SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 19, 2001

SEMICONDUCTOR LASER INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

000-27908

(Commission File Number)

16-1494566

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

15 Link Drive, Binghamton, New York 13904 (Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (607) 722-3800
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Item 5. Other Events.

On October 18, 2001, Semiconductor Laser International Corporation (the “Corporation”) filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code with the Northern District of New York Bankruptcy Court (the “Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Petition”). On October 19, 2001, the Corporation issued the press release annexed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Petition is attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

        (c)  Exhibits.

              99.1         Press Release of the Corporation dated October 19, 2001.

              99.2         Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Petition dated October 18, 2001.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

SEMICONDUCTOR LASER INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

/s/ Geoffrey T. Burnham

Name: Geoffrey T. Burnham
Title: Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: October 19, 2001

                                                                   Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

Semiconductor Laser International Corporation
15 Link Drive
Binghamton, New York 13904

Tel.:(607) 722-3800
Toll Free:1-877-Go4-SLIC
Fax.:(607) 722-3900
E-mail:  sli@slicorp.com
Website:http://www.slicorp.com

For More Information, Contact: Geoffrey T. Burnham, President & CEO

                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                  SEMICONDUCTOR LASER INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
            ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT HAS FILED A VOLUNTARY PETITION
                                      FOR
                         REORGANIZATION UNDER CHAPTER 11

Binghamton, New York, October 18, 2001 - Semiconductor Laser International
Corporation (SLI) (OTC:SLIC) today has filed a voluntary petition for
reorganization under Chapter 11 with the Northern District of New York
Bankruptcy Court. SLI was unable to reach an accommodation with its major bank
creditor BSB Bank & Trust Company and as a result of this and other factors
was compelled to seek reorganization with the Bankruptcy Court in order to
sustain operations.

The United States Bankruptcy Judge granted SLI’s request on an interim
basis to continue its normal manufacturing operations and pay vendor’s
claims arising after the date of the filing in the ordinary course of business.
This authorization will allow SLI to continue to employ its workforce while it
seeks additional licensing revenue and capital funding.

Geoffrey T. Burnham, President and Chief Executive Officer of SLI stated:
“SLI is currently in negotiations with three separate entities that could
provide SLI with a combination of asset-based financing, licensing fees and
joint venture opportunities. For the immediate future, I do not see any
substantial changes to our production, sales and marketing, as we continue to
manufacture products for our current and future customers, assuming the interim
bankruptcy order remains in effect. We are optimistic that this filing will
give us the time necessary to reorganize SLI and to work out a financing to
replace BSB Bank and Trust. We do not expect to see any significant changes to
our personnel as we continue to manufacture and ship products to our customers.
We hope that all of our customers and suppliers will continue to work with us
through this transition period. Of course there can be no assurance that we
can identify additional sources of financing or sustain our operations.”

SLI is a company dedicated to the quality manufacturing and production of high
power semiconductor diode lasers. SLI’s products have potential uses for
automotive, dental, medical, telecommunications, optical data storage, DVD,
printing and military applications.

This press release may include statements that constitute
“forward-looking” statements, usually containing the words
“believe”, “project”, “expect”, or similar
expressions. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These
statements are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable
based on currently available information; however, management’s
assumptions and the future performance of SLI are both subject to a wide range
of business risks and there is no assurance that SLI’s objectives will be
met. Such risks include: whether the interim bankruptcy order enabling the
Company to continue its operations will remain in effect; the willingness
of SLI’s customers and suppliers to continue to work with SLI; the ability
to identify alternative sources of financing and additional revenue
opportunities; no assurance of favorable scientific studies; uncertainty of
market acceptance; competition and rapid technological change; and potential
product liability. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SLI
undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to
these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events. Future events and actual results could differ materially
from those expressed in, contemplated by or underlying any such forward-looking
statements. Further information is available in SLI’s filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available from SLI or
from the Securities Exchange Commission.

                                    -End-

                                                    Exhibit 99.2

SEMICONDUCTOR LASER INTERNATIONAL CORP 8-K