Reviving textile weaving industry of Sri Lanka

Abstract

The textile weaving industry is considered to be one of oldest industries in the country mind has experienced ups and downs over the post decades. Despite the position of the export oriented apparel industry which has become one of (he highest export earning sources to the country, the textile weaving industry passes a dire stage. Quality and prices of locally woven fabric are not competitive compared with imported fabric. Manufacturers combat with increasing cost of production. Although there is demand from export oriented garment manufacturers as well as from the domestic market, demand uncertainty hinders growth and new investments in the industry. Information collected from several small and medium scald manufacturers reveals failure to meet the product quality requirements, specifications and prices due to use of old and obsolete machinery which leads to low productivity, excessive waste generation in manufacturing and high cost of production, inconsistent tariff policies, untrained work force and financial constraints faced by the firms arc the major causes for the ; evading situation. Having analyzed the situation it is recommended that state of the art technology should be introduced to the industry, the individual firms in textile and clothing industries should exploit opportunities available to form alliances where they can act as fully integrated production facilities, emphasize in developing human resources and continuous lobbying with the government to have coins call tariff structures to improve investor confidence to revive the domestic textile weaving industry.