IDB’s Pallekelle Industrial Estate chalks 50 years

By E. Weerapperuma

The Pallekele Industrial Estate, coming under the administration of the Industrial Development Board of Ceylon (IDB) Katubedda, Moratuwa, celebrated its golden jubilee on Friday 17 November with the participation of IDB Director General P.L.U. Rathnamalala as Chief Guest.

The event to mark the completion of 50 years was jointly organised by the Pallekele Industrial Association and the Office of the Superintendent of the IDB Industrial Estate.

The celebrations commenced with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by Chief Guest Rathnamalala accompanied by Marketing and Media Director Sarath Udayasiri and Estate Superintendent N. Gavarammana and other distinguished invitees.

The IDB, the Central Office, Moratuwa is the prime State organisation established to promote and develop industries in Sri Lanka. It was set up to cater mainly to the Sri Lankan enterprises, institutions and individuals and those who show keen interest in this field. 

In line with this broad concept, there are 64 industries of different types operating now under the aegis of the IDB in the Industrial Estate at Pallekele, Kandy, 154 kilometres away from the City of Colombo.

In his address, Rathnamalala commended the role played by the Industries Association operating within the industrial estate in liaison with the Superintendent of the estate and said the IDB was very happy to see the progress the estate had made within the past five decades.

Rathnamalala expressed his appreciation of the task performed by Estate Superintendent N. Gavarammana and noted that he had kept the estate in line with the Government concept of maintaining the environment friendly atmosphere despite a variety of industries operating within the Industrial Estate.

“He has set a good example others to follow and one should draw a lesson from his cordial operation, his cooperation and his ability to maintain good relationships with one and all working here,” he added. 

The Industrial Estate covers a land area of a little more than 53 acres, which comes within the Central Province Provincial Council and the Municipal Council of Kandy.

These factories provide 2,800 direct employment and thousands of indirect employment opportunities, a means of earning for many who have no employment to boast about. Some of the industrialists operating here focus their attention on the international market. 

Industrial Estate Pallekele, Kandy Superintendent N. Gavarammana told the media that while they celebrate the golden jubilee of the industrial estate, its beginning was noteworthy as the estate was the rock-stone of the many industrialists who have now climbed the ladder of success. 

The Industrial Estate was the stronghold one could heavily depend for land and other infrastructure facilities, if one had the will to begin and pursue an industry of one’s choice. Of course it goes without saying that the industries commenced should be market-oriented if the industry wants to succeed and continue. 

We are told that all the industries begun in this Pallekele estate had great demand, a commendable market share, and their products were very appealing in both local and foreign markets. Such industrialists have found this estate a haven and 64 industrialists operate here successfully.

Gavarammana went on to say the estate authorities give a helping hand to those seeking help and guidance and create confidence in them to proceed without hesitation.

Looking back, what is most impressive is that an institution set up to encourage and develop local industry, with an office in a land found 12 km away from the city, had taken the initiative to provide buildings necessary with three-phase electricity and other infrastructure facilities to those eagerly looking for means to commence industries of their choice.

“The land is a big factor, without which no industrialist could think of doing an industry. It was undoubtedly a blessing in disguise to many industrialists dreaming to set up their industries and the Industrial Estate waits for those keen with open arms to receive them to start their industries here,” he added.

With the passage of time, land was allocated to the industrialists and they had to put up their buildings, factories and like.

“I must commend those responsible in setting up the buildings, especially the water tank which can contain 100,000 gallons of water, distribution line and the sewage and the washrooms, as they do well even now after five decades without any repairs or any alteration,” Gavarammana said.

The Industrial Estate not only provides them the facilities to commence their industries but also makes available other sources and resources useful to the industry and the people involved in a particular industry.

“We introduce new technology and get them the opportunity to visit foreign countries to study the market available and the type of goods they expect and the use of new technology to earn more foreign exchange.”

He also said despite the fact that a part of the land belonging to the Industrial Estate was taken over by the Government in building the Victoria Dam and continuing with the development work the then Government had committed to, the IDB had taken steps to construct new buildings in the available land, in place of those gone with land being taken over by the State, without causing any hardship to the owners of the buildings. 

Making reference to future plans of the Industrial Estate, Gavarammana said that steps would be taken to fall in line with the Government’s concerted effort to make this a more environmentally conscious Industrial Estate.

“We are very concerned about the environment and we are operating our industries in an environment-friendly atmosphere. This was possible for us for we educate and make the industrialists conscious of this fact. There are educational sessions and collecting of information from the participants at seminars and workshops conducted for their benefit. We have now taken steps to divide this estate into eight regions with a view to ensure and maintain an environment-friendly atmosphere,” he said.

He also said with the submission of the new plan to create eight regions within the estate, the Commerce and Industry Ministry had allocated the funds necessary to improve the condition of the estate and every road within the estate was now fully carpeted and special roadways had been set up for the easy movements of the workers. “We have also planted bamboo trees along the boundary separating land from the lakes,” he added.