SLAEA’S Awareness Program Brought Industry Leaders Together to Unpack The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, Highlighting Why Early Action is Vital for Sri Lanka’s Apparel Exporters to Remain Competitive in Global Markets.
The Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA) marked a key milestone in July by hosting a high-level awareness program on the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) a landmark that will require companies to prove their supply chains are sustainable and free from human rights or environmental violations.
Held on 8th July 2025 at Jetwing Colombo Seven, the event brought together leading voices from Sri Lanka’s apparel and export industries, all eager to understand how the directive’s reshape and impact global trade and it means for Sri Lanka.
Setting the Stage
We were privileged to welcome Lars Bredal, Deputy Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka, whose presence underscored the importance of early action. While the implementation deadline has been extended to 2028, he urged Sri Lankan exporters to begin preparations now stressing that compliance will be a business critical passport remain competitive in EU markets.
Keynote – From CSR to Mandatory Due Diligence
Delivering the keynote address, Shyamali Ranaraja, a leading expert in governance and sustainability expert, described the shift as a “paradigm change.” No longer will voluntary CSR initiatives be enough-companies must demonstrate proof through traceability systems, strong governance, and transparent accountability.
Panel Insights – Turning Talk into Action.
A dynamic panel discussion, moderated by Navindu Munidasa – Manager- Supply Chain Strategy & Dev (MAS Holdings), brought together:
Shyamali Ranaraja – Legal & HR Consultant – Labour, Gender, Migration
Lars Bredal – Deputy Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union – Sri Lanka
Vajira Ellepola – Director General, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon,
Eranthi Premaratne – Sustainability Consultant,
Mahesh Yellai – Chief Product Officer, TrusTrace
The conversation spotlighted four urgent priorities for exporters:
- Early adoption of traceability and transparency tools
- Strengthened corporate governance frameworks
- Integration of digital compliance solutions
- Better communication and shared responsibility with buyers.
Voices from the Room Participants echoed the urgency and praised SLAEA’s leadership
“There’s a clear knowledge gap in the industry regarding emerging directives. SLAEA’s initiative was timely and impactful.”
Eranthi Premaratne – Sustainability Consultant
“The session emphasized cost implications and the need for shared responsibility between manufacturers and buyers.”
Birendra Padmaratne – MAS Holdings
“Strong turnout and cross-sector engagement showed a shared commitment to global standards.”
Nitesh Ratnagopal – Avery Dennison
“Moderating the panel provided a broad perspective on the legal, environmental, and technological implications of CSDDD. Proactive engagement is essential for continued market access.”
Navindu Munidasa – Moderator
“This was a well-rounded and successful session. The keynote added great value, and the mix of speakers kept the discussion balanced.”
Yohan Lawrence, JAAF
“The event was well-organized and informative. The high level of participant engagement reflected the sector’s growing interest in compliance.”
Mahesh Yellai – TrusTrace
Looking Ahead the message was clear: compliance is no longer optional – it is the gateway to market access. The apparel industry cannot afford to wait until 2028. By investing in governance, building traceability systems, and adopting digital tools, Sri Lanka can stay competitive in an era where sustainability is demanded, not requested.
What This Means for You – SLAEA Members The CSDDD will reshape how we do business. SLAEA urges members to:
- Invest in traceability systems now to prove ethical and sustainable practices.
- Strengthen governance and accountability across your organizations.
- Adopt digital compliance tools to meet buyer requirements efficiently.
- Engage with SLAEA programs to stay informed and aligned with industry readiness.
Bottom line: Acting early is the best way to protect and grow access to EU and global markets.
