Government and industry at odds
27/08/2007
A dispute between the Sri Lankan government and the local footwear industry shows no signs of easing up.
Speaking during a publicity exercise to announce a new footwear exhibition in the island's capital, Colombo, local footwear manufacturers took the government to task for failing to invest in Sri Lankan footwear for government contracts, including boots for the military.
One government minister, Professor G.L. Peiris reacted by saying that the government had already imposed import taxes on each pair of footwear coming in from overseas. He also said the cabinet would debate a proposal to make it obligatory for government footwear contracts to go to local manufacturers.
The new event will take place between November 24 and 26.
