Sri Lanka’s Anti-Dumping Law Aims to Shield, Bathware and Tiles Industry: Minister
- brg_news_room
- Aug 6
- 1 min read
SRI LANKA: The country’s new anti-dumping law and countervailing duty measures are intended to provide stronger protection for local industries such as tiles, sanitary ware, and footwear, according to Industries Minister Sunil Handunetti. He noted that these sectors have been among the most vocal in lobbying for protectionist policies and, as a result, face little pressure to be internationally competitive. Critics argue that these industries, particularly during the Rajapaksa administrations, have long benefited from high import taxes at the expense of consumers.
“In the recent past the biggest complaint is that Sri Lanka’s open economy has put domestic industries in danger,” Industries Minister Suni Handunetti told parliament shortly before rules under the law were approved.
“The industries that will be most protected—I am thankful for the Trade Minister for bringing this regulation to parliament—are sanitary clothes, bathroom and bathware, the tile industry and leather products, shoes, and shoe-related industries.”
The anti-dumping legislation was first introduced in 2018 under the Yahapalana government, which had simultaneously promised trade liberalization and reductions in import duties and para-tariffs. However, despite those assurances, high taxes on imported tiles and bathware have persisted, so much so that, according to critics, the cost of outfitting a bathroom in Sri Lanka can rival the cost of constructing an entire small house.
Source: Economy Next
