Variety shows at Crafts Village

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The National Crafts Council (NCC) will commence traditional variety shows OF shorter duration to entertain local and foreign tourists who visit the Crafts Village to purchase local handicrafts.

The Crafts Village, which is located on a five-acre picturesque land at Battaramulla and in close proximity to the Sri Jayawardenapura Parliamentary complex has 45 handicraft stalls, run by local craftsmen representing all the districts in the country.

In addition to the locals, a large number of foreigners too visit the Village to purchase traditional handicrafts such as batik creations, handloom textiles, wall decorations, cushion covers, table cloth, bobbin lace creations, rattan creations, silver jewellery, oil paintings, bronze creations, interior house decorations, garden decorations , palm tree related handicraft creations etc.

NCC, Chairman Buddhi Keerthisena told the Sunday Observer that the village provides high quality local handicraft to visitors at very affordable prices when comparing to the prices in the open market.

"Sometimes, we sell very valuable local crafts such as silver plated elephants, wood carvings, bronze creations such as oil lamps and handloom textiles at 30 to 40 percent discount rates since our objective is to help local craftsmen in their endeavour of producing more items for their well-being," he said.