Monday Mar 09, 2026
Monday Mar 09, 2026
Monday, 9 March 2026 06:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka Chamber of Small and Medium Industries (SLCSMI) is launching an initiative to support the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy, the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, which is currently facing one of the most challenging periods in recent history.
Over the past few years, SMEs have endured a series of major shocks that have disrupted businesses, weakened financial stability, and threatened thousands of livelihoods across the country. The sector first experienced a significant setback following the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, which severely affected tourism, trade, and investor confidence. Soon after, the global COVID-19 pandemic brought prolonged lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, and a sharp decline in consumer demand.
As businesses attempted to recover, the country faced further instability during the Aragalaya period, followed by the severe national economic crisis, which resulted in shortages, escalating costs, and limited access to finance. Natural disasters such as Cyclone Ditwah added further pressure, while the ongoing tensions in the Middle East continue to create uncertainty for trade and remittance flows.
These successive crises have taken a heavy toll on SMEs. The sector contributions have come down to nearly 52% of Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides employment for over 45% of the national workforce, making its stability crucial for the country’s economic recovery.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, SLCSMI has stepped forward to support the sector by engaging directly with industrialists and SME entrepreneurs. The chamber plans to listen to their concerns, understand the challenges faced at ground level, and connect them with relevant authorities to identify practical solutions.
As part of this initiative, the chamber will organise a special SME Forum towards the end of this month, creating a platform for entrepreneurs to discuss issues related to finance, regulations, market access, and operational challenges.
SME owners and industrialists across the country are strongly encouraged to participate in this important forum and take advantage of the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders and policymakers.
Those interested in attending are requested to register with the following details by E-mail to: [email protected] or WhatsApp to: 0774586940, on or before the 20 March 2026:
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By coming forward and voicing their concerns collectively, SMEs will be able to seek meaningful solutions and contribute to rebuilding confidence and resilience in Sri Lanka’s vital enterprise sector, SLCSMI said.
The chamber believes that reviving SMEs is essential for national economic recovery, and the success of this initiative will depend on the active participation of the country’s entrepreneurs.
