New company under Salu Sala to directly promote batik and handlooms

The Cabinet of Ministers’ nod has been received to form a new company as a fully-owned subsidiary of Lanka Salu Sala Limited to promote other local products including batik, handloom textiles and local apparel products directly, by setting up a strong international network.

Based on a concept of the State Ministry of Batik, Handloom Fabrics and Local Apparel Products, Minister of Industries  Wimal Weerawansa on Monday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to form the proposed company to implement the programme to promote local products including batik, handloom textiles and other local apparel products through showrooms and representatives in selected markets. 

“The necessity of setting up a leading institution to promote Sri Lankan products through overseas showrooms and to create a strong international network through selected representatives from those countries has been identified,” the Government Information Department noted.

The Cabinet of Ministers is also expected to consider a proposal to restart importation of dyes required for the country’s batik industry, through Lanka Salu Sala Limited, amid accusations that the sole batik dye importer is charging exorbitant prices, which has resulted in manufacturers incurring additional costs. 

The government recently decided to ban batik imports to Sri Lanka to encourage local production and save foreign exchange outflows.