Weerawansa sees silver lining in COVID-19 pandemic: Sri Lanka has realised its core values

By Saman Indrajith

Industry Minister Wimal Weerawansa says that the COVID-19 pandemic, despite all its ill-effects, has reminded us of the value of indigenous wisdom and traditional practices.

 “In a way the pandemic is a blessing in disguise for it helped promote local culture and its traditions. We have been told that 80 percent Sri Lankans do not show the symptoms of the virus infection and it is believed that the majority have not been infected. This is because almost all Sri Lankan mothers have breast-fed their children and almost all of us have the best immunity in the world. In addition, it is also believed that our food culture too has helped increase our immunity. It is because of the pandemic those values have come to light.”

Minister Weerawansa was speaking at the launch of Made in Sri Lanka (MISL) franchise logo to micro and SME manufacturers during a ceremony held at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo on Tuesday.

“We have inherited all we need. It is sad that we had not been able to recognise the value of those traditions until the pandemic compelled us to do so. The pandemic resulted in a change of thinking of the people. Many businessmen have commenced investing on buying lands to cultivate because the pandemic has shown that our dependence on imports will make us vulnerable. Ours is a past that is so rich in knowledge and wisdom. The oldest hospital and the oldest surgical equipment were found in Anuradhapura. The government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa gives the maximum possible support for reviving this nation and making us once again the centre of excellence in this part of the world.”

At the ceremony the MISL franchise logo designed by the National Enterprise Development Authority’s (NEDA) on the basis of ancient wood carvings of Embekke Devale and an e-commerce portal were launched.

 Minister Weerawansa said that the introduction of the ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ franchise logo to micro and SME manufacturers would mark a turning point in local industry. “The brand, Made in Sri Lanka, will help make our products globally available through a newly launched e-commerce portal. Today, we start several programmes under the ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ brand campaign. These programmes will assist the micro, small, and medium-scale entrepreneurs making local products. The campaign has identified many longstanding issues barring the Lankan entrepreneurs to have a foothold in the local market and push their products to the global market.”

The website of the MISL www.madeinsrilanka.org designed by the NEDA was launched creating a platform that will connect these MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) to businesses and consumers.

Minister Weerawansa thanked his advisor Sunil Hettiarachchi and NEDA Chairman Anushka Gunasinghe for their role in creating the platform that would enable the MSMEs overcome limitations imposed on them by the COVID-19 pandemic to promote their products. The NEDA has a network of MSMEs that have been registered at divisional secretariats. The concept came about due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s first lockdown as a means to empower local traders and entrepreneurs, the Minister said.