SLSI raising the bar towards productivity
The Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) has cottoned onto a new high in efficiency with its extended working hours in certain departments giving an impetus to the national productivity agenda.
SLSI new Chairman Nushad Perera told the Business Times on Tuesday that the SLSI’s ‘import inspection’ department was transferred into a day and night service since earlier this month.
“Our operations at the Rank Container Terminal at Orugodawatte where Sri Lanka Customs clearance is now a day and night operation from the earlier 8 am to 5 pm operation.” This is a big win in terms of productivity at the terminal operations as the cargo is now cleared faster. This means that the shippers are immensely benefited as they no longer need to pay demurrages to the port for delays in clearing their cargo. “When demurrages are slapped on the shippers the end users or the customers ultimately bear that cost which means the costs of goods are higher. Now costs can be rationalised,” Mr. Perera added.
Also, SLSI’s internal laboratories have moved to extended hours in order to ‘clear’ the items which come through the SLSI Import Inspection. “Now we have double the output. Earlier if a report was done in five days, now it only takes two days,” M. B. D. Neelakanthie, Director SLSI said.
SLSI is a member of the Border Control Regulatory Body. This makes their job that much tougher. P. W. K. Tissera, Senior Deputy Director SLSI joining in the discussion noted that SLSI prepares specifications considering the strength, endurance etc. of the tri-forces’ garments.
“We set the standard for them in line with the wastage, wear and tear, comfort etc,” Dr. (Ms.) Siddhika G Senaratne, Director General SLSI noted. She added that these are set by benchmarking the global standards.
Explaining further Mr. Tissera added that standards on how the materials behave in the outdoors, tolerance for perspiration, rubbing hot pressing etc are set as per international methods. “Our scientists will sit along with the tri-forces as part of a technical committee.”
Ipsitha Jaasekera, Director Scientific Standards noted that the standards are established through a consultative process which follows international benchmarks. “We prepare an initial draft and it goes through a technical and working group committee.” This follows about 10-15 groups discussing and improving the basic draft. This is subject to approval by the sectorial committee. Lalith P. L. Chitrage, Director Laboratory Services noted that these days they see more rejections in the food items and ceremic ware / porcelain ware. “This is because of the heavy metal presence in the paint in these items,” he added.