Sri Lankan exporters adversely affected by natural calamity; NCE

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE), while expressing its deep concern over the prevailing natural disaster, said on Monday it was

gathering information on the extent to which export-oriented companies, their factories, production plants, and supply chains have been affected.

Early indications reveal that many exporters have been heavily impacted, with several production facilities going under water, causing significant damage to machinery, equipment, stocks, and critical infrastructure. This has brought operations in many companies to a standstill, and exporters are deeply concerned about their ability to meet international delivery timelines, the NCE said in a statement.

The NCE said Sri Lanka’s export sector is the backbone of the national economy, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings, employment generation, and overall economic stability. The country is already navigating a fragile economic recovery, and any prolonged disruption to export activities will have far-reaching consequences. Exporters play a vital role in sustaining supply chains, maintaining global buyer confidence, and supporting thousands of direct and indirect livelihoods across rural and urban regions.

The floods have created an urgent situation where production cycles have been interrupted, delaying fulfilment of overseas orders; equipment and factories have suffered severe damage, requiring costly repairs and replacements; supply chains, including transport routes, storage facilities, and labour access, have been disrupted; and SMEs and aspiring exporters are at high risk, as many do not have the financial buffers to recover quickly.

“Maintaining buyer confidence is crucial. Any significant delay in shipments can result in cancelled contracts, loss of market access, and long-term setbacks for companies who have invested years in building their reputations. For Sri Lanka, ensuring uninterrupted export performance is essential not only for business continuity, but also for national economic resilience. Therefore, it is vital that affected exporters receive swift support so they can resume operations as quickly as possible,” the NCE said.

It said the NCE is also conducting a special assessment of its aspiring exporters’ start-ups and MSMEs who have joined the chamber to scale up their export potential. These emerging businesses are particularly vulnerable to disruptions of this magnitude, and many are still unable to assess the full extent of damage to their facilities.