Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has criticized the government for maintaining the highest tariff rate in the region on U.S. garment exports, warning that it places Sri Lanka’s industry at a severe disadvantage.
Taking to ‘X’, Premadasa pointed out that while Bangladesh secured a tariff reduction to 19% and India to 18%, Sri Lanka remains at 20%, with no concessions for the garment sector.
“With 70% of US exports being garments, a 20% tariff will make Sri Lankan products significantly less competitive than other alternatives,” he said.
Premadasa accused the government of not realizing the implications of having the highest tariff in the region, with no concessions for the garment sector. (Newswire)
While Bangladesh secured a deal dropping its tariff to 19%, and India at 18% , Sri Lanka remains at 20%, effectively the highest burden in the region especially when factoring in sector-specific hits.
With 70% of US exports being garments, a 20% tariff will make SL products… https://t.co/DFdYSsoc2F— Sajith Premadasa (@sajithpremadasa) February 10, 2026