Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Thriposha to capture export market with enhanced production: Measures to uplift revenue to be self sufficient

Thriposha in Kandana is planning to increase production with a view of exports to the region, a first for Sri Lanka's for the production facility. The entity which comes under the management of the Health Ministry is also aiming to be a self-funding entity.

Sri Lanka Thriposha Chairman, M.D. Bandusena speaking to ‘Daily News Business’ said that they are heavily dependent on the Treasury which pumps in over Rs. 500 million annually to up keep the institution.

He recalled that the Sri Lanka Thriposha was built in the 1973 through a grant by the CARE International with the aim for the production of “thriposha “ a supplementary food item introduced to alleviate malnutrition in the country among pregnant females,lactating mothers, infants and pre-school children, who are among the poorest in the country. It was initially managed by the Ceylon Tobacco Company and in the late 1090’s through mutual agreement it was handed over to the Health Ministry .

The government then managed it and during recent times, a private sector mentality was infused to the institution by then Chairman, Kiran Attapattu who was the CEO of Colombo Engineering. “I took over from him and followed up on his good work.”

He said that one of the biggest problems that were being faced by Sri Lanka, Thriposha was the aging machinery which was over 30 years old. There were several breakdowns and sometimes machines have to be shut down for several weeks till the spare parts arrived from USA.”

He said that due to this they could not meet the local demand and this was there was a huge demand. After this matter was brought to the President Maithripala Sirisena's attention, who knew the inside out of the institution being the former Health Minister, he allocated Rs. 500 million from Budget 2016 to purchase and install new machine. In Budget 2015, the annual allocation was Rs 2.5 billion.

He said that they followed tender procedure, Cabinet approval and managed to get the same US company to install new machinery. “The US Company also agreed to repair and replace some of the aging machinery.”

President Maithripala Sirisena opened the modernised Thriposha plant in Kandana last month.

“With this the factory production capacity will increase and firstly we will be able to meet the government demand.”

Secondly we hope to supply to the local open market and the products will come in 100, 250, 500 and 750 gram packs. “They would be available at supermarkets and retail stores from next month,” said Mahesh Thawalampola, Marketing Manager.

The Chairman said that from April they hope to export to Maldives and Bangladesh and look at African countries from August.

“This would for the first time bring in revenue that was something which the institution never encountered for as it was a free service entity. The revenue would not only come in rupees but in US dollars as well.”

He said that when this export market comes they will provide additional employment for over 70. We will also then be in a position to create a Research and Development unit which would also be another first for Sri Lanka Thriposha, Chairman, Bandusena proudly said.

He said in addition with the increased production they will buy more maize and other raw material from Sri Lanka which will result in more cultivation. “We will also pay more for local farmers produce opening up a new avenue of opportunities in the agricultural sector and helping the rural economy. It would also create an additional SME industry.” “This is the time I am sure we will be able to be a financially self-sufficient institution and from 2018 end I am sure Sri Lanka Thriposha will be able to financially contribute back to the government.”

He said that they are also looking at making animal feed from the waste of the factory.“Currently this is being sold without value addition and we see tremendous potential to make animal feed from this.”