Our Chairperson, Mrs. Shirani Weerakooninvited by Mrs. Sumedha Kumaraarachchi, Manager of Rural Upliftment at SDB Bank, to attend the opening session of the re-launch of the handmade paper production center owned by Mr. Dhanapala in Rikillagaskada, located within the Hanguranketha Divisional Secretariat in the Nuwara Eliya District. The event was also included a visit to the tourist cottages being developed by an entrepreneur in Mandaramnuwara, aimed at promoting nature-based tourism.

We extend our gratitude to the organizers at SDB Bank for inviting our Chairperson to participate in this meaningful event. It is worth noting that Mrs. Shirani Weerakoon played a pivotal role in supporting Mr. Dhanapala to commence this small-scale business during the 1990s, when she served as the Director of the Department of Small Industries. Her efforts were instrumental in promoting environmentally friendly local industries that leverage natural resources.

The Institute for Rural Sustainable Development (IRSD) would like to commend SDB Bank for its dedication to reviewing the current situation of this industry and extending support to revive it. This initiative is particularly significant in light of the economic challenges the country has faced, which have adversely affected many local industries.

We wish the event every success and hope it will mark a positive step forward in the upliftment of rural communities and the promotion of sustainable development initiatives.