Famed 'Maradamunai' sarongs emerge as Batticaloa revives handloom industry

The famed 'Maradamunai' sarongs may emerge in all its pomp and glory as eastern Batticaloa efforts to revive a dead industry - handlooms. Speaking on the sidelines of the news briefing in Colombo to announce the Batticaloa International Trade Exhibition (BITE), V. Ranjithamoorthy, President Batticaloa District Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, told the Business Times that their quest for new avenues of income for the people of the area has led to reviving the handloom industry which is almost dead. He said that once it is well developed they expect a substantial export market while the locals would enjoy the famous "Maradamunai” sarongs. BITE, on for the second time and being held from 12 to 14 October will serve as the gateway for trade activities of other districts of the Eastern Province - Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Ampare and Trincomalee. Revealed by the organizers - Lanka Exhibitions and Conference Services (LECS), Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Batticaloa Chamber of Commerce at the BITE launch last week, in addition to the main business and trading areas of fisheries and agriculture, BITE is open to a large range of other trade activities. The organizers expect exhibitors from other countries, in addition to the lo- cals. It would open up for the local entrepreneurs the export market and also the technology transfer as they expect the foreign entrepreneurs to set up their industries here with modern technology. Meanwhile Mr Ranjithamoorthy said that already around 20 fully operative handloom centres have been started. He said that they have got orders from such countries like Canada and Britain.

They are offering those people who are interested in handloom industry, with knowhow and various seminars and workshops. Financial assistance is provided under a scheme implemented by the Asian Development Bank channeled through the local banks. The loans for this handloom industry range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 250,000. He said that there is a distant possibility of even growing cotton once they obtain expert advice, but that is a distant plan.