Locally manufactured school shoes to replace vouchers in pilot programme: Minister

6 November 2025 09:37 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 10 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, Nov. 6 (Daily Mirror) - The government will implement a pilot project to provide quality, locally manufactured school shoes to replace the vouchers currently given to schools with fewer than 250 students, Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti said.

Speaking at a discussion held today at the Ministry, the Minister said the project will cover 145,723 students across 1,266 schools in the Western and Southern Provinces.

“Under this initiative, local footwear manufacturers have agreed to supply quality shoes with a one-year warranty, charging only Rs. 2,100 per pair. This is expected to save nearly Rs. 140 million, which could be used to provide footwear to an additional 62,481 students in these provinces,” the Minister added.

Only local manufacturers registered with the Ministry of Industries will be selected for the project. The manufacturers will also visit schools directly to ensure children receive shoes of the correct size.

The initiative aims to support local industry while ensuring schoolchildren have access to durable, high-quality footwear.

Comments - 10

Dinesh Thursday, 06 November 2025 10:29 PM

Whilst this is good move correct tender procedures should be followed to ensure no political interference is involved when choosing the suppliers so no corruption happens through this procedure...

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Sri Friday, 07 November 2025 12:29 AM

Good initiative for the local industry. Well done.

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Suda Friday, 07 November 2025 12:49 AM

I don't have words, this is a great initiative. We should give this Government at least another 10 years. If they do the same my country will be great and I will return from Canada. I left because Gota and clan destroyed country.

4 8

Lanka Putha Friday, 07 November 2025 12:52 AM

This is a good initiative. Import substitution should have been one of the economic recovery pillars. SL has had shoe manufacturing since the 50s. Why not leverage these industries. Congrats to the govt.

1 7

Rana Friday, 07 November 2025 04:48 AM

why anybody couldnt think of this before...

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Ignatius Friday, 07 November 2025 05:26 AM

Good idea. Lets encourage local manufacture. The 1 year warranty is very important.

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These are new ideas for improving the nation. Friday, 07 November 2025 07:55 AM

This proposal seems to have multiple benefits. Local manufacturers are given a boost; Saving of Foreign exchange, More employment opportunities to local talent; Cheaper, quality shoes; 140 million saved to provide shoes for 62481 additional students. These are new ideas for improving the nation.

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Dr. Dee esquire Friday, 07 November 2025 08:32 AM

Very good initiative. We have good quality basic shoes for school wear. Would last 2-3 times of the fancy imported garbage. But of course cannot come close to the better brands which would be 10 times the price!

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Iranda Friday, 07 November 2025 08:51 AM

Quality of the shoes, supplier and the price must be thoroughly inspected, now we can trust the politicians but not the government servants

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Edward Friday, 07 November 2025 03:11 PM

There are no difference of this type of quality shoes what they are going to implement.in the past the school shoes are vouchers and direct by the school from the DSI the local manufacturer. It's nothing changes just gossiping

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