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Over Kilinochchi debacle

Over Kilinochchi debacle
Some UNPers propose no-faith motion against govt.
by Shamindra Ferdinando

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to examine a proposal by a section of the UNP to move a no-confidence motion against the government for the losses, the army suffered at Paranthan-Kilinochchi sectors last week, party sources told ‘The Island’ yesterday.

Mr. Wickremesinghe is scheduled to return today from London after completing a three week tour of San Francisco, Washington, New York and London. During his stay abroad, the army lost control of Kilinochchi secured in 1996 but recaptured Mankulam, the main town situated south of Kilinochchi.

"Mr. Wickremesinghe is expected to go in for discussions with senior partymen and also close associates on this proposal soon after his return," party sources said.

A section of the party feels the UNP must move a no-confidence motion against the government for what it describes as the ‘Kilinochchi debacle’. However many other partymen have indicated that the party will not gain anything by moving a no-confidence motion at this time. "The majority feels that the UNP must not move a no-confidence motion against the government over the losses suffered at Kilinochchi" party sources said.

"This is not the time" a Working Committee official told The Island yesterday morning. The UNP has a right to inquire into the welfare of the wounded soldiers, question the government on its war strategies and do whatever possible to help the armed forces in their battle against the LTTE, he said pointing out nothing could be gained from moving a no-confidence motion against the ruling party at this point of time. Party sources said that those who were supportive of a no-confidence motion and those against it are to make representations to the leader this week.

Working Committee sources said the UNP must not change its position just because of a major LTTE attack on the army. Both the Parliamentary Group and the Working Committee are expected to discuss the last week’s battles which left over 1500 dead on both sides. Ruling party sources said that despite losing control of Kilinochchi, the forces will go ahead with planned operations in the Wanni region and also in other parts of the North-East districts. "Troops are already operating ahead north of Mankulam town" the same sources said adding that operations are continuing.

Despite losing control of Kilinochchi town and being forced to pull back four and half kilometres backwards from the town, the army secured the strategic Mankulam town.

The army has established their positions south of Paranthan.

The military said that troops were engaged in further consolidating their positions south of Paranthan as Air Force and artillery engaged strong concentrations of enemy groups further southwards of Paranthan and north of Elephant Pass.

The military admitted that the level of enemy activity has been reduced off Paranthan. However they remain in the area, a senior officer said.

He did not rule out the possibility of fresh attacks on Paranthan defences.

Political sources said that both the ruling party and the UNP admit that the ongoing battle against the LTTE should not be called off even for the resumption of negotiations with the terrorist group. The UNP leader was on record as saying that the war must go on even if the government initiates talks with the LTTE.

Ruling party sources said that despite repeated terrorist attacks, particularly major operations launched against Jayasikuru forces, Mullaithivu base and now Kilinochchi, armed forces have been able to increase their power in the North East region. The military said that although troops had been forced to pull back 41/2 kms last week, the overland main supply route from Palaly/Kankesanthurai to Paranthan remains intact. The ongoing Wanni offensive was aimed at regaining the control of the Jaffna-Vavuniya road. The LTTE in 1990 brought the Vavuniya-Jaffna road its control after the army vacated camps.

Successor to Liam Fox due to open British trade fair
British State Minister here next month
by Shamindra Ferdinando

The British Minister of State, Derek Fatchett will visit Sri Lanka early next month, diplomatic sources told The Island .The Minister of State in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Fatchett is the senior most official scheduled to visit Colombo since Tony Blair’s Labour Party came into power in May 1997.

Minister Fatchett is the successor to Dr. Liam Fox who mediated between President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe early last year.

Fatchett was previously scheduled to visit in late April this year. His mandate covers South Asia, West Asia and the North Africa.

"Because of overriding commitments in London, Derek Fatchett has had to postpone the familiarisation visit which he had hoped to make in late April," the British High Commission spokesperson, Nick Ashbury told The Island on April 7.

In April Foreign Ministry officials ruled out the possibility of any foreign government initiated effort to recommence negotiations between the government and the LTTE after Fatchett’s visit resulted in speculation that the British was involved in covert moves to bring Velupillai Prabhakaran back to the negotiating table.

Both the government and the UNP have repeatedly accused each other of breaking the agreement reached with Dr. Liam Fox’s assistance. The agreement calls for a common approach to the North-East crisis.

During his brief stay here, Fatchett is expected to meet Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris, the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and several other politicians both in the ruling party and the opposition.

The visit takes place just two months after the British High Commissioner, David Tatham urged the Tamil community abroad to end funding the ongoing war in Sri Lanka. In a separate development both the British and Irish Parliaments in early July approved a British proposal to adopt emergency measures against both local and international terrorism. Senior Sri Lankan officials have said that the British move will help the government to fight the LTTE.

Fatchett’s scheduled visit, according to the British High Commission is connected with 50th anniversary year of Sri Lanka’s independence. The High Commission and the Department of Trade and Industry in Britain are making arrangements to hold a three day series of trade and cultural activities beginning November 9.

Although the British Trade 98 will start with the unveiling of the new Rover Freelander at the Oberoi on November 6, the ceremonial opening will take place on November 9 with Derek Fatchett’s participation, the British High Commission stated in a news release issued yesterday.

The British High Commission press release is as follows:

The British High Commission and the Department of Trade & Industry in Britain are organising a series of trade, cultural and seminar events in Colombo, between November 9-11 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence

The centrepiece will be a British Trade Fair at the Lanka Oberoi Hotel, featuring an exhibition of successful Anglo/Sri Lankan business and investment partnerships. Over 50 companies will exhibit a broad range of products and services. Also on show will be a number of British companies new to the country, who are interested in developing long-term business relationships in Sri Lanka.

A series of seminars and interactive workshops will also take place at the Oberoi, with experts flown in from the Britain to deliver detailed information on Management and Leadership, International Standards — ISO9000 & ISO14000, Renewable Energy — Sources and Finance, Ceramics — New technologies and techniques, Training — English Language for Middle Management.

A Fashion Show, featuring a blend of UK designs and products from Sri Lanka’s leading apparel manufacturers, will highlight the close links between the two countries in the clothing industry.

British Trade 98, will start with the unveiling of the new ‘Rover Freelander’, at the Oberoi Hotel, on Friday November 6. The ceremonial opening of the trade fair will take place on Monday November 9. It will be attended by Mr. Derek Fatchett MP, Minister of State in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British High Commissioner, Mr. David Tatham. Invitations are being sent to; Lakshman Kadirgamar, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kingsley Wickrema-ratne, Minister for Internal & International Commerce & Food, and C. V. Gooneratne, Minister for Industrial Development.

Cultural highlights of the week include productions of Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors’ and ‘Henry V’, by the Watermill Theatre Company, at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, presented in association with the British Council.

The British Trade Fair ’98 is sponsored by: Hongkong Bank, Mott MacDonald, Standard Chartered Bank, P & O and Unilever.

For further information or to reserve a ticket for seminars, please contact: Mr. Lee Jennings, Second Secretary (Commercial), British High Commission, 190, Galle Road, Colombo 3.

Restraining order on film 'Girl Friend' dissolved
by V. Varathasuntharam

Commercial High Court Judge P. Wijeratne last Friday made order dissolving the Enjoining Order that had restrained the screening of the film "Girl Friend" and the exhibition of the song "Renga Renga".

The plaintiff was Gratian Ananda. The respondents are the producer of the film S. Kanapathipillai and the State Film Corporation.

The trial in respect of the economic rights of the song for the plaintiff under the Code of Intellectual Property Act was fixed for December 1, 1998.

Asoka Senasinghe instructed by Sarath Soysa appeared for the plaintiff.

L. C. Seneviratne (PC) with J. E. P. Deraniyagala (PC), Nihal Fernando and S. D. Yogendra instructed by Mather and Ramanathan appeared for the producer of the film.

Senior State Counsel Asanga Gunawanse with State Counsel Kuruwita Bandara appeared for the State Film Corporation.

Several schools without desks and chairs
From Polonnaruwa Corr.

A severe shortage of furniture is reported from many schools in the Polonnaruwa district. "The situation has aggravated following enrolment of new advanced level students to schools during the past month" education sources said.

The total number of schools in the district is 215. That's 52, 87 and 76 in Thamankaduwa, Hingurakgoda and Dimbulagala education zones respectively. The shortage of furniture, particularly desks and chairs categorized as "children's desks" and chairs, for students in year 6 and over is so severe that some newly enrolled advanced level students have to share a desk with three others, sources added.

In a Maha Vidyalaya there were 140 new advanced level students and none of them has a chair to sit on and the principals had to find an alternative substituting junior desks as chairs.

In January this year the Department of Education had estimated the shortage in each school. The principals had furnished the figures to which there has been no response so far, sources said.

Meanwhile, a principal who wished to remain anonymous, told 'The Island' that his school didn't have adequate school furniture especially children's desks and chairs. This has been the sad situation for the past three years. "We have taken up this matter several times, but to no avail" he lamented.

Employment opportunities for medical graduates

Under the auspices of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, a workshop was held recently to assess the employment opportunities of medical officers, the SLMA stated in a communique.

This workshop was well represented and included representatives from Ministry of Health Sri Lanka Medical Council, College of General Practitioners, GMOA, Deans of Faculties of Medicine and Medical Student’s Unions.

The following are the recommendations made pertaining to the Government:

• to urge the government that the percentage of GDP per capita allocation to the health sector be increased from the present very low level, so that in the years to come the infrastructure could be developed.

• to implement the labour laws to provide adequate medical care in private sector institutions with large numbers of employees.

• to urge the plantation sector to employ a sufficient number of medical officers to cater to the health needs of the plantation workers.

• to fund a training programme for doctors to train them in general practice. The training programme would be organized by the College of General Practitioners. The College will provide a document in this connection in due course.

• to assess the health needs of the country and to emphasize the quality of patient care. This will enable the government to project more realistically the need for more medical officers.

• it was agreed in principle that attempts should be made to train specialists, for the private sector.

• to urge the government to assist the private sector to provide low cost hospitals to cater to the needs of the middle class who cannot afford in-door treatment in expensive private medical institutions but are unhappy with the level of comfort provided in non-paying government hospitals.

• if the government cannot absorb all doctors who complete internship in the future a scheme should be formulated early for recruitment of doctors to the state sector on a rational and just basis.

• to have a system of regular co-ordination among the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Higher Education, the University Grants Commission the Sri Lanka Medical Council and the Sri Lanka Medical Association on deciding the medical students intake and increasing the medical officer cadres to suit the current needs of the country.

• to urge the government not to increase the medical student intake to existing faculties of medicine without considering the quality of training and facilities available.

• to decide in principle not to create any more medical faculties if adequate staff and facilities cannot be provided for these faculties and if health care infrastructure cannot be improved to a corresponding level to accommodate them when they graduate.

• to inform the public that foreign medical graduates will be registered to practice medicine in Sri Lanka only if the relevant universities are recognized by the Sri Lanka Medical Council and that the foreign graduates pass the qualifying examination conducted by the SLMC.

The above recommendations have been already forwarded to Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine for his observations and necessary action.

Musical show to raise funds for disabled soldiers specialised housing scheme on Nov. 1
By Azhara Raban

The Lions Clubs of Nugegoda Central, Nugegoda and Negom-bo in association with the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Sri Lanka Army will stage a musical show in November to raise funds to launch a specialised housing scheme for disabled soldiers.

Asoka Goonawar-dena, the past district governor of Lions Club told a press conference at the Army Headquarters that the musical show to be held at the Sugathadasa Indoor stadium on November 1 would feature Sohan and the Experiments and Siha Shakthi and other artistes.

He said that the entire proceeds from this show titled "Veerodhara Upahara- a Festival of Music", will be used for this housing project. He said that the houses would have special features for the convenience of the disabled soldiers. They would be devoid of steps. and will have special toilets and other facilities.

They will be constructed on a block of land 26 acres in extent at Salava Estate, Avissawella, Mrs. Daluwatta, President of the Seva Vanitha Unit said. They are hoping to construct 210 houses estimated to cost Rs. 270,000 each.

Mr. Goonawardena said they planned to continue this concept and raise funds every year to develop it. They are planning to ask foreign companies to help this project by providing equipment and other facilities to enable disabled soldiers to engage in self-employment activities.

The premium seats at the musical show will be allocated for the disabled soldiers and those accompanying them, he said. " We consider them to be our Chief Guests for the evening. The services top brass and the Lion dignitaries will take a back seat", he said. The premium seats allocated for the disabled soldiers would be sponsored by several mercantile establishments.

The Sri Lanka Army with the help of government funds has built 600 houses during the past 6 years, Brigadier Nimal Krishnaratne said. Another 170, which are under construction at present would be completed by the course of this year, he said.

The houses are provided to the most deserving cases. They are selected from a list of nominees provided by the Army Head Quarters after an interview, Brigadier Krish-naratne said.

All contributions towards this project would be tax-free, he further said.

Foundation stone for halfway house laid

The long standing objective of the Communication Centre for Mental Health (CCMH), to provide a stepping stone for hospitalization to full rehabilitation into normal life for persons recovering from mental disabilities was realized on September 6, with the laying of the foundation stone for Shantialaya — a model halfway house.

The project was made possible by a generous donation from Mrs. Damayanti Peiris, a member of the CCMH. The foundation stone was laid by the Chairman Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha, Dalton Janaka Bandara at Uswetakeiyawa.

Speakers on the occasion were Jayalath Nanayakkara, Deputy Chairman, Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha, Prof. Carlo Fonseka, Dr. Shelton Wanasinghe and Mrs. Lorna Wright.

The introduction to the small ceremony was made by Brother Emmanuel, Chairman Lassallian Community Education Services. "It is a sense of commitment that brought all of you together" said Brother Emmanuel. He commended the CCMH in their effort to ameliorate the major setback to society caused by the very low priority given to help recovering patients to enter the mainstream of society.

"This commitment" he added "and the conviction you have that mental health patients can be reconnected with their loved ones, will be the "unseen hand of God" that will help you not just to build a house with bricks, cement and water, but to establish a home filled with the spirit of hope and contentment.

He included in his speech a very appropriate quotation from the Bible, (St. Luke Chapter 14), which emphasised that faith in our conviction and commitment will make our project realisable; "for which of you desiring to built a tower, does not first sit down and count the costs, whether he has enough to complete it? otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him saying, "this man began to build and was not able to finish".

Richard de Soysa murder probe
CID directed to produce report on threats to witness
By Himangi Jayasundere

Colombo Additional Magistrate recently directed the CID to hold an inquiry and produce a report on threats received by witness E. V. Karunadasa in the Richard De Soysa murder probe since he commenced giving evidence to the court. This was due to an application made by state counsel Ransiri Fernando regarding the protection of the witness as he had received several threats.

When proceedings were resumed last week witness E. V. Karunadasa continuing his evidence to Anil Silva who appeared for the second accused, B. G. Devasurendra said that when he returned after putting the dogs in the four persons who had been near the gate wanting to search the house had entered. While one of them remained in the sitting room the others began to search the rooms. The room in which I and my wife slept was searched first.

Defence Counsel : Do you remember very well that your room was searched? In your first statement to the Welikada police you have not said so.

Witness : In that instance I was asked about the people who came.

Later they went in to the rooms of Dr. Manori Saravanamuttu and Richard De Soysa. I was prevented from entering the rooms by one of the men who threatened me. In Richard De Soysa’s room I heard one of the men asking, who is this? Mrs. Saravana-muttu said this is my son Richard. After about ten minutes they brought Richard out into the sitting room. All four started dragging him down the staircase. Although I tried to follow them, the person in shorts stopped me.

Defence Counsel : In your first statement to the Welikada police you did not say that a person in shorts was among those who came.

Witness : If I remember right I did say so.

D.C. : Defence suggests that the person in shorts is a new story

W.: No your honor, such a person came.

D.C : This person in shorts in your first statement is identified as the second accused.

An inquiry was held by the CID. You were taken to meet a person called Bandula ‘Show’ Wickramasighe? I was asked to go and meet him.

For how long did you give your statement? Two, three hours.

You were asked to participate in an identification parade by the CID? Yes

On the day of the incident you said that the second accused was in a pair of shorts and a light blue T-shirt. Did you identify the second accused in the parade? Yes

D.C .: That day you watched the parade and when you were getting ready to leave you identified the second accused. Then you said a person similar to him was there? Yes by then he had grown his hair and his beard and changed his appearance.

Defence suggests that the fact that the second accused came that day is false.

W : I say that he came.

D.C : Second witness says that he never shaved his beard while serving in the police force.

You were taken to an army camp by army officer named Thoradeniya to try to identify some officers who came there. You were also shown a photograph. Did the person in the photograph have a beard? No

Defence suggests that the fact that you were shown a photograph is a lie. Witness : Both my wife and Mrs. Iranganie Serasighe were present at the time I was taken away by Thoradeniya.

You told them that you were being taken to be shown a photograph?. No

D.C. : Did you see any of these people appear on TV? In May 1990, when I was staying with Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali, I saw a similar person on the Sinhala news on Rupavahini.

In your statement to the police you say that you did not get a good look at the people who came as you were in a troubled state.

(At this point state counsel Ransiri Fernando objected stating that the question was illegal. The magistrate allowed the application.)

A. R. C. Perera appearing for the third accused, M. Sarathchandra examining the witness asked the following questions.

D.C. : Did you ever identify the third accused? I don’t know the name of the third accused, in the newspapers I’ve seen it is something like Sarathchandra.

Then what you said earlier was a lie that you don’t know him? I don’t accept that I lied to the court. When did you get to know his name? In 1997. However you could remember his appearance since the incident occurred seven years ago.

In your first statement to the police you did not describe this person although it was the first opportunity you got to do so? I might have been threatened.

According to your evidence the threats came after the funeral? No there were threats even earlier. Did you tell anyone else, his friends? No

But during all this time his description was in your mind. You had some important facts in your mind but you did not tell anyone? I told Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali.

You know very well that Mr. Athulathmudali is dead now, so you say this without fear.

Later you gave evidence to the commission. Then did you give details of his appearance? No

After the commission when was the next time you gave evidence in an official capacity? When I gave a statement to the CID. I was asked to come there at 10.00 am.

What time did you leave? Around 5.00 pm.

D.C. : When my learned friend questioned, you said that you were there only for two or three hours? I went with my wife and child. My child was asleep, so we waited till he woke up.

In your statement to the CID you haven’t given the description of the third accused? I have as one of those who came on the day of the incident.

Proceedings took place in the presence of Colombo Additional magistrate Anoma Dilrukshi Wije-wardene. Daya Perera and Kalinga Indatissa appeared for the first accused in the case. Anil Silva and Ganesh Dharmawardena appeared for the second accused and A. R. C Perera with Dilum Deabrew appeared for the third accused. Further proceedings were fixed for October 9.

Mahaweli Ministry to plant Ehala trees around Kandy Lake

In a move to revive the distinct features of the Kandy town the Ministry of Mahaweli Development is planning to plant Ehala trees around the Kandy lake, Municipal Council sources told 'The Island'.

This was mooted by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development recently, following a meeting with Kandy Mayor Harendra Dunuwila.

The Secretary Mahaweli Development, Tilak Ranaviraja, has offered to provide Ehala plants to the Kandy Municipal Council so that the KMC may arrange to plant them around the Kandy lake.

It's chronicled that Ehala trees were around the Kandy lake till the last Sinhala king Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe ordered to cut them down because the trees bore the same name of Ehalapola Adigar, whom the king branded as a traitor.

Ehalapola Adigar joined hands with the British and led several riots against the king as the king was not popular among the high cast of the Kandyan kingdom. However, later Ehalepola turned back and rose against the British colonialists. He was then arrested and was banished to Mauritius, according to historians.

The secretary has suggested to the Mayor that the help of school children in Kandy be obtained to plant Ehala and look after the plants in given areas round the lake till the plants are mature and no longer need care. Casia fistula, the botanical name for Ehala, puts out pendulous masses of yellow flowers from March to June. The bark and pods are of immense value in traditional medicine.

If the secretary's suggestion finds favour , the Kandy Lake will be lined with the flowering Ehala. Ehala starts flowering from June and last till the Esala pageant is over. (SB)

21 national champions receive awards at NYSO competition
By Azhara Raban

Twenty one national champions received certificates in seven categories at the certificate and prize awarding ceremony of the National Youth Skills Olympic Competition 1997/98 at the Elphinstone Hall, Maradana last Friday. Three winners were chosen from each category; masonry, plumbing, carpentry, house wiring, motor mechanism, lathe working and stenography.

Apart from these winners certificates were given under district levels chosen from these categories. There were also 17 national consolation prizes and 31 district consolation prizes which were awarded.

Minister of Industrial Development C. V. Gooneratne told at the ceremony that the training provided by the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority is well suited for Sri Lanka’s industrial development that is fast catching up. Since the present government came into power 492 factories have been created and the government has reduced the upfront cost by 40%.

The only way to prevent youth unrest in the country is to provide the kind of training parted by the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Institute, the Minister said adding that a bright future is ahead for these youngsters.

Batty Weerakoon stressed on the importance of training prior to employment unlike before when most Sri Lankan youth used to seek employment without any form of training.

Govt. keen to develop electronics industry
- Minister
By Himangi Jayasundere

The government seeks to develop more and more opportunities for the electronic industry and other industries to trade in the close regional markets. We are also taking every opportunity to promote the interests of the electronic industry to more distant regional markets like the UK and Japan, said Minister of Internal and International Commerce and Food Kingsley T. Wickra-maratne recently. He was speaking at the inauguration of a two day seminar at the Lanka Oberoi, Colombo on the challenges of exporting electronic goods.

Exports of electronic products during the period 1995 to 1997 exceeded Rs 2382 million. With the help and determination of the electronic industry we hope to touch the Rupees 3 billion mark this year he said. He further said that both UK and Japan continued to offer much appreciated advice and financial assistance in the development of the trade. Adding that he was aware that the current common wealth funded project aimed at developing our export trading opportunities in the UK had borne fruit in the form of several trading opportunities being identified.

The minister observed that greater levels of exporting success have been achieved from those industries which are much more dependent upon the application of highly developed personal skills and modern production methods, such as the garments trade and other manufacturing industries.

He pointed out that it was extremely encouraging to see that the entrepreneurs of small and medium sized electronic companies are developing their enterprise skills and taking on the world, whilst Sri Lanka’s larger corporations are not yet willing to meet the export challenge in the electronics sector. He said that he was aware of the problems faced by the electronic industry because of the competition from abroad even in the domestic market.

However the government is optimistic of the importance that your industry will make in the future - when other low technology industries will be unable to compete. The nation will need to look to your industries to make a considerable contribution to balance our trade with the rest of the world, he said.

Director General of Export Development Board (EDB) Laksh-man Hewawasm in his welcome address said that the seminar would examine and discuss difficulties in exporting Sri Lanka’s electronic products with academics from the electronic industry and the government.

To record and encourage levels of progress made by companies and make them aware of export opportunities and prepare for further expansion of exports were rated as primary objectives.

Geoffrey Fragher, Consultant Engineer for the Commonwealth Secretary said that for the last 18 months he has had the opportunity to study the Sri Lankan electronic industry. He said that a good level of success had been achieved in helping individual companies.

The Sri Lankan government has shown every intention to protect export sales in electronics. He said that there must be an aim to positively encourage the Sri Lankan electronic industry without overdue intervention from the government. suggesting the introduction of practical assistance from aid agencies and other international organisations, he said that Sri Lanka must have exports to survive and prosper.

Among the several suggestions made by him were seeking the skills of now retired senior business academics in guiding and advising younger businessmen, enhancing subcontract services to form joint partnerships in Sri Lanka. He also pointed out a shortage in subcontracts.

Mr. Fragher further suggested more initiatives in sharing financial risks, the lack of which would expose the industry to a disadvantage in the international market. He also pointed out the government’s ability to offer loans guarantee and putting to use the knowledge of academics and university graduates in product design skills .One idea expressed by him was a internationally recognised test laboratory to determine the safety and fitness of electronic goods before they are exported. He also pointed out the importance of infrastructure needed to develop electronics exports. There is little doubt that Sri Lanka has an abundance of talent in creative art but it has not been directed to the electronic industry he observed.

He said that he was often asked as to what products should be developed and exported. However the answer he said varied due to the diversity of enterprises. The important issue is talent enthusiasm and determination to succeed, he said.

The seminar was organised by the EDB The Electronic Manufacturers and Exporters Association and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute.

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