Due to a huge sum of foreign exchange being spent by the Sri Lankan Government in the import of cotton threads for manufacturing handloom textiles, the Southern Provincial Industries Ministry of Sri Lanka has made a move to manufacture textiles using bamboo and plantain fibres. The Ministry has sought assistance and cooperation of the Ruhuna University Agriculture Faculty for the same. Except bamboo and plantain, being explored by countries like China and Philippines as well, the Ministry is also exploring the possibilities of using fibres from wetakeiya and pineapple trees. The Ministry plans to earn revenue and foreign exchange by producing these textile for suitable local and foreign markets.
