Textile exhibition in Galle

The first exhibition of Sri Lankan, Indian and European handicraft designs organised by Sri Lanka's textile design sector was held in Galle last week.

The exhibition and sales outlet was opened at the Galle Town Hall on Friday while a workshop on handicraft creations was also conducted at the same venue.

Arrangements have been made to hold the next sales outlets and exhibitions in the Matara, Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Kandy and Kegalle districts.

High quality, traditionally designed garments including saris, shirts and kurthas which are of international standard were displayed and sold at the exhibition.

Liya Abhiman, a women's organisation led by Pushpa Rajapaksa, the wife of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, has introduced the creation of Sri Lankan and Indian handicraft designs through the handicraft textile industry under the Minister's direction.

The textile handicraft designing project commenced operations in the Liya Abhiman Designs Centre at Moragoda, Gampaha last March under the Indian textile designs expert Ishara Harischandra's instructions.

Initially, 48 women out of nearly 1,000 applicants were trained in the craft at a cost of Rs.100,000 per trainee.

Out of them, 38 women who completed the training are now self-employed with each of them earning almost Rs. 35,000 per month.

Their creations are sent to Laksala, other State institutions and to private sector organisations.

The products with traditional handicraft designs have become popular in China, India and several other countries and the program also helps reduce unemployment among local women, according to the Economic Development Ministry.The success of the program has resulted in increased demand for threads required for the production of saris and other garments, boosting business for thread manufacturers.

The second training program which began last week will train 50 women in the art.