The definitive voice of Sri Lanka’s technology industry since 2014.
Type at least two characters to search articles.
Sri Lankan businesses do not need another reminder to get online. Many already have.
A new study finds that roughly 70% of surveyed exporters use e-commerce , rising to 72% among micro, small and medium-sized exporters . But finding an overseas customer is only the beginning. Payments, paperwork and delivery still shape whether that sale becomes worthwhile.
Published on 7 October 2026 , ODI Global’s E-commerce and international trade in Sri Lanka examines 953 trading businesses . Written by Ganeshan Wignaraja, Anishka de Zylva, Thamali Ranasinghe and Alberto Lemma , and prepared in collaboration with SLASSCOM and GovTech Sri Lanka , it puts numbers behind familiar obstacles and proposes ways to address them.
The survey ran between October 2025 and February 2026 . It covered 495 businesses engaged in exporting, including firms that also import, and 458 import-only businesses.
These figures describe the participating businesses, rather than every Sri Lankan exporter.
The encouraging finding is that digital trade already extends well beyond large companies. Smaller businesses are using online channels to reach customers abroad.
Among surveyed e-commerce exporters, 61% served Europe and 61% served the Middle East . Among exporters not using e-commerce, the corresponding figures were 41% and 48% . Businesses could serve multiple markets.
The authors argue that digital channels help smaller firms reach international customers without establishing a physical presence overseas.
The survey shows an association, rather than proof that e-commerce alone created that reach. Nevertheless, it supports a practical case for digital tools: a smaller company can find customers across several markets without opening an office in each one.
Bank transfers dominate the payment mix. Among e-commerce exporters, 53% also use card payments , while 22% use digital payment platforms . Businesses could report several methods.
A bank transfer can happen online and may suit a large wholesale transaction perfectly well. The report’s concern is the limited use of integrated payment channels across the trading environment.
Customs and shipping introduce further friction. Around two-thirds of e-commerce exporters identify customs delays, while 80% report complex documentation requirements. The report also highlights delivery timelines extending beyond two weeks.
For a seller, these problems accumulate. A website might secure an order in minutes; completing it can involve considerably more time and administration.
The authors propose support for businesses at different stages, alongside improvements to the systems they depend on.
A national single window would give traders a common entry point for submitting information required by participating government agencies, reducing repeated submissions.
These are the report’s recommendations , rather than confirmation that every proposed programme has been approved or launched.
The approach recognises that businesses need different help. Learning to take an online order is one challenge. Meeting export standards and reliably fulfilling hundreds of orders is another.
Sri Lanka already has businesses willing to sell through digital channels. The report makes the case for improving what surrounds the storefront.
The next meaningful progress update would tell us how quickly goods clear customs, how reliably they reach customers and how much work it takes to complete each sale. Those are the improvements an exporter will actually feel.
It’s no secret that China is spending heavily to build an AI industry at national scale. However, model revenue remains small compared…
Southeast Asia’s startup funding market remained active in 2025. But the money was not spread evenly across the region. Singapore captured approximately…
ReadMe Intelligence is ReadMe’s research and analysis desk, examining the technology, business and capital shaping Sri Lanka and the wider region. We turn data, policy developments, and industry signals into clear, evidence-led insight.
A useful perspective, a sharp question or something we missed — bring it to the discussion.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings
Please explain the reason why this comment should be removed
ARPANET crashed before its researchers could finish typing LOGIN.
Tech News, Reviews, Start-ups, Fintech
News, analysis and culture from Sri Lanka’s technology ecosystem.
© 2026 ReadMe. All rights reserved.
Loading comments…