Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Wednesday, 11 December 2013 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Barbers from all over the island converged on the BMICH on 9 December to sign up for membership and vote for the inaugural office bearers of the new Sri Lanka Barbers Association. The Association was launched at the BMICH in Colombo under an initiative of Cosmotech Ltd., the sole distributors for ‘Wella’, ‘Wahl’, ‘Tuft’ and ‘Jericho’ products in Sri Lanka.
The meeting which kicked off with a welcome speech by Cosmotech Ltd. Chairman Shirantha Peries, who outlined the objectives and thinking behind the company’s initiative of forming the country’s 
first association solely for those in the barber profession said: “Sri Lanka currently has about 50,000 practicing barbers spread across the country with the largest concentration of about 15,000 working in the Western Province.
“The barbers of Sri Lanka have been continuously providing a yeoman service to the public of this country for decade upon decade. With the vibrant economic activity around us and with Sri Lanka gradually emerging as a regional hub, we felt the time was ripe for the formation of such an Association. This Association seeks to bring them together under a common umbrella and thus give their profession greater strength.”
The company took the initial step by donating a sum of Rs. 100,000 which will be utilised for the association’s administrative purposes until membership contributions begin to sustain it activities.
The event also featured a reading of the association’s new constitution and a hair styling demonstration by leading professionals in the field backed by Wella, Wahl, Tuft and Jericho products.
Nirosh Ranawa-karachchi was elected President of the Association while M. Balakrishnan was elected as its new Vice President. Its new Secretary is Chandana Wjesinghe while Cosmotech Ltd.’s Semali Weerasuriya was chosen as its Treasurer.
The primary objectives of the SLBA are to promote and foster interaction and the sharing of knowledge among practising barbers.
Special emphasis will also be paid to enhancing the skills of the local barber community through international exposure.
Plans are also underway to promote and train the barber community of Sri Lanka to maintain high standards related to safety, hygiene and current global trends. Added to this will also be competitions and events to reward and recognise outstanding performers in the industry.
Among its secondary objectives, the SLBA seeks to represent the barber community of Sri Lanka as an organised body in influencing, changing or facilitating national policy. It also gives members an association to represent them in their hour of need and thereby providing the security of belonging to such an organisation.
The Association will also organise and embark on schemes to secure the welfare and well being of members during their retirement.
Newly elected SLBA President Nirosh Ranawakarachchi lauded the move to form such a body: “This was long overdue. I’m happy we can now all join hands and take this industry to greater heights. Yes we need to give our barbers regional and international exposure so that they can further enhance their skills and thus earn more”. The 
newly elected SLBA Secretary Chandana Wjesinghe hailed the new Association as “a brilliant move in the right direction” and added that “this will take Sri Lanka’s entire hair dressing industry to the next level”.
Also present at the inaugural sessions were Wahl Clipper Corporation Director - Far East Sales Don Seale, Tai Wah Distributors 
Ltd. Singapore Manager Robert Wong, Wahl India Creative Director Renee Melek and Wahl India Brand Ambassador Amali Kandasamy.
Pix by Lasantha Kumara
