SL–UK Trade & Recovery: Opposition Leader Meets UK Deputy PM 📈

• Trade Growth: Total bilateral trade in goods and services reached £ 1.7 Bn for the four quarters ending Q3 2025, marking a 10.2% YoY increase. The UK remains Sri Lanka’s second-largest export destination. • Sector Performance: Apparel & textiles dominate exports to the UK, valued at £ 1.2 Bn and accounting for 73% of total earnings. Discussions noted a shift toward diversification into rubber, ethical fashion, and premium niche goods via Sri Lanka Expo 2026. • Trade Reforms: Under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) effective Jan 2026, 92% of Sri Lankan product lines now enjoy duty-free access. Key benefits include: • Global Sourcing: Manufacturers can source 100% of raw materials globally while maintaining zero-tariff entry. • Simplified Compliance: Removal of "double transformation" rules, benefiting MSMEs and startups. • Disaster Relief: Acknowledged £ 1 Mn (approx. US$ 1.32 Mn) in UK humanitarian aid following Cyclone Ditwah, supporting 1.8 million affected people with shelter, water, and medicine. • Governance & Policy: Discussions covered anti-corruption (GRECO), climate justice, and concerns over the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) and Online Safety Act to ensure they align with international civil liberty standards.