'Boat manufacturers should aim at progressive avenues'

More boats should be manufactured for transport and entertainment purposes, said Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama.

The Minister expressed these views participating as the chief guest of the 'Boat Show' exhibition held at the BMICH by the recent Boat Building Technology Institute.

This exhibition was held in Sri Lanka for the first time and various boats were exhibited by several companies including Ceynor and Blue Star.

"It is the responsibility of manufacturers to manufacture boats to suit the large demand in the world by manufacturing boats and accessories.

The Ministry of Industries has taken steps to provide maximum assistance to carry out that responsibility. We will prepare a developmental programme by obtaining the ideas and advice of manufacturers and buyers.

A large amount of foreign exchange could be earned by designing boats which would attract foreign tourists.

Due to the boat manufacturing process, great progress and success could be achieved in the boat industry.

I am speaking at a time when the need for boats is felt very strongly. The area that I represent was completely flooded.

The relief activities for the flood victims were conducted by using a large number of boats.

History tells us that boats and canoes were used to transport goods in canals and rivers. Even today people travel in canoes, If we provide a good canoe and boat service we can create transport facilities for people and use it for their recreational activities and earn a good income."

Aviation Deputy Minister Sarath Gunarathne said, "today we use boats only for the fisheries industry. Developed countries use boat services to increase and strengthen their avenues of income.

If we do not drink tea in Sri Lanka there is no use of talking about tea. If we won't play cricket there is no use of talking about it. We should appreciate our own things.

Under the Mahinda Chinthana programme we have implemented various activities to strengthen the economy of our country. We like to give a helping hand to people who engage in these type of activities. The country's economy will not be strengthened by dashing pots, by tooting horns and by going in bullock carts.

Boats should not only be restricted to sea and fishermen. We should sell them to foreign countries and also use them for transport and other activities. We should have the ability to manufacture boats to meet local and foreign demand.

We should try to win the blue sky and the blue water. International Advisor of the German Technical Institute Bernard Shisher and Managing Director Gamini Herath (DTI) also spoke.