FAAMA Appoints New Executive Committee for 2026/27, targeting a US$1 billion local value-addition opportunity
The Fabric & Apparel Accessory Manufacturers Association (FAAMA) has reappointed Mr. Husni Salieh of Noyon Lanka (Private) Limited as the Chairman for the 2026/27 term at its Annual General Meeting held on 25 September 2026 at the Hilton Colombo.
The AGM was graced virtually by Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI), as Chief Guest, and Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in person as Guest of Honour.
The event brought together FAAMA members, industry leaders and government representatives providing an opportunity to reflect on the Association’s achievements and discuss priorities for the year ahead.
FAAMA is a member association of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the apex body representing Sri Lanka’s apparel industry. JAAF Chairman Mr. Felix Fernando congratulated the new Chair and said “I am confident that the new leadership will help strengthen Sri Lanka’s local fabric and accessories supply chain and drive the industry towards our 2030 goals.”
A billion-dollar opportunity
Reviewing the year, Mr. Salieh said that Sri Lanka’s Fabric & Apparel Accessory industry contributes an estimated US$800 million to US$1 billion in export revenue as part of Sri Lanka’s US$5 billion apparel and textile exports. A significant share of raw materials is still imported.
“There is a billion-dollar opportunity for more locally sourced raw materials as apparel in the country looks to grow from 5 billion to 8 billion by 2030,” he said. “Many of the challenges our industry faces cannot be addressed by any one company, association or institution working independently. They require a collective industry response.”
Over the past year FAAMA has been working with JAAF, the BOI and the EDB on a common apparel strategy towards 2030. It held closed-door sessions with leading apparel manufacturers and ran seminars on tax and export regulations. It also worked with the Vocational Training Institute on building technical skills. Members’ concerns, including the abolition of SVAT and foreign currency payment thresholds, were raised with the President, the BOI and the EDB.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Export Development Board, Mangala Wijesinghe, said apparel accounts for more than 30% of Sri Lanka’s exports, with nearly US$5.5 billion in apparel exports. Exports have softened this year on weaker global demand linked to the Middle East conflict, but the EDB projects average export growth of around 7% and GDP growth of around 6%.
The EDB pointed to textile imports of nearly US$2.7 billion as an opening for local producers. “If we can support these industries, we can save a lot of foreign exchange and strengthen the sector,” the representative said.
On tightening EU rules, the EDB acknowledged higher compliance costs, particularly for SMEs. “If Sri Lankan exporters use international standards, with circularity, low-carbon production and better traceability, we can differentiate ourselves from competitors and gain strong market access,” he added.
In a video message, while congratulating the new executive committee Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa, said the industry’s vertical integration is a strategic advantage. “We have integrated vertically, with fabric and accessories manufacturers supplying the entire value chain,” he said. He added that the BOI aims to work closely with FAAMA to raise local sourcing from where it’s at currently and will meet the new committee soon to expedite this.
A change moment
The re-elected Chairman said, “We have spent a lot of time understanding the challenges. Now, it’s time to move towards collective action,” and urged members to embrace change. He recalled the well-known quote, “It’s not the strongest or the fastest of the species that survives, but those most adaptable to change,” and highlighted that this is very much a moment of change for FAAMA and the rest of our industry.
The office bearers for 2026/27 are Husni Salieh of Noyon Lanka (Private) Limited as Chairman; Niroshan Samarasinhe of Stretchline (Pvt) Ltd and Shahid Sangani of Dynawash Ltd as Vice Chairmen; Shehan Olegasageram of Compreli Consulting (Pvt) Ltd as Secretary; and Suranga Gallage of Antler Fabric Printers (Pvt) Ltd as Treasurer. They will be joined on the Executive Committee by Janaka Nanayakkara of Teejay Lanka PLC, Harin Gabriel of American & Efird (Pvt) Ltd, Jonah Goh of Best Pacific Textiles Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Beauno Fernando of Shore to Shore (Pvt) Ltd, Ruwan Mudalpath of Ocean Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Yasantha Suriyapperuma of Wilkins Spence Packaging Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, and Vasu Wijegoonawardane of Prym Intimates Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.