COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, August 1, 2025 (ePRESS) – The Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka on Friday welcomed a major breakthrough in trade talks with the United States, after Washington slashed import tariffs on Sri Lankan goods to 20 percent.
Calling the development a “timely and much-needed boost,” the association said the tariff reduction would make Sri Lankan products more competitive in the US market and help speed up the country’s economic recovery.
“This is a significant moment for Sri Lanka’s export sector,” the Association said in a public statement. “We deeply appreciate the efforts of the Government and the negotiation team led by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma for this achievement.”
The group also praised Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, for his steady diplomatic work, which they said helped push the deal across the line.
The reduced tariffs are expected to benefit key sectors including apparel, rubber-based goods, and tea, which make up a large part of Sri Lanka’s exports to the US.
Trade experts said the revised rates would not only bring more earnings to exporters but also attract new investments into the sector.
The association urged the Government to keep up the momentum and continue talks with US counterparts to explore further trade facilitation steps.
“This is just the beginning,” the statement added. “We are hopeful that more positive changes are on the way to strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in global trade.”
