Science and Technology Minister calls for protection and revival of local industries

• Minister Chrishantha Abeysena emphasises revival of traditional brass industry through coordinated Govt. support
• Highlights need for technical guidance, modern tools, production upgrades to boost quality and global competitiveness
• Stresses long-term value of self-reliance and sustaining traditional industries
• Observations by NERDC and Science and Technology Ministry inform future action plans for industry development
• Local industrialists call to protect and strengthen brass industry; demand securing raw materials at concessional rates through Industries Ministry, imposing limits on large-scale export of such materials
• Officials acknowledge concerns, suggests collective program to find constructive solutions

Science and Technology Minister Chrishantha Abeysena recently emphasised the need for Sri Lanka to shift its focus from short-term financial gains through imports to supporting and protecting local manufacturers. 

He made these remarks during a recent meeting held at the Science and Technology Ministry, convened to facilitate an open exchange of views between traditional brass manufacturers and Government officials. 

The event marked the second phase of a collective initiative aimed at revitalising the traditional brass industry. This program was launched following a commitment made by Minister Abeysena to industrialists in the Kurukulawa South area of Wattala. 

The Minister pledged to implement a coordinated effort to revive the local brass industry and provide the necessary technical support to enhance its quality and competitiveness.

As an initial step, a team of officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERDC) carried out a technical observation visit to the area. The meeting then focused on planning future actions based on the findings of that field visit.

“While it is possible to import goods similar to those produced locally at a cheaper cost, our focus should not be purely on financial gain. We must prioritise the purchase of locally made products whenever possible and ensure the survival and growth of those industries. This includes providing technical guidance to reduce production costs, introducing modern manufacturing technologies, supporting the creation of high-quality and attractively finished value-added products that can compete globally, and facilitating access to modern equipment. This program is a step in that direction,” Minister Abeysena said.

During the discussion, local industrialists presented several requests to protect and strengthen the brass industry. These included securing raw materials at concessional rates through the Industries Ministry and imposing limits on the large-scale export of such materials.

In response, Government officials acknowledged these concerns and affirmed that the collective program would serve as a platform to find constructive solutions. They encouraged the industrialists to submit a formal report to the Industries Ministry outlining their demands. 

The officials assured their continued support to uplift the traditional brass industry by addressing key challenges through the coordinated efforts of the Ministries of Industry, Science and Technology, Finance, and their affiliated institutions.

The meeting was attended by the Science and Technology Secretary to the Ministry Mohomed Navavi, along with officials from the Science and Technology Ministry, Industries Ministry, Sri Lanka Industrial Development Board (IDB), National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA), National Crafts Council, NERDC, Sri Lanka Inventors Commission, Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, and other stakeholders.