A number of senior Government officials and policymakers’ representatives attended the forum, including Hambantota District MP Nihal Galappatti, EDB Chairman/CEO Mangala Wijesinghe, Entrepreneurship Development Authority Chairman Lakshman Abeysekara, Southern Province Industrial Development Authority Chairman Sarath Samarasekara, Southern Province Industries Ministry Secretary Ranjith Yapa, and Matara District Secretary Chandana Thilakarathna.
In addition, Provincial Secretaries, Acting Director of EDB Regional Development Division D.M.P. Dasanayake, Southern Province office officials, and nearly 250 exporters representing the districts of Galle, Matara, Hambantota, and Monaragala also participated.
Prior to the forum, the EDB’s Southern Province Office collected specific issues and proposals from exporters, which made the discussions more productive and effective. Through this initiative, it is expected to minimise regional export disparities and enhance the overall export performance of Sri Lanka.
