JAAFSL - Joint Apparel Association Forum

Apparel Industry

We speak your Language.

'Ethical Business is not a practice but a way of life'

At Sri Lanka Apparel we firmly believe that eventually it is ones DNA that becomes the strategic business advantage in hyper competitive business environments. No wonder then, when Asia was emerging as a prominent Global Fashion and Apparel Outsourcing hub in the last decade, Sri Lanka stood out as the only outsourcing destination that spoke the language of ‘Ethical Business and Manufacturing Practices'.

We take pride in saying that Ethical Business Practices and Responsible Commerce at Sri Lanka's Apparel Industry are not a response to increasing need and demand for 'Ethical Products' and satisfy Business Compliance , but has been a Way of Life for last 30 years across the 350 plants and over 1 Million strong workforce.

Commitment to these highest standards of Business Ethics perhaps made us a leading evangelist and first Apparel Industry Brand globally to champion this cause.

Evolution

A Global Apparel Destination like no other

The touristy brochures describe Sri Lanka as a ' land like no other', the same could apply to the Sri Lankan Apparel industry. It is a business like no other. For past 30 years we have been a leading innovator in the global supply chain that commands the confidence and trust of leading international brands like GAP, Victoria Secret, , Nike, Marks & Spencers, Abercrombie & Fitch, NEXT and many more.

However the start of the year 2002 saw the coming together of the State Government and the entire Apparel Industry under the aegis of Sri Lanka Apparel [also known as JAAF-Joint Apparel Association Forum] to promote Sri Lanka as a 'Preferred Sourcing Destination in the region through a 'Strategic Five Year Plan' that aimed at leveraging the following industry strengths:

1	Leadership in Ethical Manufacturing and Business Practices, an issue that is receiving greater global attention and preference bring in eco/green as well
2	Sophistication of operations and diversified portfolio that enables Sri Lanka Apparel to service very High-end Niche categories
3	Unique Competitive Advantage in terms of high level of co-operation that exists between the government and the private sector makes Sri Lanka one of the easiest places to set up and run a business. A very important factor, in the volatile world of fashion, and surely a rare aspect in this part of the world

Guiding Force

A collective vision from people 'Who's been Walking the Talk'

Since its inception in 2002 what differentiated Sri Lanka Apparel as an industry body from conventional association mindset was its very foundation and emphasis on 'Professionalism' & 'Action Plan' based approach to business. Whilst safeguarding Industry interest in the hyper Global market was at the heart of the body, holistic development of the Industry under Eight Action Groups was a key to building world-class business competencies on an ongoing basis.

Sri Lanka Apparel turned to its luminaries who had established Individual Business Equity in the Global Fashion and Apparel Sourcing ecosystem. The 'Holistic Industry Development and Business Competency program' was propelled under the tutelage of these industry leaders who brought about a collective Global Apparel experience of over 500 Man Hours.

EXCO Members

Association Chairman
Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association
Mr. Kumar Mirchandani
Managing Director
Favourite Group (Pvt) Ltd
Level 6, Landmark
385, Galle Road,
Colombo 3.

Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters
Mr. Jayasiri Silva
Managing Director
Nordtex Pvt Ltd
No 118, Tissa Mw,
Kirilawala Road,
Amberaluwa North,
Weliveriya.

Sri Lanka Garment Buying Offices Assoc.
Mr. Gopal Iyer
Managing Director
Nitches Lanka Pvt Ltd
118/7, Polgasovita Road,
Siyabalagoda,
Polgasovita.

Apparel Exporters Association – 200 GFP
Mr. M Azeem Ismail
Managing Director
Maliban Textiles (Pvt) Ltd
261,
Siri Dhamma Mawatha,
Colombo 10.

Fabric & Accessory Manufacturers'
Mr. Beauno Fernando
Managing Director
Shore To Shore
Ring Road No. 1,
EPZ,
Katunayaka.

Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association
Mr. Hemaranjana Fernando
Director General
Bratex (Pvt) Ltd
P.O. Box. 08,
Ring Road 01,
IPZ,
Katunayake.

Members
Mr. Ashroff Omar
Chief Executive Officer
Brandix Lanka Ltd
23-25, Rheinland Place,
Colombo 3.

Mr. Manik Santiapillai
Director Finance & Administration
Eskimo Fashion Knitwear Lanka Ltd
P. O Box 30,
Negambo.

Mr. Channa Palansooriya
Managing Director
Orit Apparel Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
7th Floor , East Tower,
World Trade Centre,
Colombo 01.

Mr. Ajith Dias

Invitees
Mr. Anil Hirdaramani
Managing Director
Hidaramani Industries Ltd
34-01, East Tower,
World Trade Centre,
Echelon Square,
Colombo 01.

Mr. Mahesh Amalean
Chairman
MAS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd
7th Floor, Hemas House,
75, Braybrooke Place,
Colombo 2.

Chairman
Mr. A Sukumaran
Managing Director
Star Garments Ltd
P O Box 1,
Ring Road 2,
Phase I IPZ,
Katunayake.

Deputy Chairman
Mr. Noel Priyatilleke
Managing Director
Fasinations (Pvt) Ltd 107,
Hunupitiya Lake Road,
Colombo 02.

Secretary General
Mr. Rohan Masakorala

Special Advisor
Mr. K J Weerasinghe

Consultant
Mr. M P T Cooray