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| Sunday, 19 September 2004 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Go fly a Chinese kite! by Chanuka Mannapperuma Foreign kites seem to have invaded Sri Lanka. Galle Face Green, once a well-known place for local kite- makers and buyers is now flooded with imported kites which are sold from Rs. 60 upwards. These kites are named "Cheena Sarungal" (Chinese Kites),a kite sellar at Galle Face Green told the Sunday Observer. He said they buy the kites from wholesale shops in Pettah and sell them at Rs.60. " Wholesale traders had imported a large quantity of kites from China and distribute them for retail selling," he added. Around Galle face area, one can see around 100 kite-sellers. There is an increasing demand for these Chinese kites, a seller said. Due to their colourfulness and variety most children love to buy these kites, he added. The imported kites are made out of material called 'taffeta' which is used to manufacture jackets and umbrellas. This would lead to environmental pollution as against our local kites which are made of recycled materials such as bamboo, coconut ekele and tissue paper. On the other hand, it also poses a question as to what happened to the traditional kite- makers around Galle Face green for several years. Naturally, those who make kites for self employment are now in a very pathetic situation as they cannot compete with the imported substitutes. However, there are still a few people selling traditional locally -made kites which priced from Rs.50 to Rs.150. "Our traditional kites also have a good finish, but the suppliers are not encouraged to cater to the demand, because of the substitutes available in the market", said one kite- seller. |
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