image credit- freepik
Zydus Lifesciences and Sunshine Healthcare have announced the setting up of a strategic joint venture (JV) company – Zydus Sunshine Lifesciences, with an investment commitment of over $20 million to establish a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka, strengthening local production and reducing import dependence.
The facility, to be located at the Board of Investment zone in Horana, will be developed on nearly four acres of land. The foundation stone has been laid, marking the formal commencement of the project.
The plant will focus on manufacturing pharmaceutical products for Sri Lanka’s retail market, improving access to high-quality medicines while supporting national supply chain resilience.
The joint venture combines India-based Zydus’ global expertise in pharmaceutical manufacturing and technical know-how with Colombo-based Sunshine’s strong local market presence and healthcare distribution capabilities.
The partnership will support technology transfer, build local manufacturing capability, and create employment, contributing to the long-term development of Sri Lanka’s healthcare ecosystem. The initiative comes at a critical time as Sri Lanka prioritises domestic production in essential sectors.
By strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, the venture is expected to enhance supply security, reduce reliance on imports, and improve the affordability and availability of medicines.
The project will operate under the oversight of the Board of Investment, with the Ministry of Health and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) as key stakeholders All products will comply with NMRA regulations in Sri Lanka and applicable pricing frameworks.
