KARACHI, July 11: The Sri Lanka Association of Printers (SLAP) has offered assistance to its counterparts in Pakistan in setting up a printing and graphics technology school and organizing the 4th South Asian Print Congress and Exhibition in Pakistan.

The offer was made by the SLAP President, Mr Jayampathi Sumithrarachchi, who was speaking at a dinner hosted by the Pakistan Association of Printing and Graphic Arts Industry (PAPGAI) at a local hotel on Thursday in honour of the delegates of the 3rd South Asian Print Congress and Exhibition (August 14-17, 2003) in Colombo.

Mr Sumithrarachchi stressed the need for concerted efforts by the two associations for the development, protection and continuity of this industry.

Referring to the Colombo moot, which would be an international trade exhibition, he said this would be a good opportunity providing an appropriate forum to discuss and exchange knowledge and experience — an essential requirement for the growth of resources.

Keerthi Gunawarda, chairman of the Colombo event, highlighted the programmes and the technological changes, taking place in the industry, with the help of slides and videos.

Kosala Thilakaratne, secretary of the SLAP, replied to the queries about the association and its programmes.

Earlier, welcoming the guest the PAPGAI’s Vice Chairman, S. M. Salahuddin, presented a brief history of the association and opined that the print industry could compete with its international rivals if the association was duly encouraged by the government.

He pointed out that the industry was the second largest labour-oriented one but due to neglect, it could not play a pivotal role. He observed that two printing technology schools were functioning in Sri Lanka with the cooperation of the Netherlands and European Union. So far, he added, more that 3,000 students had been awarded diploma by these institutions.

Later, Ahmed Mirza Jamil and Asad Habib gave vote of thanks and the guest were presented shields of PAPGAI as memento of their visit to Karachi.