Giving a hand to local industry

It is a laudable idea to resurrect local industries and also start new ones. Some of these industries, which began in the sixties and seventies, did not receive any support after that period and we were encouraged to import instead. Some state-owned industries were sold off for a song, while the privately owned ones had a natural death.

Reviving these industries and starting new ones cannot be done by a government alone. We, as citizens, who have a feeling for the country, should lend a hand. That is, by using local products and services. It is a shame and a crime that we have to import some of our food, too.

The govt. has identified these local industries that should be encouraged. It is for this purpose that State Ministers have been appointed and asked to show results. For some foolish and unpatriotic elements, such appointments have become a joke, but they cannot give any constructive ideas. They just sit back and laugh like jackasses. For example, the handloom, cane and reed, clay products, gem and jewellery are some of the products among many others such as metal, electrical and electronic items, footwear, processing of food, rubber products, ayurvedic products, etc. For some of these a part of the raw material has to be imported. If so, it will be in order, provided there is value addition and preferably with re-export potential. I believe even roof-top solar panels, for generating power, could be considered a local industry. Another good raw material would be bamboo, which has vast potential.

Talking about clay products, may I mention in passing that our house built in 1980, designed by a reputed architect, had clay floor tiles for the entire house, till we sold it after 35 years. We were quite satisfied with it and it was easy to maintain and had some sort of natural cooling effect to the eye. Even the wet floor was not slippery, unlike the glazed floor tiles. There is no need to sneer and mock at Ministers appointed to foster such industries. To coincide with these efforts of the govt, it is high time we started a country-wide campaign, which could be called – Be Sri Lankan, Buy Sri Lankan, or some such name. They can also have a competition , probably in schools, to come out with a catchy appropriate name. In addition to this, if a fund is opened solely for reviving such industries, there’ll be many who will gladly contribute their mite. At the same time, we have to realise that we cannot expect results overnight or miracles to be performed. These people who are directly involved are also human.

ND