More than 80 stakeholders from Sri Lanka's rubber value chain gathered in Colombo to shape the country's response to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), as part of an EU-funded capacity-building initiative aimed at maintaining market access. The stakeholder consultation workshop, organised by the Rubber Development Department with support from the EU's Green Recovery Facility and implemented by Expertise France under the EU Global Gateway strategy, took place on 18 June 2026. The initiative targets enhanced traceability and due diligence across the rubber value chain, directly training approximately 280 stakeholders through a Training of Trainers programme and sector-specific activities. Sri Lanka, classified as 'low-risk' under the EUDR, sees the regulation as an opportunity to strengthen sustainability credentials and reinforce its position as a trusted global supplier. Participants included government institutions, plantation companies, smallholder farmer organisations, processors, exporters, manufacturers, industry associations, and development partners. Discussions covered current EUDR awareness and compliance levels, government support roles, international best practices, traceability tools, and priority capacity-building needs. The recommendations will shape a three-and-a-half-day Training of Trainers programme and stakeholder-specific training. The initiative underscores the EU's commitment to promoting sustainable production systems and the long-term competitiveness of Sri Lanka's export sectors. For Sri Lankan rubber producers and exporters, the EUDR compliance drive imposes new due diligence and traceability costs but offers continued access to the EU market, which is a major export destination. Smallholder farmers may face administrative burdens but could benefit from improved market positioning and potential premium prices. The EU's Green Recovery Facility gains a concrete case study for its Global Gateway strategy, while the Sri Lankan government strengthens its regulatory framework and sector coordination. The initiative has no direct impact on EU consumers or producers, as it focuses on supply-side readiness.