Central Province one of the most prosperous regions :
First food testing lab in Kandy
Shirajiv SIRIMANE in Kandy
For the first time in Kandy a food testing laboratory is to be set up
benefiting entrepreneurs in several areas. The highlight of this is that
the initiative in this regard being taken by the Central Province
Chamber of Commerce. (CPCC).
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President of the Central Province
Chamber of Commerce, Anurudhha Warnakula |
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The Kandy pageant which annually
brings the biggest revenue to the area |
The President of the CPCC, Anurudhha Warnakula said that a laboratory
of this nature was a crying need for the province since they had to send
samples for testing to Colombo costing money as well as valuable time.
"We have successfully negotiated to obtain foreign and Peradeniya
University assistance for this project which should be ready soon," he
disclosed.
The lab is to be set up in the new chamber premises near the Kandy
Lake which makes access easy. "This project would not only be a service
to Kandy area but would also generate the much needed revenue to the
Chamber," he said.
Warnakula said CPCC being a regional Chamber is very active and has
come forward to assist the entrepreneurs in several areas.
They have set up six committees so that it could help in numerous
ways.
The tax committee while providing solutions for member issues also
provides the know how even to the central budget preparations. The
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry section assists in self employment
generation while the foreign relations committee provides the much
needed foreign exposure to Central Province entrepreneurs. The Chamber
alliance plays a fine coordinating role among the other Chambers. The
Industrial Committee assists in helping people to obtain certifications
such as ISL, barcodes and SLS. The legal section plays a key role in
arbitration matters while the HR section focuses on employment
generation for youth. A vocational training centre too would be updated.
"the Chamber's Mission is to facilitate the promotion development and
protection of the business community in the central Province by lobbying
with the relevant decision makers."
He said that the Chamber has intervened and made several
representations to the government which has secured livelihood on not
only entrepreneurs but their staff as well. "once there was an issue
where the government lowered tax and allowed imports of Joss sticks
which almost killed the local industry. "After our representations this
was halted," he said.
The City Development Committee has identified several gray areas
which hamper the development of Kandy and with he assistance of other
stake holders such as the municipality, Police provincial council,
businessmen and the public have forwarded key proposals. One such
proposal is the two kilo meter under pass that is to be built to
minimise traffic congestion.
The Chamber also helped to design special archaeological street lamps
with archaeloical value to beautify the city which has come for high
praise. The Citizens Charter too helps in these endeavours.
Warnakula who runs his own tyre retailing business said that though
Central Province is one of the richest regions the fruits of it do not
come to the Central province. "We have the largest tea fields, variety
of spices, cocoa fruits, bottle water plants, apparel factories,
biscuit, industrial park tourism and sports facilities. However it's the
middle man who still enjoys the benefits," he said.
He said that with a new airport, highway and other development that
is taking place Kandy would once again retain its past glory.
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