Mevan Pieris, in The Island, 11 August 2011, which has the title “Keeping Dipped Products Glove Factory Closed Seems a Huge Mistake and a National Disaster”
I have read with great concern and sorrow, the reports that have appeared in the news papers regarding the events that have led to the temporary closure of Dipped Products Plc factory at Weliweriya. This organization began as a joint venture between Hayleys Ltd and Richard Pieris & Co Ltd in the mid-1970s at Kottawa, to add value to raw rubber at a time when the latex based glove making industry of our country was in its infancy. The venture began to produce gloves for the export market without any foreign technologists assisting, and has since then, grown to be the world’s fifth largest producer of household & industrial rubber gloves, in the world. During this journey, Dipped Products Plc (DPL ) has expanded operations to Weliweriya and Hanwella, generating employment to many Sri Lankans and has made a major contribution towards earning a good image for Sri Lanka in the global market, as a centre of excellence in rubber glove production. DPL has even been able to set up factories in other parts of the world and can be considered to be one of the best examples of how Sri Lankans can by their own capabilities, with little or no assistance from foreigners, become a global giant. Needless to say, during this period DPL has taken enormous care not to damage the external environment. A very high standard of social responsibility has been displayed by this organization. I have very recently supervised an undergraduate research project of the waste water disposal system at DPL and write this article with first hand knowledge of DPL practices, in the fervent hope that it would contribute towards solving the prevailing problem of national importance. Continue reading →
