The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (SLPMA), in a historic step, issued a powerful national call to action urging all stakeholders to come together in a bold, unified effort to shape a future where Sri Lanka emerges as a trusted, high-quality, and export-driven pharmaceutical manufacturing hub.
In a decisive move to transform Sri Lanka’s local pharmaceutical industry into a thrust industry, SLPMA hosted an industry-shaping event formally unveiling the theme ‘National Call to Produce Medicine in Sri Lanka – with Care, Trust, and Unity.’ The event coincided with the Association’s Annual General Meeting and sought to drive a unified, multi-stakeholder dialogue on transforming Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector into a self-reliant, export-ready thrust industry. A landmark moment of the evening was the formal handover of SLPMA’s national policy proposal, an inspiring blueprint that outlined the rationale for developing Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, a bold vision for its future, and a set of actionable recommendations.
This proposal, presented to key government officials, laid the foundation for a transformative new chapter in Sri Lanka’s healthcare and industrial development. It captured the very essence of the event’s theme: “A National Call to Produce Medicine in Sri Lanka – with Care, Trust, and Unity.” The goal is to develop a thriving pharmaceutical industry that simultaneously addresses public health needs, pharmaceutical security, saves foreign currency, creates technical jobs, and drives exports, supported by long-term policies linking industrial growth with health priorities.
Nalin Kannangara, SLPMA President, emphasized, “Today marks a landmark moment in our journey. Local manufacturers have held firm and remained resilient over the years, despite many challenges. Yet, this industry has not unleashed its full potential. With the right policy consistency and regulatory backing, we can build a true thrust industry—one that assures long-term pharmaceutical security for the nation.”
