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).

President of the Central Province Chamber of Commerce, Anurudhha Warnakula

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.