Overview of Ceramic Manufacturing Industry

Sri Lanka is a country with a limited raw material base. Yet, it has certain topper of raw materials capable of providing backward linkages with the potential to promote foreign investments. Domestic value addition has become an essential factor when exporting products utilizing duty advantages offered under trading arrangements. Ceramic sector stands on top in meeting with value addition criteria and move up the value chain with strong backward integration within the country (BOI, 2006).

The country's historical ruins bear testimony to the rich diversity of ancient craftsmanship and the skills of the craftsmen themselves. The distinctive designs and exquisite elegance of the ceramic products manufactured by the Sri Lankan ceramic industry today vividly illustrate the influence of this rich heritage. In the year 2006, the total Sri Lankan exports of ceramic products accounts for Rs. 4,923 millions of which the major categories of exports are tableware (60%), tiles/cubes (19%), statuettes/ornaments (9%) and other miscellaneous products (12%) (SLEDB, n.d.)

Current Problems in Ceramic Industry

In today Sri Lankan most of the buildings like ceramic manufacturing industry face several existing problems including health and safety problems, security problems, poor air circulation and temperature control, handicapped accessibility problems, lack of storage, lack of privacy, inadequate of designing space for equipments etc (BOI, 2002). All these existing issues directly impact to the buildings user's motivation and their moral. If the building facilities are not keep in proper condition, occupants become dissatisfied with built facilities and it has become a great reason for reduce the work place productivity.