Exhibitions to widen market for traditional craftsmen

The Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development Ministry will give an opportunity to over 10,000 craftsmen to conduct exhibitions of traditional items in all districts to sell their products fast and to preserve local craftsmanship. The objective of this program is to help craftsmen exhibit their hand-made products such as cane goods, gems and jewellery, wood carvings, bronze and silver items, batik garments and various other traditional products to people in distant areas.

Minister Douglas Devananda told the Sunday Observer that he was encouraged to conduct such an exhibition after opening the National Handicrafts Exhibition and Fair at the National Art Gallery in Colombo last week.Over 200 local craftsmen exhibited their products at the exhibition, conducted with the participation of Indian craftsmen. Minister Devananda also highlighted the invaluable service rendered by the National Crafts Council at Battaramulla for Sri Lankan craftsmen to sell their traditional products to local and foreign visitors at reasonable prices under one roof.

He said conducting exhibitions of traditional items in other areas will largely benefit our craftsmen to sell their products fast.The Minister assured that a program will also be initiated to exchange craftsmen between Sri Lanka and India to teach craftsmen of both countries the traditional art.