This document summarizes Sri Lanka's wood industry, focusing on the Moratuwa furniture cluster. It notes that the cluster has been in existence for decades but is currently incapable of producing quality furniture for export markets. It identifies issues like inadequate wood supply, lack of training and financing. Improvement strategies discussed include using research to upgrade small manufacturers, improving product quality, expanding markets, and minimizing pollution. The goal is to establish Moratuwa as a center of excellence for timber product design and innovation to increase exports and employment in the wood industry.

1. Prof Hiran Amarasekera
Department of Forestry and Environment Science
University of Sri Jayewardnepura
http://scholar.sjp.ac.lk/hiran
2018

2. Solid wood industries
Sawmilling, Furniture, Flooring,
Crafts….

3. Many logs in Sri Lanka end up in a sawmill 3

4. SAWMILLING – FRAME
SAW (MORATUWA)
4Prof. Hiran Amarasekera, 2013

5. FURNITURE
Moratuwa has a traditional furniture
cluster
5Prof. Hiran Amarasekera, 2013

6. MORATUWA FURNITURE
CLUSTER

7. http://www.slideshare.net/sahan/wooden-
toys-in-sri-lanka
7

8. Wood Based Composites
Plywood, Chipboard, Fibreboard

9. 9
Lanka Plywood, Kegalle
After closing CPC now SL has small scale plywood
mills

10. Chipboard furniture is very popular in
Sri Lanka
10

11. DAMRO FURNITURE

12. MERBOK MDF FACTORY,
HORANA

13. 13

14. MDF (FIBER BOARD)
Prof. Hiran Amarasekera 14

15. PULP AND PAPER
Forestry sector did not produce raw materia
our pulp mills (Embilipiya mill)
15

16. 16
Furniture
Parquet for flooring
Brush handles
Wooden panels
Wooden toys

17. 17
Construction timer –
kempus, balu from Malaysia
Furniture
Plywood, MDF, Chipboard
Pulp and paper

18.  Information Technology Division /Sri Lanka Export Development
Board
 H.44 Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal
-4,000.00
-2,000.00
0.00
2,000.00
4,000.00
6,000.00
8,000.00
10,000.00
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
TotalValueinLKR(millions)
Export performance
Exports
imports
Balance of trade
18Prof. Hiran Amarasekera, 2013

19. In a state of deterioration in terms of quality and competitiveness
inadequate wood supply in term of quality and quantity,
Unfavorable business climate,
Scarcity of trained manpower,
Lack of market opportunities, research support and
Lack of finances for investments to improve the industry.

20.  Lack of stable policy direction
 Excessive regulation of transport of wood and finished
products
 Bad image of the quality of the industry

21. Reason for using Rubber, Albizia, Imported timber? 21

22. MORATUWA FURNITURE
CLUSTER
Around
1700
industries
In
existence
for many
decades.
Incapable of
producing
quality
furniture for
the export
market.

23. Large firms use advanced technology
Have a integrated production process with saw
mills, timber seasoning and treatment facilities
Hence it is an organized cluster
Can be upgraded to by a comprehensive
development program.

24. Wood based industry study
for Forestry sector master
plan 1995
Upwood Project for upgrading
wood working industry in
Moratuwa - Ministry of
Enterprise Development,
Industrial Policy and
Investment Promotion, 2003
Wood Industry Development
study by Ministry of
Industries
Study on improvement of
Moratwua Furniture cluster
and Wewaldeniya cane
cluster – National Enterprise
Development Agency (NEDA)
and National Chamber of
Commerce - 2007

25.  Moratu Eliya
Kaldemulla, Thelawala,
Ratmalana, Borupana.
 Moratu Pitiya
Katubedda, Kuduwamulla.
 Moratu Uyana
Uyana, Rawathawaththa,
Angulana, Laxapathiya.
 Moratu Mulla
Moratumulla, Kadalana,
Willorawaththa, Molpe,
Indibedda.
 Morau Wella
Diggarolla, Horakele.
 Moratu Dikwella
Koralawella, Egodauyana,
Katukurunda

27. Carpentry
Industries
1445
Saw Mills 270
Total 1715

28.  Traditional Skill
Base
 Transport Facilities
 Physical
infrastructure
facilities such as
roads,
communication and
electricity
 Apprenticeship
Training Institute,
University of
Moratuwa and
University of Sri
Jayewardenepura
can provide the
skilled workforce and
S&T manpower

29.  1. Elmairah
 2. Bed
 3. Bookrack
 4. Cabinet
 5. Chair
 6. Cot
 7. Couch
 8. Cupboard
 9. Dressing Table
 10. Easy Chair
 11. Chair Set
 12. Stools
 14. Sofa
 15. Table

30. MARKETS OF MORATUWA
CLUSTER
80% of the furniture marketed are semi-
finished - furniture with out sanding and
polishing
Workshops with the floor area 250-500
sq.ft only produce semi-finished furniture
Large-company manufacturers make and
display both semi-finished and finished
furniture in their showrooms
Few companies undertake export orders

31. Use more high density timber (above 800kg/m3)
timber than low density wood (below 800kg/m3).
Timber is transported in log form or as sawn timber
shortage of good quality timber in required
quantities the local market,
Timber is imported to fill the gap.

32. Teak is the major
species
Mahogany, Jak,
Kolon, Satin
Alstonia, Ginisapu,
Lunumedella, Rubber

34. Improve utilization of available sustainable timber resourcesImprove
Improve product quality,Improve
Increase marketability of productsIncrease
Minimize environmental pollution.Minimize

35. 35

36.  Selected industries to upgrade into international standards
 Introduction of new technology
 Transfer of knowledge
 Providing systematic training
 Improving furniture designing,
 Timber preservation,
 Seasoning
 Machine maintaining capabilities.

37.  Use of research data on timber processing to upscaling and
redefining the small timber manufactures
 Improve utilization of available sustainable timber resources
 Increase the supply of raw materials to the Moratuwa
cluster
 Improve product quality
 Increase marketability of products
 Minimize environmental pollution.

38. Furniture industry needs new designs and
innovation to compete with imported 38

39. University
of
Moratuwa
University of Sri
Jayawardenepura
Ministry of
Science
Technology
and
Research

40. PROCESS
INNOVATION
WASTE
UTILIZATI
ON
VALUE CHAIN
ENHANCEMEN
T
CLEANER
PRODUCTION
PROCESS

41. Establish area of Moratuwa as region of excellence in
Timber Product designs.
Upscale and redefine the small timber manufactures in
Sri Lanka.
Capacity building through trainings, knowledge &
technology transferring.
Create unique branding identity to Sri Lankan Timber
designs & protect it through Intellectual Property Rights.

42.  Enhance high-end export market for
Sri Lankan Timber & Timber base
products
 Increase the percentage of
contribution to GDP by Timber &
Timber base product
 Exports for the Economic growth

43. Employment generation
Increasing the percentage of contribution
to GDP by Timber based products.
Dr Hiran Amarasekera
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
http://scholar.sjp.ac.lk/hiran twitter @hiran