Sri Lanka and the European Union (EU) have held discussions on strengthening the country’s preparedness to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which has implications for Sri Lanka’s rubber exports to the European market.
The Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure and the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives jointly convened a technical workshop in Colombo on Wednesday (21), bringing together government officials, rubber industry representatives and other stakeholders.
The workshop was organised under the EU-funded Green Recovery Facility (GRF), implemented by Expertise France, to improve understanding of the regulation and its requirements for Sri Lankan exporters.
The EUDR aims to reduce the EU’s contribution to global deforestation and forest degradation by introducing requirements for commodities such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya and wood entering or being exported from the EU market.
Natural rubber and several rubber-based products, including tyres, rubber hoses and conveyor belts, fall within the regulation’s scope, making product traceability, reliable production data and supply chain coordination important for Sri Lanka’s rubber industry.
Addressing the workshop, Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Gunadasa Samarasinghe stressed the importance of preparing Sri Lanka’s rubber sector to meet evolving international sustainability requirements while maintaining its export competitiveness.
He said the rubber industry plays a significant role in Sri Lanka’s economy and supports numerous livelihoods, adding that producers, processors and exporters must be equipped with the necessary knowledge and systems to comply with the EUDR.
Samarasinghe noted that engagement with European Commission officials would help clarify regulatory requirements and identify practical measures to safeguard livelihoods and sustain rubber exports to the EU.
Meanwhile, Head of Partnerships at the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Virginie Lafleur-Tighe, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s preparations through technical cooperation, improved traceability and assistance for producers and smallholders.
She said the shared objective was to promote sustainable production, protect forests and maintain responsible trade relations between Sri Lanka and the European Union.
During the workshop, European Commission Policy Officer Alessio Cartosio outlined the objectives of the EUDR, the obligations of EU operators and traders, and the implications for producers in countries exporting to the European market.
European Forest Institute (EFI) Forest Governance Expert Peter Aldinger also presented findings from the Institute’s 2025 assessment of Sri Lanka’s preparedness for the regulation, particularly concerning the rubber sector.
Representatives from the Rubber Development Department, Planters’ Association of Ceylon and Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association also participated in discussions on implementation challenges and the need for stronger coordination among government institutions, producers, traders and exporters.
In his closing remarks, Expertise France Country Representative and Portfolio Manager in Sri Lanka Mahmoud Gaballah emphasised that understanding the EUDR requirements must be followed by practical measures to improve traceability, access to reliable information and institutional coordination.
He noted that strengthening preparedness would not only help Sri Lanka meet international regulatory requirements but also improve the sustainability, transparency and competitiveness of its export industries.
The workshop forms part of broader EU-supported initiatives aimed at helping Sri Lanka adapt to evolving environmental and sustainability requirements affecting international trade. (Newswire)
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