The Pakistan Government joins effort to boost Sri Lanka’s traditionally handloom textile industry by giving all assistance to open the handloom textile training project and the textile village at Kottala-Meerigama last week which Minister Rajapaksa has initiated under the guidance of Liya Abhiman Chairperson Attorney Pushpa Rajapaksatry.

The program will provide training courses, handlooms and other necessary equipment, technological assistance, new designs as well as a market for the products.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who participated at the event, said that while many countries tend to forget the village when reaching development goals, Sri Lankan Government treats both urban and rural areas equally since its programs are centered around the individual and the family.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner Casim Kureshi said that Pakistan-Sri Lanka ties have been strengthened through economic and trade cooperation. Pakistan’s export textiles generate US dollars 12.6 million annually.

Handlooms and other equipment provided with Pakistan’s assistance were distributed among 70 handloom operators with each industrialist getting items worth nearly Rs.100,000.

Among those present were Liya Abhiman Chairperson Attorney Pushpa Rajapaksa and Textile Department Director Vijitha Hemapriya.

Earlier handloom industrialists in several areas of the Gampaha District including Divulapitiya-Madampella and Kottala-Meerigama faced many problems which reduced their income. Under the new programs launched they have been provided with training courses, handlooms and other necessary equipment and technological assistance.