India and Sri Lanka has a free trade agreement through which nationalist Sri Lankan producers have blocked 1,198 items being freely bought by citizens of the island through a so-called 'negative list'.
India has a negative list of only 196 items but there are some quota and non-tariff barriers that have prevented Indian citizens from freely accessing Sri Lankan products including apparel.
Especially after independence from British rule India and Sri Lanka descended into mutual poverty by blocking free trade among its citizens.
Sri Lanka's ministry of industry quoted India's textile ministry secretary Kiran Dhingra as saying in Colombo when she led a textile industry delegation to the island on September 19.
Dhingra had said that from September 06, India has removed duty for HS code 61 and 62 apparels, the industries ministry statement said.
In 2011, Sri Lanka had exported 50 million dollars of garments, woven fabrics and other textiles to India, making it the 14 largest buyer.