About us

The IASL is the apex body which represents industrial and manufacturing interests in Sri Lanka. The Association was formed on 13 March 1991 and has contributed to represent a major sector of the manufacturing and industrial concerns in Sri Lanka.

The IASL is a constituent body of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce which is a Confederation of Trade Associations, Regional and Sectoral Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bilateral Business Council and Employer Organizations in Sri Lanka (www.chamber.lk)

While the Government is committed to a policy of gradually relinquishing a directly productive role, as well as diminishing a constructively controlling role in the economy, the private sector has yet not been able to make full use of this broad policy stance due to the lack of a consistent regime in fiscal, monetary and development strategies that would lead to a rapid economic growth.

In this context, the IASL in cooperation with similar bodies in the country will continue to progress for an ongoing dialogue with the Government to be partner in formulating a realistic strategy for a well balanced and stead industrial growth in Sri Lanka.

The industrial policies of the Government are subjected to a continuous process of monitoring discussion and debate, so that a feedback could be given to the Government in the areas that need adjustments and fine tuning. The problems arising out of high interest rates, unrealistic exchange rates, increasing fuels and electricity tariffs and high levels of taxation are matters that have received the attention of the IASL.

The IASL is of the view that the programme for Industrial Development must be purposive. Some of these issues on which the IASL has constantly focused attention are