SAP boost for rural industries

D. C. DE SILVA Kahawa special correspondent

South Asia Partnership (SAP) taking early steps to rehabilitate the devastated coir industry in the Southern coastal belt, in the aftermath of tsunami 2004 is a great source of strength to President Mahinda Rajapaksa's effort to improve and re-develop tsunami hit rural industries, said Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya at Galle.

She was speaking as the chief guest at the SAP seminar workshop organised by the SAP and held at Galle Light House Hotel.

SAP Executive Director Dr. Padma Rathnayake presided.

Balasuriya further said, we all knew what happened at the tsunami, where many people along the coastal belt lost their life lines and properties, and the Government with the help of NGOs, INGOs rehabilitated them to a great extent within a short period.

She said coir industry in the coastal areas was a traditional cottage industry through which many low income families earned their living. But they lost it due to tsunami 2004, and the SAP under the patronage of Dr. Mrs. Rathnayake coming to their rescue is a solace for those families.

Accordingly the "Forum on exploring international market for coir products is a timely step taken by the SAP. Balasuriya said the import of coir based products to the country should be stopped while taking steps to export our coir products in bulk. We can thereby revolutionise the coir industry.

Forty per cent of the coconut husks are not made use of in our country according to Manager EDB Galle, and we must make the fullest use of the whole quantity," she pointed out.

She said issuing of Rs. 3 lakhs to each of the Grama Niladaris to start self employment projects in their divisions is also meaningful. SAP Executive Directress Dr. Padma Rathanayake said the SAP had already taken steps to improve and develop the living conditions of over 2,000 coir industrialists.

Counsellor (Development) and Head of Aid of the Canadian High Commission Charles Parker said that the Canada Sri Lanka friendship was standing for centuries, our two countries have been true friends to each other since then. The train engine destroyed at the tsunami was repaired by Canada, he said.

Several Galle MC members, Divisional Secretaries and Prasad Daluwatta, Manager, EDB also participated.