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"Resolving problems encountered by industrialists alone is not sufficient. Industrialists need to be encouraged to achieve excellence in their chosen fields of business and this entails recognition and applaud of success", said Preethi Jayawardena, CNCI Vice Chairman and the Chairman of the Awards Committee.

The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries celebrated their Awards Ceremony under the theme "CNCI Achiever of Industrial Excellence 2003" for the second consecutive year under the patronage of Karu Jayasuriya, Minister of Power and Energy as the Chief Guest and Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Industries as Guest of Honour.

The Chairman of the Awards Committee and Vice Chairman of CNCI, Jayawardena said, "The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries mainly representing the island's industrial sector came into being by an Act of Parliament in 1969. It comprises around 300 corporate members made up of large, medium and small scale industrialists. Today it is the nation's "Voice of Industry".

He said that "The Private Sector has been recognised as the engine of growth and today the Government is increasingly concerned in assisting its advancement with particular attention to the development of medium and small scale industries. Industrial growth is hampered by many factors, some unseen by policy makers.

Our markets are small making overhead absorption difficult and in turn product pricing uncompetitive with those enjoying sizeable international market share. Adding to this problem are production costs which are not low with productivity on the decline and prices of essentials such as energy costs being high in relation to those of other countries.

Adding value to available raw materials, so as to increase competitive advantage of industries has to be addressed as a continuing and vigorous exercise. It will thus be seen that a body corporate composed of a spectrum of industrial entrepreneurs is a necessity to consider these and other matters, and make representations to the authorities for sensible relief, he said.

"We realised that resolving problems encountered by industrialists alone is not sufficient. Industrialists need to be encouraged to achieve excellence in their chosen fields of business and this entails recognition and applaud of success."

With this objective in mind the CNCI for the first time in its history held the Achiever of Industrial Excellence Awards Ceremony in July 2002 and this event was organised specially to recognise and honour industrialists who have progressed with distinction. This unique event was not confined to Sri Lankan industrialists alone, but it was also opened to industrialists in all countries in the entire SAARC region. The awards were of four categories for the Sri Lankan National Award. They were large, medium, small and micro and for each category there was a gold, silver, bronze and two merit awards.

"We did not stop there, provincial recognition was also given with a number of provincial awards. The fact that the applicants for awards have increased by 35% in the current year is ample testimony that recognition of excellence is having the desired effects", he said.

CNCI Chairman Ranjith Hettiarachchi and the Chairman of the Panel of Judges Dr. Bandula Perera also spoke.

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