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'International demand for those skilled in cookery'

by Matara Central correspondent

The unemployment problem is the greatest of threats faced by the nation. This problem could not be easily solved, without the assistance of the private sector. Many have now got the chance of being employed in the hotel trade, said the Government Agent Matara G. S. Ediriweera, when he spoke at a mobile seminar conducted at the Uyanwatte Stadium, Matara, for hoteliers recently.

This mobile seminar was arranged jointly by the Southern Development Authority and the Sarvodaya Economic Development Services Limit Guarantee Company, Matara. Nearly 16 entrepreneurs both, of private and state sectors and 300 other dealers in the food preparation trade participated.

Mr. Ediriweera said, there is an international demand for those who gain skilled, knowledge in the preparation (cooking) of delicious foods. This type of mobile seminars are meant to promote the management and marketing skills of those small and medium scale dealers in sales of prepared food items. These seminars will also promote the high standard of cooking and use of most modern equipment for the purpose.

Directress Economic Projects of the Sarvodaya Movement Dr. (Mrs.) Margaret Kuruppu said, with a view to eliminate poverty, these type of seminars and projects have already been carried on in 18 districts of the island. There are certain matters that should be borne in the minds of those engaged in this trade. Motive of earning big profits overlooking the interests of the consumers should be done away with. Cleanliness and preservation methods are the factors that should be given top priority.

Head of the Faculty of Agriculture of the Ruhuna University Professor K. D. N. Weerasingha said, resources made available to the universities in the early days were limited. Only a very few had the opportunity of pursuing higher studies. By now the number of universities functioning in the island has increased. Likewise the student population too has increased in greater numbers. It is my view that university education must be further expanded, so that every national could obtain university education. In the year 1940, that was during the war, 40% of the food production perished. It is natural that food problem become acute with the outbreak of a world war. Therefore first hand knowledge of methods and technologies of preserving food items imported must compulsorily be studied and followed. Matara district in this aspect stands high. Also the most number of recognized entrepreneurs in the trade have come from the Matara district.

H. G. Sunil Leelananda - Director of Sarvodaya Economic Unit and the sales promoter of the Sarvodaya Sales Unit H. W. S. Wijetunga also spoke.

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