News
Diaries, calendars make appointments with reality
View(s):By Senuka Jayakody
The diary and the calendar that promoted the corporate image have become the latest casualties of Sri Lanka’s economic bankruptcy.
These are also now more expensive.
Imports of printing paper have drastically reduced, prices have risen, and that has forced book publishers to adapt, as well.
The president of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association, Samantha Indeewara, said publishers have decided to prioritise the education sector.
“While the cost of printing a book has increased by three times, people can’t afford books,’’ he said.
Selling books is a challenge and publishers cannot reduce prices since the production costs are high.
“If people get used to this, it would be the downfall of this industry,’’ Mr. Indeewara said.
The price of calendars and diaries has increased from Rs. 80 to Rs. 300, so companies have decided against incurring extra costs. Some private banks are using virtual calendars instead.
Janaka Inimankada, the owner of the Vidarshana Publishers, said the industry could suffer because there will not be any new writers. Previously, especially during the book fair season, new writers would be given the opportunity to publish on credit basis, but this is not possible anymore. So, only a few professional writers would remain.
In addition, Sri Lankan publishers use German technology. Paper has to be imported from India and Indonesia. Paper from Valachchenai is incompatible.
Many printing presses have closed down. Further, the middle class who previously bought educational books for their children are unable to do so.
Banks have halted lending in some instances and interest rates for small and medium enterprises are high. Printing companies fall into the SME category.
Mr Inimankada said calendars and diaries are used to promote brands and have now been deemed an unnecessary expense.
With regard to his own company, he said production has fallen by two-thirds. Financing costs are high and sales are limited.
“A loan at an interest (rate) of 9 percent at least would help to keep this industry afloat,’’ he said.
Ariyadasa Weeraman, the managing director of the Samayawardhana Printers, said the production of calendars and diaries this year has dropped by 75%. Companies are reluctant since calendars cost around Rs. 300. Only two types of dairies have been printed compared with five previously.
Companies, including banks have decided not to print dairies.
Godage Publishers printed only titles related to 500 genres last year, down from the usual 1,000 genres, due to the high cost of raw materials.
“A book which was Rs. 350 or Rs. 400 previously is now Rs. 1,200. This has caused a fall in demand as well,” said Anura Siri Hettige, the project coordinator of Godage Publishers.
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