Traditional carpentry workshops will not be affected by President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to ban saw mills in a bid to preserve decreasing forest cover in the country, State Minister for Finance Eran Wickramaratne told Sunday Observer yesterday.
On Friday (7) a group of carpenters in Moratuwa took to streets threatening a hunger strike after President Sirisena made the announcement.The protest was led by the Moratuwa Urban Council chairman and members of the Council.
State Minister Wickramaratne who is in charge of the Moratuwa Electorate for the UNP said the President’s remarks had been taken out of context.
“Traditional carpentry shops, especially those in Moratuwa, will not be affected. The Government will not register new saw mills. This move was taken to stop illegal deforestation,” he said.
The State Minister added that the Government understood the necessity of sustaining the carpentry industry that spans hundreds of years. He added the country has to protect forest cover, while growing more trees for felling.
“That is the common practice in most countries. I also call upon the government to modernize the industry,” he concluded.