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Dayasiri insists batik import ban should continue
Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara has insisted on the continuation of a ban on the import of batik, handloom and powerloom textiles. He alleges the ban was lifted by certain officials without his knowledge.
Minister Jayasekara stated that the ban, which had been imposed in June, had been lifted by the Finance Ministry recently without his consent.
“I made my feelings known on this at the Government Parliamentary Group meeting this week and then again at the Export Development Council (EDC) meeting convened by the President and the Prime Minister after a lapse of 28 years. I even said I was prepared to resign if it was not reimposed,” he told the Sunday Times.
He added that Sri Lanka had become a dumping ground for cheap garments and further import restrictions were necessary to uplift local production.
“For example, handloom sarees imported from India sell for Rs. 1200 while a local handloom saree is selling for Rs. 3000. Our manufacturers cannot compete with these cheap imports, and this is why the ban is so necessary.”
There were several highly reputed local brands which were exporting their apparel products, Mr. Jayasekara noted, adding that his plan was to encourage them to both export and market their brands in Sri Lanka.
He revealed that the Government intended to increase the tax on fabric imports by Rs. 30 a kilo.