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by Afreeha Jawad

Having handed over my radio to its agents about a week ago to arrest some 'technical dislodge', I pensively journeyed home thinking its cure would perhaps be far worse than the disease. Some even suggested.

I throw the set and buy a new one, for according to them, the repair costs would touch the borderline cost of a new set. Others spoke of fallen standards even in reputed companies, adding to my doubt. However, after a week when I was informed of its readiness to be in my possession once again, I rather half-heartedly and stealthily carried myself into the service centre.

The technician came and gave a brisk display of what they had turned out of what was earlier "fragmented technical tragedy."

Having settled dues, I picked up the set when the technician insisted that it was not quite the right thing to do.

"Madam, you please work it and see for yourself how it works," he requested politely. Certainly, it had got a new shimmering look - this apart the knobs worked even better than when I first bought it off the shelf. The play in the volume control - something I detected on purchasing which the manager informed accompanied every set, was to be taken as a helpless situation, was lo and behold working to perfection.

Now, what I'm trying to say is this country is not without expert human capital. They've only got to be sponsored, trained and encouraged. Surely, they could surpass even the most skilled workforce of the world's reputed electronic companies. But what has happened to this skilful capital is invented tragedy.

And so, I cannot help but recall my 'pet insistence' - the Britisher where he set foot - his reference to the 'indigenous natives' as being lazy. Things did not end there and to this day there is this continued belief among their local 'caretakers' as well that foreign experts are equipped with better brains - an underestimation of local skills and a negative attitude towards such, has while undermining indigenous ingenuity been supportive of 'expert importation'.

Putting a lid on indigenous creativity harnesses 'external expert market'. Why doesn't some leading business personality - not to forget the State itself - bring this subject under their purview and foster existing knowledge? But with all this wealth of skills, talent and what not, I must also add - we Sri Lankans have the innate inability to engage in short-lived productivity. A case in point is the once locally-made Unic radio set.

The Micro car project performance is still to be seen. This is where local expertise runs into troubled waters - the lack of will to be conscientious, consistent and diligent in an endeavour. To this end, foreign exercises must be commended.

Where locals call it off foreigners pursue, counting on obstacles as a springboard to success.

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