Manufacturers need support:

High cost of raw materials, a blow to batik industry

By Ananda KANNANGARA

During the early part of last century Sri Lankan traditional craftsmen produced exquisite handicraft. These handicrafts were not only used by Sri Lankans but also foreigners who had a great regard for them.

In the past local craftsmen used traditional technologies, tools and indigenous raw materials to create various handicraft items such as wooden and metal statues, brass and silver items, wood carvings, table clothes, sarongs, wall hangings, batik paintings and many more items.

Among them, batik became popular among local and foreigners during the latter part of 1960.

Due to the high demand for batik garments and other items, industrialists opened small-scale batik workshops in many parts of the country.

The industry was expanded during 1980's due to the increased demand for batiks from other countries.

When foreigners visited the country during that period they were in the habit of visiting batik workshops in Kandy, Anuradhapura, Galle and Negombo to buy batik items such as frocks, wall hangings, shirts, sarongs, kaftans and housecoats.

This situation encouraged our batik manufacturers to expand the industry. As a result, number of batik workshops and showrooms were opened in many parts of the country.

Even today thousands of batik workshops and showrooms could be seen at Kadawatha, Yakkala, Imbulgoda, Kandy, Nittambuwa, Kurana, Ja-ela, Katunayaka, Seeduwa, Negombo, Kalutara, Ambalangoda, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Beruwala and Matara.

A batik shop

A batik showroom

In addition small-scale manufacturers had also opened batik workshops in rural areas and supplied products to showrooms in Colombo and other major cities.

The Sunday Observer last week visited number of batik workshops and showrooms along the Kandy, Negombo and Galle Roads to speak to people in the industry.

According to some small-scale batik manufacturers, the industry is gradually deteriorating due to the high cost of raw materials such as dye, wax and clothes.

The prices of these raw materials in the open market are increased very often and this situation is unbearable for small-scale batik manufacturers.

Unlike in the past, today people hardly use batik garments, but foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka, especially those from the West still prefer our batiks.

The industry has a history of over 60 years and it is the responsibility of authorities to promote it. The authorities could make arrangements to send our batik products to foreign markets.

During the six-day Sri Lanka-India handicrafts exhibition at the National Art Gallery on April 5, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, Douglas Devananda said that traditional industries must be upgraded and his Ministry always encourage local craftsmen.

He said steps will be taken to develop the batik industry by sending products to the foreign market, so that the industry will never die.

According to Minister Devananda, batik exhibitions will be held at main cities in the country and also in other countries in future.

A manager of a batik sales centre, Vinitha Kahadugoda said they have two batik shops at Imbulgoda and at the Janakala Kendra Complex at Battaramulla.

She said there was a big demand for batik products from local people during 1980's, but now the market survives due to the arrival of foreign buyers.

She said there are three batik sales centres at Janakala Kendra Crafts village, but some days the daily turn over was very low and it was even not sufficient to pay the salaries of workers.

She said Sri Lanka Tourism could send foreign tour groups to the Janakala Kendra Complex on their way to other cities in the country.

She also requested local tour groups to bring tourists to their shops at the handicrafts village and helped them to develop this industry.

"Like other private batik shops, we are also ready to give them a commission" she said.

She noted the high cost of raw material that are used to manufacture batiks and said the Ministry must look into this and provide raw materials at reasonable prices.

She said when the Government increases the taxes of wax and dye even by few rupees, the selling prices are increased unexpectedly by traders in the Pettah market. D. Wasantha of Shirmila Batiks at Koggala in the Southern Province

said that he owns two batik shops at Koggala and at the Janakala Kendra Complex, Battaramulla.

He said authorities could develop the industry by adopting various strategies such as encouraging foreigners to entertain the batik shops at the Janakala Kendraya.

He also urged the Small Industries Ministry to provide wax and dye to batik manufacturers at affordable prices.

He also wanted the Ministry to get support from the Tourist Board to bring tourists regularly to the Janakala Kendra complex.

A batik shop owner, P. A. Costa said that he has been in the industry for the past few decades and unlike earlier, the batik industry is now running with less profit.

"If authorities really wants to develop the industry, the prices of wax and dye should be reduced for the sake of small-scale batik manufacturers."

He also requested Minister Douglas Devananda to visit the Janakala Kendra every month and discuss with batik and other handicraft stall owners about the problems they face.

Gemunu Peris of Sunil Batiks, Marawila said the Ministry attention towards the handicraft industry was very poor. Minister Devananda should visit batik and other handicraft shops at major cities very often and discuss with traders about their grievances.

He said the Minister should organise handicrafts exhibitions at major cities in the country to encourage traders engaged in the business.

A batik manufacturer, Wijaya Kamal of Kegalle said the Ministry of Industries help small-scale batik manufacturers to sell their products at the Bandaranaike International Airport.