Soaring foreign skies
Negombo kites fly to international markets
Tell us What you like…
The SUNDAY TIMES READER SURVEY
Negombo kites fly to international markets
By Laila Nasry
Is it a bird...is it a plane...well, it’s sure not Superman! High up in
the azure sky, an object larger than a bird but smaller than a plane swoops
and dives, somersaults then does a merry jig. We stare incredulously, for
it’s a kite performing such a feat.
Saman, a sturdy lad of 23 and source behind the ‘indisciplined’ show
of energy is flying what doesn’t quite fit our impression of a kite. This
was neither an ordinary ‘sarungale’ made out of ‘sau kadasi’ and ‘una bata’
(try stunts like this and it would have torn in a jiffy) nor was flying
it a fun exercise for him.
“Saman is a paid ‘beach boy’. It’s his job to head down here to the
Negombo beach during the day and test fly the kites before they are exported,”
says Frank Ulmer, the Managing Director of Aqua Dynamics, whose company
manufactures and exports kites to European and US markets.
Established in 1988, Aqua Dynamics first manufactured surf sails, wind
surfing being a passion for Mr. Ulmer who is an expert on wind patterns.
“I know enough to get propelled by it,” he smiles. Seven years later, the
BOI approved company diversified its operations to include kites and tool
kit bags for BMW, Mercedes, Porsche among other vehicles.
Back at the factory at Kimbulapitiya Road, Negombo, a labour force of
350 is hard at work. Rows of sewing machines are lined up from wall to
wall.
Whirring away at them are young girls swamped in colourful material,
their heads bent diligently over their sewing. “Producing kites is very
similar to making garments,” says Factory Manager Lalindra Fernando. “From
season to season, the colours change and designs differ. Right now we are
manufacturing for 2002.”
The kites are made out of polyester film and laminated fabric imported
from France, Germany and Japan. “It’s a sewing operation,” says Mr. Fernando,
the designs proving to be an exercise in geometry, for the kites come in
odd shapes and sizes.
Supplying designs is the task of Bill Hansen and Peter Stiewe.
Sitting in the boardroom, their laptops open before them, they work
at kite patterns which look more like images of para-gliders, designing,
altering and re-designing. The hi-tech configurations are  not
limited to those drawn at the factory but include designs sent via e-mail
by their clients.
Based on the original design, a master plan is drawn up and the material
is cut out according to the different colours with strict specifications
as to where the joints meet. “You can’t make an error,” says Production
Executive Roshana de Silva who concedes though that alterations are possible.
“Once the kite is sewn we check the finished product with the master plan
to see whether there are any mistakes in the sewing. But it generally doesn’t
happen,” she adds, saying much for the efficiency of the staff. “Clients
are very specific and at no cost will they buy a kite with defects.”
It takes around four to five hours to make a kite and Sri Lanka is recognised
for its speed in production. “We got an order in the morning today and
by afternoon we have finished half of it,” says Mr. Fernando.
“Poland can match Sri Lanka when it comes to cheap labour but not in
terms of efficiency and speed of delivery.” Nevertheless it’s a competitive
market out there with China and Thailand also in the same line of production.
Aqua Dynamics produces both tube and tubeless kites which do not see
the local market. Marketed at DM 20-30 and above per piece, these expensive
kites are air freighted to their destinations abroad. The tube kites are
generally exported ‘skin only’ and are assembled in Germany to cut down
freight charges.
In the US and Europe, kite flying is a sport. Stunt kiting, indoor kiting
and various kiting competitions are conducted and there is a big demand
for kites not only among children and but also adults.
“Kite surfing is the newest rage,” says Mr. Ulmer, explaining that the
surfer establishes his balance atop the board with the aid of the kite.
The kites manufactured are tailor-made to suit these competitions. “We
make light kites weighing 20g per square metre which have to be artfully
flown by walking backwards slowly.” They also produce kites as light as
5-7g which are used for stunt kiting, being flown with one’s mouth.
Apart from these, kites appliqued or printed with cartoon characters
are made for the kids. “Summer is the kiting season,” but we produce all
year through offering off-season discounts to our clients,” says Mr. Ulmer.
There is a commotion and a crowd collects on the Negombo beach. The
reason? A kite, this time as big as a giant wheel. “48 columns in 12 colours
each three feet in length...” Roshana rattles off. Once again we stare,
this time in awe and admiration.
Reader survey
Tell us What you like…
The Sunday Times, the newspaper with special sections for kids, teens,
adults, business people, sports fans and artistes; the independent newspaper
with the highest circulation and readership is launching a readership survey
beginning with the popular PLUS section a.k.a the Features section.
We’re taking stock and this is where our valued readers can help.
You’ve been our guide, while we’ve played many roles; bringing you the
breaking news and burning issues and analysing them independently, reflecting
your views, telling your stories, solving your pension queries and even
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table, stories from the distant corners of our little island and from far-off
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Now, we’d like YOU to take a few minutes to share your thoughts with
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more opinion, more letters to the Editor, more cartoons? A full-page of
fashion? Stories of people in everyday life, people affected by tragedy,
or the brighter side of life? Would you like to see stories from the city
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We’d welcome your views and suggestions as well, so please fill in the
following coupon and send it in to:
The Editor,
The Sunday Times,
P.O.Box 1136
Colombo.
The SUNDAY TIMES READER SURVEY
Would you like to see;
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2)More human interest stories
3)More letters to the Editor
4)More humour
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6)More people and events
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