WOVEN WITH PURPOSE

Sri Lanka at Source Fashion London

- BY TINA EDWARD GUNAWARDHANA

Olympia London hummed with energy as designers, buyers and creatives from nearly 25 countries gathered for Source Fashion 2026. Amid the swathes of fabric, future-focused conversations and global perspectives on responsible sourcing, Sri Lanka made a quietly powerful statement-debuting its first-ever country pavilion with confidence, creativity and unmistakable purpose.

Held from 13 to 15 January, Source Fashion is one of the UK and Europe's leading platforms for ethical and transparent apparel sourcing. For Sri Lanka, this was far more than a trade exhibition. It was an opportunity to tell a story-one rooted in values, craftsmanship and innovation-on an international stage that truly aligned with its identity.

The Sri Lanka Pavilion was officially inaugurated on 13 January with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by H.E. Nimal Senadheera, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the UK, and Lord Hannett of Everton OBE, the UK's Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka, in the presence of industry leaders, exhibitors and officials from the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.

Jointly organised by the EDB, the Sri Lankan apparel industry and the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK, the pavilion brought together 20 carefully selected Sri Lankan companies, including 12 SMEs. Together, they reflected the breadth of the country's apparel ecosystem-from large-scale global manufacturers and innovative small enterprises to digital printing specialists, sustainable packaging providers and craft-led designers.