Handloom textile industry revived

The handloom textile industry which had been in the back burner for decades following the open economy has been infused new blood through the Mahinda Chintana.

The 'Ransalu' National Handloom Textile Exhibition 2006' organised by the Ministry of Textile Development and Department of Textiles at the BMICH amply demonstrates the potential of the industry to be a vibrant foreign exchange earner.

Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said the handloom textile industry was a shortlived industry. The open economic policies adopted since 1977 brought about a natural death to local industries in the country. The handloom textile industry suffered the same fate and is yet a backward sector in the economy.

He said handloom textiles was an active industry during the regime of former Prime Minister Mrs. Sirima Bandaranaike. The industry was spread across the country and made a significant contribution to the economy.

Today it is confined to the Gampaha District. We need to revamp the industry taking a cue from India which has developed its industries quite well.

The best example is the Indian saris which are very popular and sought after by designers across the globe. The Indian saris which is sold like hot cakes are handloom products.

If our neighbour India could reach such great heights in industrial development why not us. It is time that we got our rural population to be good manufacturers and designers with world acclaim, Fernandopulle said.

It is the poor and marginalised sector who have toiled in the handloom industry to make ends meet while sustaining the traditional craft. We have seen blind people selling handloom products.

Acting Secretary, Ministry of Textile Development and Department of Textiles, W. D. Jayasinghe said the handloom textile industry has to work hand-in-hand with designers and be more appealing to the international market.

The handloom textile exhibition held annually portrays one of the country's traditional crafts and a great deal of effort has gone into produce what is beautifully displayed in markets.