Building on the outcomes of the December 2024 UK–Sri Lanka trade mission and the launch of the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub in March 2025, Sri Lankan women-led businesses are now strengthening their engagement directly with the UK market through a trade initiative focused on advancing tangible business linkages.
This initiative is delivered under the UK Government-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), together with the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub hosted by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB), and in partnership with UK business associations and the High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom.
The delegation is welcomed by the Sri Lankan High Commission in the United Kingdom, providing a platform for direct engagement with High Commissioner, Mr. Nimal Senadheera, and Minister (Commercial), Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwewa, enabling open exchange and practical dialogue on bilateral trade, with a focus on the unique experiences of women exporters. The delegation is also invited by H.E. Seema Malhotra MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific), reaffirming the UK’s commitment to gender-inclusive economic growth and emphasizing the value of making direct business connections for women-led businesses, with the SheTrades Hubs in South Asia playing a key role in facilitating targeted market access for women entrepreneurs in the region.
Over five days, the trade mission is bringing three Sri Lankan women-led businesses for business-to-business (B2B) meetings and company visits across London, Manchester, and Yorkshire areas. They will be showcasing the diversity and quality of Sri Lanka’s export offerings, from Ceylon cinnamon and tea to coconut-based products, spices, and innovative processed agrifoods, including hot sauces made from Sri Lanka’s scotch bonnet chilli peppers – all certified in compliance with the highest international export standards.
Trade between the UK and Sri Lanka was £1.7bn in 2025, increasing by £154m from the previous year. The UK is a key export market for Sri Lanka, with 92% of goods eligible for zero tariffs under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
About the STC+ Programme in Sri Lanka
The STC+ Programme in Sri Lanka is funded by the UK Government and is implemented by ITC in collaboration with SLEDB. The programme supports women’s participation in trade by engaging business support organisations to foster an enabling gender inclusive business ecosystem and connecting women-led businesses across Commonwealth countries and their key trading partners to enhance competitiveness and access global markets.
The programme launched the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub in March 2025 in the presence of UK Ambassador Andrew Patrick and the Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ms. Harini Amarasuriya, and delivered capacity-building support and market access interventions including an inward trade mission from the UK in December 2024.
About ITC
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC supports SMEs in developing countries to become more competitive and connect to international markets.
About SLEDB
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is the national apex institution for export promotion, established under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act No. 40 of 1979, and is responsible for developing and promoting Sri Lanka’s exports of goods and services.
