Yaden Laboratories expands manufacturing footprint

• Unit II project officially launched in Katunayake

Yaden Laboratories (Pvt.) Ltd, a 100 percent Sri Lankan-owned company and the nation’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, has officially announced a major expansion of its manufacturing footprint by initiating a new state-of-the-art project. 

This was formalised through the signing of a strategic agreement with the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka to establish Unit II within the Katunayake Export Processing Zone.

“Our signing today with the BOI reinforces Yaden’s mission to strengthen Sri Lanka’s healthcare self-sufficiency. By investing in Unit II, we are not just expanding our capacity but ensuring that our nation has consistent access to life-saving medicines produced right here at home,” stated Yaden Laboratories CMD Shashimal Dissanayake.

This new venture follows the resounding success of Unit I, Yaden’s existing sterile formulation finished dosage facility. Since commencing operations in October 2022 with an initial investment of US $ 16 million, Unit I has supplied 6.5 million units of liquid injectables to the local market and achieved a historic milestone in September 2025 as the first-ever company in Sri Lanka to export sterile formulations, already supplying essential medicines to countries including Zambia, Somalia and Cambodia.

The estimated investment value for the proposed Unit II expansion project is US $ 25 million, marking a historic milestone as the first facility in Sri Lanka set to be equipped to handle lyophilised vials along with liquid injectables as dosage forms. This dedicated Unit II facility will utilise modern technology fully compliant with local and international GMP standards to export as well.

The agreement was formalised on January 23, 2026, between the BOI Investment Promotion team and Yaden’s leadership, including CMD Shashimal Dissanayake, Director Parana Hewage Sriyani Chandraseeli, CEO Prakash Babu, CFC Gayan Rajapakse and Head of Legal Thilini Gunawardana.