A new sustainability initiative is set to enhance the resilience, competitiveness, and global standing
of Sri Lanka’s apparel sector. The Improving Transparency for Sustainable Business (ITSB)
programme, jointly launched by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) South Asia, the Sustainable
Development Council (SDC) of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the
Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) of Sri Lanka, aims to embed world-class ESG reporting
practices across the country’s most vital export industry.
Backed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the ITSB
programme in South Asia focuses on building long-term capacity across textile and apparel
companies—spanning both large multinationals and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Participating companies will receive training on how to use the globally recognised GRI Standards
to report transparently on key sustainability topics including labour practices, climate impact,
energy use, economic impact, and waste management. Beyond businesses, the initiative will be
closely working with important national and international actors, covering regulators, investors,
industry bodies, worker groups, media, and academia.
The full-day inaugural capacity building session took place on 16 July 2025 at Courtyard by
Marriott Colombo, with senior representatives from the public and private sectors in attendance,
including EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe, JAAF Secretary General Yohan Lawrence, and
SDC Director Jeevanthie Senanayake.
Rahul Singh, Senior Manager, South Asia, GRI, commented on the significance of the programme:
“ITSB is designed to elevate sustainability practices and transparency across South Asia’s textile
and apparel sector, positioning it for long-term resilience, profitability, and global leadership.
Through this multi-year initiative, we aim to foster a dynamic and inclusive platform that brings
together key stakeholders across Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel sector. Adopting the GRI
Standards – the world’s most widely used sustainability standards, does not only elevate corporate
transparency but also strengthens investor confidence, international positioning, and regulatory
preparedness—contributing to a more transparent and future-ready economy.”
The programme aligns with Sri Lanka’s Action Plan to Develop Inclusive and Sustainable
Business Capacities, developed in partnership with the UN ESCAP, Ministry of Industries, and
SDC. It comes at a time when global buyers are increasingly prioritising traceability and ethical
sourcing, with emerging regulations such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence
Directive (CSDDD) reshaping international trade.
Highlights from the session included an exclusive preview of the draft GRI Textiles and Apparel
Sector Standard (2025), interactive workshops on materiality and stakeholder mapping, and a highlevel roundtable on aligning ESG with business, policy, and investment priorities. Notably, the
ITSB initiative is set to expand to India and Bangladesh later this year, making Sri Lanka’s textile
and apparel industry an early mover in the region.
With apparel accounting for over 40 percent of Sri Lanka’s total export revenue and employing
over 350,000 people, the ITSB represents a strategic step toward building a future-ready industry
that is not just competitive, but consciously sustainable
