WP Governor urges authorities to provide foreign training to local weavers

Western Province Governor A.J.M. Muzammil urged authorities to provide overseas training for the locals who are engaged in hand-loom textile industry to boost the local industry.

Mr. Muzammil was inaugurating the “Peladiga Salu 2019” – Handloom Expo at the Lionel Wendt Hall in Colombo last week.

Chief Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne and Director General of the Department of Industries L.A.S Ranganie were also present at the event.

Speaking further, Mr. Muzammil pointed out that President Mathripala Sirisena had done his best to improve the small and medium scale industries to boost local production despite his limited powers. In spite of several challenges, he said, the President was keen on helping the local hand-loom producers to encourage their entrepreneurship.

“Our local products are very popular among the foreign tourists who visit Sri Lanka by way of their quality,” the Governor said, pointing out that an extended support from the government would help both the country and the producers to develop their respective businesses.

The Governor said such support from the government for the local industries would also help boost the economy of the country and would further reduce the imports by cutting down the foreign exchange that goes out of the country.

“Sri Lanka’s Handloom Textile Industry is centuries old. The industry has helped showcase the undying creativity of generations of Sri Lankans taking them to the international arena. A range of designs and colours, individual and innovative designs, craftsmanship, colour combination and patterns are handed down from generation to generation,” he said.

Hand-loom textile industry was a highly labour intensive exportoriented rural based industry in

Sri Lanka. The industry produced predominantly cotton and silk products, utilising cotton and silk yarn. Generally, with low capital costs and running expenses, hand-loom was a household or cottage industry, where skilled hands create value added products, it was said.