Relief for handicraftsmen
Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika
Ranawaka has decided to grant several long awaited concessions and relief to
handicraftsmen engaged in the production of wood and clay based handicraft
products.
This follows a written request by Rural Industries and
Self-Employment Promotion Minister S. B. Nawinna and the subsequent meeting the
National Crafts Council (NCC) Chairman, Buddhi Keerthisena had with Minister
Ranawaka at his Ministry recently.
A press release issued by the National Crafts Council said
following the discussion the Environment Minister decided to allow Forest Range
Officers to issue handicraftsmen a licence to transport timber from forest
reserves on submission of the Timber Corporation permit and the identity card
issued by the NCC.
In future they need not go from pillar to post to obtain such
transport licences.
Minister Ranawaka also agreed to reserve timber stocks on an
annual basis for the NCC and amend legislation to permit the setting up of wood
workshops within a distance of one aeronautical kilometre from the forest
reserves.
Minister Ranawaka also agreed to release land to the NCC for the
cultivation of raw material (trees) once the NCC notified the areas and the
extent of land needed. The Environment Ministry would provide plants for
planting and the NCC would have to undertake the maintenance of the lands
cultivated.
The discussion also centred round the problems confronted by
handicraftsmen engaged in the pottery industry. To eliminate the travails of
these handicraftsmen, Minister Ranawaka agreed to issue permits to them through
the Geological and Mines Bureau for the transport of moulded clay for their
industries.
Minister Ranawaka also agreed to issue permits for the transport
of rush and reed from the cultivation areas to handicraftsmen. He also directed
his Ministry officials to implement these decisions without delay by getting the
relevant Departments and Corporations to issue gazette notifications and
circulars in this connection.
NCC Director, Mrs. Thilaka Jayasundara, Deputy Director Mrs. I.
Abeysinghe, Director General of Forest Conservation Sarath Fernando, Deputy
Director Amara Liyanarachchi, State Timber Corporation Working Director, Naresh
Kahaduwa and General Manager P. G. Kumarasinghe also participated.