Lanka gaining momentum as a reputed garment supplier -Rankin

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is on an upward movement and the country is gaining momentum as a reputed garment supplier, British High Commissioner John Rankin said.

“It was impressive to learn that for the Athens Olympics, the fast skin swimwear by UK owned Speedo was manufactured in Sri Lanka. It is understood that Nike’s track and field outfits for the London Olympics will be made in Sri Lanka, he said at the Sri Lanka Apparel Sourcing Association 19th AGM held recently.

“Let us hope that sports clothing from Sri Lanka will be worn by those winning medals in London this summer”, he said.

The High Commissioner said, “In the 13 months I have been here I tried to develop a hands-on understanding of the garments industry.”

“I have visited a number of clothing factories and could say how impressed I have been with what I have seen so far – clean, modern factories with good working conditions for their staff. And I applaud the continued industry move away from low-value products towards high-value niche garments, using the latest high-tech fabrics, particularly in sportswear and women’s underwear.”

“The apparel industry’s work in supporting sustainability, implementing environmentally friendly strategies and carbon neutral manufacturing, including the world’s first carbon neutral bra by Marks and Spencer produced here in Sri Lanka.

It is delighted to see the growth in Sri Lanka’s own domestic design process, based on what your customers want.

“The UK government is also playing its part. The Sri Lanka Design Festival, in which the British Council and UK designers play a strong role, helps to showcase the local industry, including both modern clothing and traditional hand-loom garments and craft items. Sri Lanka is also taking a regional lead in South Asia in implementing ‘green’ measures and ethical manufacturing practices,” he said.