FCCISL congratulates EDB on Sri Lanka’s exports surpassing $ 9 b in first half of 2026

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), under the leadership of its President, Dr. Rohitha Silva, together with the Board of Directors and FCCISL State Affairs Committee Chairman Ruwan De Silva in a statement extended its warmest congratulations to Sri Lanka Export Development Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe, and the entire EDB team on the significant achievement of Sri Lanka’s total exports surpassing $ 9 billion during the first half of 2026.

This important national milestone reflects the dedication, commitment and visionary leadership of Mangala Wijesinghe, together with the professionalism and sustained efforts of the EDB team and the resilience, innovation and determination of Sri Lanka’s export community.

 Wijesinghe’s leadership in facilitating export growth, encouraging innovation, addressing longstanding institutional challenges and guiding the sector through increasingly complex and evolving global market conditions is highly commendable. His commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness and creating new opportunities for local enterprises represents an important contribution to the country’s economic recovery and future development.

FCCISL also acknowledges with appreciation the active guidance, close cooperation and dedicated leadership extended by Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti, and Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe. The Federation further recognises the valuable support, commitment and coordination provided by the Secretary to the Ministry and the entire ministry team in creating an enabling institutional and policy environment to advance Sri Lanka’s export sector and broader national economic objectives.

FCCISL firmly believes that increasing export revenue and foreign-exchange earnings is essential to restoring economic stability and placing Sri Lanka on a stronger and more sustainable path towards economic recovery and growth. This is particularly important as the country continues to navigate the cumulative consequences of the Easter Sunday attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, the prolonged economic crisis and ongoing global conflicts and disruptions affecting international trade, supply chains, energy costs, logistics and access to international markets.

The achievement of an estimated $ 9,012.24 million in combined merchandise and services exports between January and June 2026, representing an 8% year-on-year increase, provides renewed confidence in the resilience, competitiveness and future potential of Sri Lanka’s export sector.

Despite high energy and utility costs, significant tax burdens, and complex statutory and regulatory compliance challenges, this achievement clearly demonstrates the resilience of Sri Lanka’s exporters and the considerable potential of the export sector to expand further and contribute more strongly to national economic recovery and sustainable growth.

The newly formed FCCISL State Affairs Committee, chaired by Ruwan De Silva and functioning under the guidance and leadership of FCCISL President Dr. Rohitha Silva and the Board of Directors, provides an ideal institutional platform for building closer collaboration, constructive engagement and effective cooperation between FCCISL and the Government.

Through FCCISL’s extensive nationwide network of district chambers, sectoral chambers, trade associations, business associations and affiliated institutions, the State Affairs Committee seeks to facilitate structured engagement with the Export Development Board, the Ministry and other relevant public institutions.

This collaborative platform can contribute towards identifying regional and sector-specific business priorities, strengthening exporter readiness, expanding participation in international markets, supporting effective policy coordination and addressing the institutional and operational constraints faced by enterprises throughout the country.

FCCISL said it looks forward to engaging more actively and constructively with the Export Development Board under the visionary leadership of Mangala Wijesinghe. The Federation wishes to work closely with the EDB, the Ministry and other relevant stakeholders to promote innovation, facilitate market expansion, strengthen regional enterprises and enable businesses across Sri Lanka to contribute more effectively to the country’s export and economic-development objectives.

FCCISL said it remains committed to building a strong and meaningful partnership between the public and private sectors and supporting the achievement of Sri Lanka’s future export targets through its nationwide district and sectoral chamber network.