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| Friday, 13 February 2004 |
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Matchbox industry raises concern over import of gas lighters by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy South Group Correspondent Manufacturers of safety matches in Sri Lanka have protested to the Minister, Central Region Development regarding the import of poor quality gas lighters which have affected sales of matches. This was made known at a discussion held at the auditorium of the Ministry of Central Region Development at Getambe in Kandy which was presided over by Minister Attanayake. The manufacturers of safety matches in their appeal to the Minister said that there are 11 major manufacturers of safety matches in Sri Lanka providing direct employment to 7,000 and a further 35,000 through indirect employment from this industry. The safety matches are of high standard priced at Rs. 2.50 a box. They complained that unscrupulous persons are resorting to illegal practices in importing gas lighters, and not declaring correct value, and marketing these gas lighters at a very low price. The sale of these gas lighters has made inroads into their sales and placed investors in the industry and the workers in jeopardy. They also raised concern, that these importers are defrauding the government of customs duty by importing these inferior gas lighters, which are priced at Rs. 5.00 per unit resulting in a sharp decrease in the sale of safety matches. President of the Match Box Manufacturers' Association Suriya Rajan (Sun Match Company Ltd - Sooriya Industries) Mohammed Uduman (Kandyan Match Company Ltd.), Abdul Razack (Bobby Safety Match Industries) and the directors of all major match box manufacturing companies. were present. |
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