In a major initiative to highlight Sri Lanka’s expanding industrial capabilities, regional investment potential, and sustainable manufacturing ecosystem, the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to host a 25-member diplomatic delegation on a three-day tour of the Eastern Province. The visit aimed to showcase the region’s cultural, economic, investment, and tourism opportunities to Colombo-based foreign missions while fostering new avenues for regional cooperation.

A central milestone of this promotion drive was the delegation’s visit to the BOI’s 255-acre Punnaikuda Eravurpattu Textile Manufacturing Zone. Strategically conceived to vertically integrate Sri Lanka’s world-class apparel sector, the park enables localized fabric manufacturing, reducing long-standing reliance on imported materials. This localized supply chain allows Sri Lanka to capture higher value while aggressively attracting international fabric mills and foreign investors committed to low-carbon, sustainable sourcing.

Beyond industrial advancement, the Eravurpattu project acts as a vital engine for economic revitalization and job creation across the Eastern Province. By introducing heavy industrial investments to regional areas, the BOI ensures that economic growth is distributed equitably across the island, creating thousands of skilled jobs. To balance rapid industrial growth with ecosystem preservation, the BOI established a multi-tiered, world-class pollution control defensive framework, establishing the park as a model for technological governance and eco-friendly manufacturing.

During their visit, diplomats toured the state-of-the-art Jay Jay Mills facility within the zone and shared positive reflections on the initiative. Olivier Praz, Chargé d'affaires of the Swiss Embassy in Colombo, praised the collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the BOI, noting that seeing major companies like Jay Jay invest heavily in local economic development and high-quality fabric manufacturing sets a valuable example for future investors in the region.

H.E. Dr. Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to explore the newly emerged industrial zone and highlighted potential bilateral benefits. He noted that targeted visits allow diplomats to communicate concrete investment and tourism opportunities back to their home business communities, strengthening long-standing economic ties.

H.E. Trinh Thai Tam, the Ambassador of Vietnam, also remarked on the high-standard processing capabilities observed at the park, such as dyeing and printing, recommending that Vietnamese investors explore the facilities and favorable policies available in Sri Lanka’s industrial zones.

Providing an operational perspective, Deepak Kumar, CEO of Jay Jay Textile Limited, explained that the group has operated in Sri Lanka for over 20 years across various BOI zones. He emphasized that the specialized Eravurpattu processing zone allows the company to target a future capacity of 100 tons per day—positioning it among Asia’s largest plants—supported by BOI duty and tax benefits on advanced, automated machinery. Built around core principles of sustainability, efficiency, and high-capacity production, the facility features dedicated water treatment plants and high-efficiency boilers, showcasing the long-term industrial potential of the Eastern Province.