OPA Sri Lanka - 21st Annual Sessions on Eradication of Poverty and
Hunger
By Gamini Rupananda, Colombo South group
correspondent
The Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) held
its 21st Annual Sessions on "Eradication of Poverty and Hunger" at the
Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.
|
CEO of Brandix Lanka Ltd. Ashroff Omar, the Guest of Honour at
the 21st annual sessions of the Organisation of Professional
Associations of Sri Lanka. Pic. Gamini Rupananda, Colombo south
group correspondent |
The Guest of Honour at the annual sessions was Ashroff Omar, CEO of
Brandix Lanka Ltd. There were four technical sessions which included
Agriculture; Trade, Finance, Banking; Industries and Infrastructure and
Human Capital Development. Twenty technical papers in the subject areas
on the theme "Eradication of Poverty and Hunger" were presented.
Omar quoted from the Department of Census and Statistics Survey that
15.2 per cent of Sri Lanka's population live below the poverty line with
less than US$ one a day and more alarmingly over 50 per cent of the
population in the country have below 2030 k cal level of dietary energy
consumption.
He highlighted the contribution that the Industry has made in
alleviating this situation to a large extent by providing employment and
essentially transforming the rural landscape.
The clothing industry is the first and the only large scale industry
that has moved to a rural Sri Lanka as a viable poverty eradication
alternative to traditional industries such as fisheries and agriculture.
Omar said that his company has already begun setting up operations in
the East coast and expected to commence exports next month. He said
education and professional intervention providing innovation and value
addition is key for the development and growth of these industries which
filter down to the society in terms of increased employment and better
living conditions.
OPA President Eng. Upali Bulumulla delivered the welcome address and
explained the management structure of the OPA. He said there are 50,000
professional members affiliated to the OPA.
The Annual Sessions is one of the key events during the year.
He said that most of our people earn less than Rs. 200 per day and 25
per cent of the people live in extreme poverty and earn Rs. 100 a day.
Many people are from the rural underdeveloped areas.
Against this backdrop the OPA decided on the theme "Poverty
Eradication."
Bulumulla said to improve the lives of the poor, it is necessary to
plan and implement projects and programs that will create actual jobs,
improve health and education facilities. |
