The Electronics and Electrical industry revolves around the production of a range of electronic components targeted towards global export markets. These high tech products include magnetic heads, ferrite cores, fiber optic related products, printed circuit boards, compact fluorescents, memory modules, toroidal coils, thermal outfits, bio medical engineering products, household appliances and energy saving lamps. Major products exported include Boards and Panels (41% of electronic components), Electrical wires (23%), and Transformers (21%) while other miscellaneous products make up the remainder. Employment generation in this industry is approximately 30,000. Sri Lankan exporters receive several added advantages and preferential market access under several bilateral and other agreements, including the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement, Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and the European Union Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) Scheme. Currently, there are an estimated 30 companies engaged in manufacturing and exporting electronic products. The sector has been recognised as an important industry for the future of Sri Lankan exports. As such, in order to encourage and support electronics goods, Sri Lanka now has several advantageous attributes in place. The field is popular amongst students following undergraduate to post graduate study programmes. Seven universities in Sri Lanka produce graduates in the fields of electronics, engineering and
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computer studies. Four institutes including the renowned Arthur C. Clarke Centre, house research and development facilities, troubleshooting, expertise and training. The availability of skilled professionals in the form of mid-level Engineers and Managers contributes positively to this growing industry, and to the country’s already established competitive advantage of being able to harness South Asia’s most highly educated, literate and trained workforces. Thus, Sri Lanka has the potential for rapid development in the electronics industry within this region.