Medarata Pehekam Piyasa: Textile Facility in perilous state

Open letter to Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera

It was just a chance that others and I happened to recently visit the Medarata Pehekam Piyasa, located at Wewagama, along the road to the Kandy Pallekele Golf Links. Started more than four decades ago, and now under the Central Province Ministry for Industries and Sports, this Piyasa is  in a perilous and dilapidated state, not receiving even step-motherly attention.  Thus, I am forwarding the following for your attention and actions.

The site seems to be dull and lost. No visitors at all. There were three female workers, well past middle age, operating the ancient machines. But they seemed to be working hard. A few others were said to be working from home. They are paid Rs.130 /= per meter produced and the maximum output per person for a day is said to be 04 meters. This means Rs. 420/= per day, which is obviously not sufficient to meet their bare daily requirements.

Every effort should be made to increase the earnings of these workers if the industry is to survive. Besides, there must be a programme to attract younger workers to this industry. Today, most young female workers prefer to join large scale ‘angalum’ companies. Industries of this type should be made attractive for them. There also should be a programme to invite as many visitors as possible to see the work and promote sales of the products.

On the day of our visit to the ‘Piyasa’ we could not even see the completed materials because they were all locked up! There should be a separate room to display and sell the products. Attractive pamphlets should be made available for presenting to customers. The Piyasa should be converted to an active place full of visitors. 

There is a heavy international demand for handmade cloth, which should be vigorously tapped. Americans love such designs and quality products. Towards this end, Mr. Minister, you should avail the services of our foreign offices. You should make the respective officers work hard towards this end. It is certainly not an easy task.

Firstly the QUALITY of the products must reach international standards, for which a planned programme should be implemented. The designs seen today are the same that were seen four decades back. There is the Design Centre, located in Colombo, that should be made to contribute towards improving the products to meet the standards and requirements of the respective countries.

Secondly, a well planned training programme, especially to attract the youth towards this industry, should commence without delay. As mentioned by these workers, no youth come to replace them as their earnings are so paltry, and with their demise this industry will face the threat of a natural death.

Thirdly, an informative website should be created, inclusive of all production centres (Piyasas), reflecting their products and prices, to facilitate online purchases. The lack of such an informative website is a lapse that could be overcome easily.

N.B. Periodically, exhibitions are conducted of these products. However, it is observed that no proper approach is made by the officials to impart information for prospective investors. These officers must be educated to consider the job (for which they are paid) as a national duty. The producers of these products should be made aware of similar products manufactured in other countries and so motivated to meet the international standards.

Mr. Minister you are requested to take all actions to resurrect this handloom industry as a prioritized national duty.

S.G. MAPALAGAMA

Copies to :

1. Hon. President of Sri Lanka – Presidential Secretariat.

2. Central Province Ministry for Industries and Sports.

3. Governor – Central Province.

4. Manager – Medarata Pehekam Piyasa