UK-SL talks put spotlight on textile exports, tourism and post-cyclone recovery

The United Kingdom’s Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday to discuss trade, investment, and post-cyclone recovery, with a focus on sectors critical to Sri Lanka’s economic stabilisation.

Zero-tariff access for Sri Lankan textile exports to the UK, introduced last year, was highlighted as a key support for local manufacturing, while tourism and export industries were identified as priority areas for continued cooperation.

The meeting comes as Sri Lanka seeks sustained foreign exchange inflows following a severe financial crisis and Cyclone Ditwah.

Deputy Prime Minister Lammy also addressed governance and social development reforms, including post-war reconciliation programmes, which investors and development partners often consider when evaluating long-term economic risks.

The discussions involved senior officials from both countries, including British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath. Observers say the visit could lay the groundwork for enhanced trade facilitation, foreign investment, and sector-specific collaboration between Sri Lanka and the UK.