News
Small businesses suffer a heavy blow
View(s):Pix and text by Rehka Fonseka
Small-scale businesses that had prepared for months for the festive season when sales are higher have felt a bigger blow from the unprecedented natural disaster.
Even owners of small home-based garment shops, operating with just a few sewing machines, are unable to find markets.
Those producing food items, including pickles and other bottled items, were affected too.
Sanjeewa Pushpakumara, a food producer, shared his plight: “I produce food items with a long shelf life. When a festive season approaches, we invest extra beyond our savings by taking out loans or high-interest credit. We put that money into the business because products usually sell well during the holidays.
Small-scale garment producers were affected
“However, due to the disaster, we have faced a major crisis. Because these products did not sell as expected, we are now in a position where we cannot repay our debts. While the government intervenes to solve the problems of large-scale entrepreneurs, there is no one to speak for those of us who operate small-scale businesses.”
Small-scale garment producers say business has collapsed.
Soumya Thirimathura, a garment manufacturer, said, “We start preparing for the festive season two or three months in advance. During that time, we conduct large-scale transactions using cheques and purchase fabric on credit. We usually settle those debts using the income earned from selling clothes during the season. But currently, we are facing a massive crisis.
“It is a matter of regret that no responsible authority in the country has come forward to talk about this. Thinking of the Christmas and New Year season, we brought in large quantities of fabric and manufactured clothing. In my small business, I have provided employment to several women; their families survive because of this business.
“Now, our small businesses have collapsed, and there is no one to talk about us. We have learnt that ministers of the current government have called large-scale businessmen for round-table discussions. We are not trying to be a burden to the government while one segment of the population is suffering from an environmental disaster. However, if some form of relief could be provided regarding our cheque transactions, it would be a great relief for small entrepreneurs like us.”
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