Mahapola trade fair to be re-launched

by Gamini WARUSHAMANA

The Mahapola trade fair and exhibition will be re-launched in April after a lapse of five years. The Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Affairs will launch the event. It was first launched in 1980 by the Ministry of Trade and continued successfully for decades. It was brought to a halt in 2007 due to security concerns. In 2001, a separate institution was set up to continue with the Mahapola exhibition but it failed. The institution was in debt to contractors and suppliers.

After the end of terrorism in September 2009, a Mahapola fair was held at Beliatta, Ruhunu Vijayabha College and was successful. This was the 264th time the trade fair was held and it proved that the fair could be profitably carried out but unfortunately it was discontinued due to various constraints in the organisation of the event.

Minister of Internal Trade and Consumer Affairs Johnston Fernando, decided to re-launch the event and the next Mahapola will be held from April 6-11 at St. Anthony's College, Katugastota, Kandy. This will be the 265th Mahapola trade fair and exhibition organised to cater to shoppers during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year festive season. A large number of business organisations and government agencies will participate with products and services, ministry sources said.