Saw Millers Cluster makes voice on their business issues

A meeting was organised by the Saw Millers Cluster of the Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss critical issues pertaining to them, as the demand for the timber related products remain same even though there is a sharp inter-relation between the timber industry and environmental aspects.

The SMED Project of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka also organised the Cluster meeting.  Introduction of modern technology were also discussed at the meeting. 

It was revealed that obtaining transport permits were the main issue faced by the owners of the saw mills.  At present it has become a hindrance for them as they need to visit several times to the Divisional Secretariat and Forest Conservation Department to obtain different permits for cutting of trees, transporting to saw mills and then transporting to required places.  W. A. S. K. Abeyratne, Divisional Forest Officer explained the reasons for the delay in detail at this occasion.

Saw mill owners said that there are problems in determining the duration of the permit and, due to delays in issuing of permits, they are unable to transport timber to the places where required.  Saw mill owners stressed that this problem has to be taken into serious consideration of the officials concerned.  It was suggested that lenient procedure which is on transportation of furniture has to be imposed on retail timber transportation too.

It was agreed to organise a one-day session by the Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry to strengthen knowledge on providing data to the Forest Conservation Board. Further issues such as Employees Provident Fund related were tabled and discussed.  In order to minimise irregularities, it was agreed to work with the State Timber Corporation in close relations.  The Cluster agreed to utilise all disposals of saw mills for production of energy and then the Cluster was agreed to produce Fire Brickets.  SMED agreed to introduce this methodology to the entire Kandy District.

The Cluster members said that these measures not only will help the development of the timber industry, but also find solutions for environmental impacts and complexities.  Saw Millers Cluster was formed by Project SMED, the technical arm of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka with leadership of Central Province Chamber of Commerce & Industry.