Sri Lanka eyes provincial ‘Packaging Clinics’ for local industries
The Morning: Sri Lanka is considering setting up provincial-level ‘Packaging Clinics’ to help local industries improve product packaging, add value to their products, and tap into new markets, Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti said at LankaPak 2026 recently.
Handunnetti said: “We can launch the ‘Packaging Clinic’ initiative at the provincial level, starting within our industrial estates, as the IDB already possesses such industrial estates,” referring to the proposal by Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging (SLIP) President Nishan Perera, to help local industries to improve product packaging.
“Packaging is often not given much consideration, as local manufacturers tend to concentrate solely on their production and are reluctant to incur the additional costs involved. However, effective use of packaging can create a significant market potential, even within Sri Lanka, while helping local industries,” he said.
Handunnetti also highlighted the potential for Sri Lanka’s packaging industry to expand into international markets, particularly in South Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
“If the packaging industry truly grasps the art of this transformation, there is significant scope for growth for the sector across several countries in the South Asian and Asia-Pacific regions, where untapped potential exists well beyond the borders of Sri Lanka,” he said.
Handunnetti added: “High-quality packaging, a robust packaging industry, is an absolute necessity at every stage. This means that ‘packaging’ cannot exist as a single, static moment. The packaging that exists today will change tomorrow, due to shifts in people, technological advancements, the integration of AI, changes in human mindsets and desires, and fluctuations in purchasing power.”
“In my view, the global marketplace today is truly defined by change,” he said.
Handunnetti also highlighted the importance of transport infrastructure in moving goods from industrial zones to ports and airports.
“By 2030, we anticipate a nationwide network of expressways and new industrial zones will be established, enabling the transport of goods from anywhere in the country to ports within just two to three hours,” he said.
“Our objective is to ensure that our goods reach various ports, not limited to the Colombo Port, but also the ports of Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai, as well as airports, as quickly as possible,” he added.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s industrial sector is creating business/investment opportunities for foreign businesses/investors in advanced manufacturing, packaging, product development, technology and export-oriented industries as the country seeks to strengthen its industrial base and expand access to international markets. A proposed provincial-level ‘Packaging Clinics’ initiative, announced by Minister Handunnetti at LankaPak 2026, highlights the growing importance of packaging as a value-adding industry. The initiative aims to help local manufacturers improve product presentation, quality and market competitiveness, potentially creating demand for international packaging technology providers, machinery suppliers and specialist service companies. For foreign businesses/investors, opportunities extend beyond packaging production to food processing, printing, labelling, sustainable materials, automation, product design and supply-chain solutions. Partnerships with local manufacturers could facilitate technology transfers, modernise production processes and develop products for both domestic and export markets. Sri Lanka’s industrial estates also offer potential for joint ventures and export-oriented manufacturing, while proposed improvements to expressway connectivity and transport links could strengthen access between production centres, ports and airports. The country’s location in South Asia provides an additional opportunity for international companies seeking a manufacturing or distribution base to serve regional markets. Investors could use Sri Lanka to develop supplier networks, establish processing facilities and connect with local exporters. As manufacturers face growing pressure to meet international standards, demand for modern production technology, sustainable packaging and quality assurance is also likely to expand. For foreign businesses, Sri Lanka’s industrial transformation offers opportunities not only in manufacturing but across the supporting ecosystem of technology, logistics, packaging and export services.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20261102Z_3 |