Indian technology to boost handloom industry

Irangika Range

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's handloom industry is to receive a fillip through the introduction of a brand new technology that would improve the quality and volume of handloom manufacture.

Cabinet approval has been granted to employ this high productive machinery named "Tara" widely used in India. "The technology has been successfully used in the handloom textile industry in India with quality output," Textile Industry Development Minister Jayatissa Ranaweera said.

Initially 10 such machines will be used as an experimental exercise in the local handloom textile industry to check its suitability for improving manufacture.

The Minister said each machine costing US $ 1,273 can be easily used to turn out 60 inch width textile fabric. The machinery would also double the efficiency over traditional handloom weaving machinery.

Ranaweera said he expects to sign an MoU with the Indian manufacturer to forge technical co-operation at the second stage.

"If this technology proves a success, the Ministry would take steps to popularise this technology to benefit the local handloom industry," he said.