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Local scientists say expert committees a waste of time By Quintus
Perera Dr. Janaka
Ratnasiri presenting a monograph on "The Electronics Industry
in Sri Lanka - Status Review and Policy Initiatives for Enhancement"
at the National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC) recently
indicated that 11 such committees had submitted reports to the government
but most were shelved without implementation. He urged the
authorities not to cause the same fate to the report he was presenting.
Eminent IT scientists had participated in the committee that prepared
this report for two years and the work carried out was done on a
voluntary basis. NASTEC is entrusted
to formulate policy and advise the government on policies and plans
for the development of Science and Technology in Sri Lanka. It operates
via a system of consultations embracing the entire scientific community.
It appoints expert Study Groups/Committees/Consultants to research
into areas of importance. Three consultative fora - Young Scientists,
Senior Scientists and Directors, also assist it. Two major Expert
Study Group activities undertaken for the past 1-2 years on "The
Electronics Industry in Sri Lanka" and "A draft National
Policy on Biomedical Ethics related to "New Genetic and Assisted
Reproductive Technologies" were presented at NASTEC, Rajagiriya,
with Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Science and Technology as
Chief Guest. Prof. Rohan
W. Jayasekara, Head, Department of Anatomy, University of Colombo
placing the draft National Policy on Biomedical Ethics related to
"New Genetic and Assisted Reproductive Technologies",
said that new genetic and assisted reproductive technologies have
got firmly rooted. He said the government as well as the private
sector is involved in a lot of diagnostic and research work involving
human beings closely linked to the moral, social and cultural fabric
of the nation, but there is no project mission to guide, support
or assist this work. With work progressing there could also be moral
and ethical problems increasing and what happened to western countries
would happen to Sri Lanka. He said that
in preparing the document they had referred to other similar documents
in the West, adding that the need of the hour was to set up a National
Commission for Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Keheliya Rambukwelle,
Minister of Science and Technology said the new policy of the government
is to do away with all institutions and ask them to work in line
with practices in the developed world. He said that
his ministry would do everything possible to offer whatever assistance
to the profession. Dr. Ratnasiri, presenting the monograph on "The Electronics Industry, said that the electronic industry has been identified as having potential for growth in the manufacturing sector in Sri Lanka. A monograph is written work dealing formally and systematically with a single subject. Cement maker lends hand in constructing homes By Quintus
Perera Walser said
that they have identified several pressing problems in the country
and one of them was the housing problem. He said that
the housing problem was acute in the plantations sector and his
company would be launching a project to obtain the services of masons
to train unemployed youth to construct houses in those areas. The masons
would also be trained to acquire technical skills. Holcim Lanka
and NHDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch an island
wide project "Homes for All" to facilitate home building
and to stimulate the construction industry. As a leading
cement manufacturer, Holcim can draw on their global expertise in
constructing homes, Holcim Chairman Manilal Fernando said. The signing
of the MoU is an attempt to mobilize all forces involved in the
construction industry with a view to overcoming the housing problem
in the country and promote economic growth. The institutions involved are the Institute for Construction Training and Development (ICTAD), the National Building Research Organization (NBRO), the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (SLLRDC), the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), Real Estate Exchange (Pvt) Ltd (REEL) along with NHDA and Holcim through the Ministry of Housing and Plantation Infrastructure. B. Galappatty, Group Procurement and Logistics Manager, Holcim, said the "Maha Gedara" home builder fairs would enable the participation of different product and service suppliers and draw on the experience of Holcim worldwide. He said that 400,000 houses will be built with private and public sector participation. He added that the first project under this scheme would be in Ginigathhena where 12 masons will be assigned to train 30 unemployed youth. The first training programme has already begun. Thereafter 200 families will be helped to build their own houses. Ginigathhena was selected only as a pilot project and the scheme will be extended to the whole country soon. Godrej and Boyce opens representative office in Sri Lanka Godrej and Boyce
Manufacturing Company Ltd of India opened up a representative office
in Colombo last week aimed at marketing the company's products ranging
from locks to forklifts and to explore the prospects of setting
up a manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka. "By setting
up this office we have a face to show to our valued customers of
Sri Lanka," P.D. Lam, Executive Director and President of the
company told a news conference, adding that Sri Lanka's close proximity
to India is useful when considering a manufacturing plant here. One of India's
oldest groups, Godrej and Boyce products include security equipment,
home and office furniture, conferencing equipment, storage solutions
and material handling equipment. Lam pointed out that many Sri Lankans
still seek international brands. This is because of lack of exposure.
He pointed out that his company's products meet international standards
which are of very high quality. Godrej and Boyce is already in the
Sri Lankan market, selling locks and security equipment to banks
and furniture manufacturers. The company is planning to market more
than 50 products in Sri Lanka. The company is hoping to introduce kid's furniture, refrigerators, electronic safes, burglar and fire resistant safes, vault equipment, manual typewriters, overhead projectors and many others. It is also hoping to provide solutions to warehouse requirements. Speaking of prices of the appliances, Lam said that it is "very competitive". He also added that their benchmark is China. The company was very positive that their products would be well accepted by the Sri Lankan market. (TM) KVPL profits rise on higher rubber prices Significantly
higher rubber prices helped increase Kelani Valley Plantations Ltd
(KVPL) pre-tax profits by more than half to Rs. 67 million last
year. Turnover rose
eight percent to Rs. 1.4 billion, according to the annual report
for the financial year ended December 31, 2002. The increase in profits came mainly from a "significantly better contribution from rubber on the back of higher prices," chairman Sunil Mendis told shareholders. The rubber plantations had been incurring losses in previous years. The bulk of the latex produced is sold to Dipped Products Ltd, another subsidiary of the Hayleys group. However, profitability
of both tea and rubber in KVPL was affected by the wage hike of
last July negotiated under the Collective Agreement with labour
unions. This had an impact of Rs. 40 million on profits. Mendis
said the company viewed "with extreme concern" the circumstances
of the wage talks and the settlements of the last two years. "Companies
are now making settlements beyond their ability to pay," he
said. "This is the principal factor eroding confidence of investors
in the plantations." The company plans to mechanise plucking and pruning of tea and uprooting of old rubber trees in areas that are short of labour. |
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