Timber Process Innovation Center (TPIC), Sri Lanka

Resources Page

TOIC is a strategic alliance, through joint ventures between University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Department of Forestry and Environmental Science), University of Moratuwa (Department of Integrated Design & Department of Mechanical Engineering) and COSTI for development of timber and timber based products as mentioned in the budget speech of 2018.

This will enhance the introduction of Sri Lankan timber and timber based products to high-end global export market and upon successful implementation, in future, this will performance as fully fledged self-sustainable center, which is to be established under Center for Sustainability of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to support the timber sector.

Key activities that are to be conducted by TPIC include Process Innovation of timber and timber based products, Waste utilization of timber and timber based products, value chain enhancement of timber and timber based products and involve in Cleaner Production process of timber and timber based products.

Key activities of TPIC

  • Process Innovation of timber and timber based products,
  • Waste utilization of timber and timber based products,
  • Value chain enhancement of timber and timber based products and
  • Involve in Cleaner Production process of timber and timber based products.

Intended outcomes

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

MOU on Timber Process Innovation Center with Ministry of Science and Technology

Vice Chancellor, Prof Sampath Amaratunge signed an MOU with Prof Ajith de Alwis, Chairman COSTI (Coordinating Secretariat for Science Technology & Innovation) of  Ministry of Science Technology and Research to establish Timber Process Innovation Center (TPIC) attached to Department of Forestry and Environment Science of University of Sri Jayewardeneprua on 26 October 2018.  Prof Sudantha Liyanage, Dean Faculty of Applied Sciences, Prof Upul Subasinghe, Head Department of Forestry and Environment Science, Prof Hiran Amarasekera and Dr. Priyan Perera participated this occasion held at the Boardroom of the University.

Wood Based Industries in Sri Lanka

Solid wood industries

  • Saw-milling,
  • Furniture eg. Moratuwa furniture cluster
  • Flooring,
  • Crafts….

Wood Based Composites

  • Plywood,
  • Chipboard,
  • Fiberboard (MDF)

Moratuwa Furniture Manufacturing Cluster

There are around 1700 industries in Moratuwa wood based furniture cluster and it has been in existence for many decades. This industry has deteriorated over the years and is currently incapable of producing furniture of high quality for the export market. However large firms in the cluster use advanced technology and have a totally integrated production process with saw mills, timber seasoning and treatment facilities indicating that it is an organized cluster that can be upgraded to an innovative cluster by implementing a comprehensive development program.

There have been several initiatives on development of wood working industry and timber utilization research on timber processing have yielded data towards up-scaling and redefining the small timber manufactures in Sri Lanka. The key options that can be adopted to improve the industry are to improve utilization of available sustainable timber resources to increase the supply of raw materials to the Moratuwa cluster, improve product quality, increase marketability of products and minimize environmental pollution. Selected industries in this cluster can be upgraded into international standards by introduction of new technology and transfer of knowledge, providing systematic training in improving furniture designing, timber preservation, seasoning and machine maintaining capabilities.

The pilot survey was conducted during the monthly meeting of the Carpenters Association in Moratuwa area.
A pilot survey was conducted during the monthly meeting of the Carpenters Association in Moratuwa area (March, 2019).

Contact Us

Timber Process and Innovation Center
Department of Forestry and Environment Science
University of Sri Jayewardnepura
Nugegdoa, SRI LANKA

011 2840963

Our Team

Prof Hiran Amarasekera, Professor, Forestry and Environmental Science
Dr Piryan Perera, Director, Center for Sustainability
Prof Ajith de Alwis,  Project Director, The Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI)
R. A. D. R. L. Rupasinghe, Research Officer, TPIC

Resources Page