Yaden Laboratories makes history as first Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturer to exhibit at CPHI Europe 2026

Delegates from Guatemala with the Yaden Laboratories Management Team, representing Sri Lanka, at CPHI Milan 2026

• Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturer takes centre stage alongside over 2,900 global exhibitors at one of world’s largest pharmaceutical exhibitions in Milan

Yaden Laboratories Ltd., a pioneering Sri Lankan manufacturer of sterile injectable pharmaceutical products, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturing company to exhibit at CPHI Europe 2026, held in Milan, Italy, from 6 to 8 October.

The achievement represents a significant step forward for Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, highlighting the country’s growing capabilities and ambitions to establish itself within the global pharmaceutical supply chain.

Yaden Laboratories...

CPHI Milan 2026, one of the world’s largest and most influential pharmaceutical industry exhibitions, brought together an international community for which published event figures indicated over 62,000 pharmaceutical industry professionals, more than 2,900 exhibiting companies, and representation from over 166 countries.

The three-day exhibition provided a global platform for pharmaceutical manufacturers, innovators, technology providers, distributors, and industry leaders to explore strategic partnerships, emerging technologies, and international business opportunities.

Against this backdrop, Yaden Laboratories’ participation stands as a landmark achievement, placing Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry alongside some of the world’s most established pharmaceutical companies.

For the first time, a Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturer established its own exhibition presence at this prestigious international gathering, demonstrating the potential of locally developed pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities to compete on the global stage.

Under the leadership of Chairman and Managing Director Shashimal Dissanayake and Chief Executive Officer Prakash Babu, Yaden Laboratories has continued to invest in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, infrastructure, and internationally aligned quality standards.

The company’s participation reflects its broader vision of transforming Sri Lanka from a predominantly pharmaceutical-importing nation into a competitive pharmaceutical manufacturing and exporting destination.

Having established capabilities in sterile injectable pharmaceutical manufacturing, Yaden Laboratories aims to contribute towards improving access to quality-assured medicines, reducing the country’s dependence on imports and generating valuable foreign exchange through pharmaceutical exports.

The exhibition also offered opportunities to engage with international pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and potential strategic partners, laying the foundation for future collaborations, technology transfers, and expansion into new export markets.

Dissanayake said: “I first attended CPHI Europe as a visitor in 2013, and since then, it has always been my ambition to see a Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturing company represented at this prestigious international exhibition. 13 years later, witnessing Yaden Laboratories exhibit alongside more than 2,900 global pharmaceutical companies is an immensely proud moment, not only for me personally, but for our entire team and for Sri Lanka.”

“This achievement is the result of years of determination, investment, and the collective commitment of our dedicated team. It demonstrates that Sri Lankan companies have the capability to compete on the international stage. Our ambition extends far beyond supplying the domestic market. We want to establish Sri Lanka as a recognised pharmaceutical manufacturing and export destination, contributing to the country’s economic growth while improving access to quality medicines globally,” he added.

The achievement also reflects the collective dedication of the Yaden Laboratories team, whose technical expertise, commitment to quality, and continuous efforts have contributed towards strengthening the company’s manufacturing capabilities.

As Sri Lanka seeks to diversify its export economy and expand high-value manufacturing industries, pharmaceutical manufacturing offers considerable potential for attracting investment, generating skilled employment, advancing technology, and increasing foreign exchange earnings.

Yaden Laboratories believes that with a supportive regulatory environment, internationally aligned quality standards, and closer collaboration between Government institutions and the private sector, Sri Lanka can develop a globally competitive pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

Yaden Laboratories’ historic participation at CPHI Europe 2026 therefore represents more than a corporate achievement. It marks an important step towards placing Sri Lanka on the global pharmaceutical manufacturing map and opening a new chapter for the country’s pharmaceutical export ambitions.