EDB's Regional Exporters Networking Forum Brings Hope to Southern Province Exporters

The Regional Exporters Networking Forum for the Southern Province, organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), was successfully held in Matara on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The primary objectives of the forum were to identify challenges faced by regional exporters and to explore new export opportunities.

The Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, participated as the Chief Guest, providing exporters with a special opportunity to directly present their issues to the Minister.

A number of senior government officials and policymakers' representatives attended the forum, including Hambantota District Member of Parliament Nihal Galappatti, EDB Chairman/CEO Mangala Wijesinghe, Entrepreneurship Development Authority Chairman Lakshman Abeysekara, Southern Province Industrial Development Authority Chairman Sarath Samarasekara, Southern Province Ministry of Industries Secretary Ranjith Yapa, and Matara District Secretary Chandana Thilakarathna.

In addition, Provincial Secretaries, Acting Director of EDB Regional Development Division D.M.P. Dasanayake, Southern Province office officials, and nearly 250 exporters representing the districts of Galle, Matara, Hambantota, and Monaragala also participated.

Prior to the forum, the EDB's Southern Province Office collected specific issues and proposals from exporters, which made the discussions more productive and effective. Through this initiative, it is expected to minimize regional export disparities and enhance the overall export performance of Sri Lanka.

Source: Srilankabusiness