Suspension of raw material imports: Half a million jobs at stake in footwear industry

Minister official accused of conspiring to bankrupt local manufacturers

By Chaminda Silva

Jobs of around 500,000 locals involved in the footwear and leather products industry were at stake owing to a decision by ministry officials to suspend imports of essential raw materials, warns Sri Lanka Footwear and Leather Products Manufacturers Association.

Addressing the media, in Colombo yesterday, the Association’s Vice President Neville Priyanka said that the country’s political leadership was keen to promote the industry but some officials were determined to ruin the industry and have the country flooded with cheap, substandard imports.

“Ours is a labour intensive industry. We have been hard hit by the pandemic. The importation of raw materials, we need, has been suspended. The President, the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and the Industries Minister have promised to help us achieve our goal of meeting 80 percent of local footwear needs in the next two years. But some ministry officials are working against us. They are blocking the import of some essential raw materials. Soon around 500,000 people working in this industry would lose their jobs,” Priyanka said.

Executive Committee members, Sanath Witharana and Ajith Perera, also addressed the media conference.