Introduction
The Foundry Industry is an important feeder industry for the engineering product sector in that it supplies parts and spares for machinery, equipment and tools etc. In addition to supply of vital components of various engineering products to tea & rubber industries, it also supplies a wide range of directly exportable metal products.

Although mainly catering to the local market it has a high export potential. The industry at present exports few foundry products. Further it indirectly contributes to exports by supplying components to industries such as tea, rubber , Boat building etc.

The development of the foundry industry is of great importance to the engineering sector. The Foundry Development & Services Institute (FDSI) has been established and is owned, run and operated by the private sector foundry industry in Sri Lanka. The FDSI efforts are aimed at improving the productivity; quality and the market share of the foundry sub-sector and upgrading the foundry industry so that castings to international specifications could be produced.

Although the membership of FDSI is more than 50 companies, at present there are about 25 companies in operation.

The present structure of the foundry industry is as follows:

		Capacity
Large scale	6	<01Tonne & above
Medium Scale	8-10	101kg<01Tonne
Small Scale	9-11	10kg < 100kg

The available capacity of annual production is about 100,000 tonnes, at present the maximum utilization is around 20.000 tonnes. Hence the industry uses only 20% of its capacity.

The engineering products sector in Sri Lanka consists of over 1000 manufacturing units which includes small & medium sized manufacturing units and the export oriented ventures which are located both within and outside the country's free trade zones.
Studies undertaken in Sri Lanka show that the local light engineering industry compares well internationally for both its efficiency and competitiveness. The country exports products such as precision tools, moulds and electrical enclosures and manufactures high quality water pumps and agriculture machinery for the local market.

These products could be sub-divided into two main categories.

	Engineering products for industrial and agricultural use
	Fasteners, locks, Tower bolts, Hinges, sprayers and fire Hydrants, Fire Bars, Man hole covers, Sluice gates, Machinery parts, Marine fittings, Sign Boards, Locomotive parts, weighing scales, agricultural machinery, rice milling units, hullers, industrial, Agro water pumps Sawing machine parts, Refrigerator parts etc.
	Engineering products for consumer use
	Sawing Machines & Ceiling fans, Pots &pans, locks and handles, Garden equipment, domestic water pump oil lamps & other Souvenirs, The foundries that are in operation in Sri Lanka have the production capabilities of grey iron casting, ductile iron casting, aluminum, brass and steel castings.

Investment
There are several investment opportunities in the manufacture of products such for fans, room air conditioners, refrigerators, small engines and metal furniture.