STC targets Rs. 3b turnover in 2007

by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi

The State Timber Corporation (STC) has targeted Rs. 3 billion for 2007 compared to Rs. 2 billion turnover achieved in 2006, the highest ever income raked by STC.

As an incentive to the 2,900- strong workforce which is responsible for the remarkable achievement of the corporation, the STC board of directors has decided to introduce a package of benefits for the staff.

The package includes a medical insurance scheme, accident insurance scheme for field workers and increased allowances for lunch and tea, said S. A. Premaratne, Chairman of STC at a meeting attended by the staff at the head office.

Under the health insurance scheme, employees will be entitled to a hospital insurance of Rs. 150,000. A Rs. 500,000 accident insurance cover will be introduced for employees who work under difficult conditions in remote areas in the country.

According to the chairman a pension scheme for STC employees is also under consideration. The board of directors under the chairmanship of S. A. Premaratna was appointed a year ago. STC which was earmarked for privatisation by the previous government had taken praiseworthy measures to ensure its survival at the crucial time. The timely action gave the STC a new lease of life.

The sale of timber logs at the regional timber depots were stopped. The saw mills which were neglected were repaired and geared into action. Priority was given to supply transmission poles to the Ceylon Electricity Board, sleepers for the Railway Department, and sawing timber for customers. In time the chairman said two new projects which commenced last year have shown a great success.

Selling furniture to the private and public sector organisations was a remarkable success.

The STC supplies the requirement of furniture for the Uva - Wellassa University and 150 housing projects at Kotmale are being supplied by STC.

The STC head office and the regional offices were upgraded with the latest IT facilities and equipment to face prospective challenges.

A training and research division was set up to improve and update the workforce of the STC. A carpentry training centre also set up in Polonnaruwa and the carpentry school at Kaldemulla was upgraded.

On the instructions of Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, Land Mahaweli Development and Environment, two timber projects are due to be established at Nuwara Eliya and Kaldemulla this year.

The planning and preliminary work on the projects has been already completed. The prestigious Sri Lanka antique furniture export project will also be launched this year.

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