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Shilpa Udana 2014:
A boost for Lankan handicrafts
By Sureshini Pilapitiya
The Shilpa Udana National Handicraft Exhibition organised by the
National Craft Council under the direction of the Ministry of
Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development was held
recently under the patronage of Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Minister
Douglas Devananda, Weerakumara Dissanayake and M.H.M. Fowzie, Sarath
Ekanayake, and chairman of the National Crafts Council, Buddhi
Keerthisena, Secretary, Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small
Enterprise Development, K. Sivagnanasothy.
It was an interesting experience to explore through all the
handicrafts, handloom items and clayware and also food items. The
exhibition was a tremendous boost for all entrepreneurs from every part
of the country to showcase their talents and provide a stepping stone to
further their career.
 The exhibition represented the creative minds of our Sri Lankan
entrepreneurs. There were several eye-catching stalls showing Sri
Lanka's proud national culture and heritage by displaying traditional
Kandyan clothes and Jewellery.
Stalls
There were stalls with displaying hand-made musical instruments.
There were drums Thammattam and guitars. There were also leather
products, bags, cane ware, bamboo, sculptures made from local raw
materials. There were also talented artists drawing life-like portraits.
The National Crafts Council has been doing a yeoman service to the
welfare of all the small entrepreneurs who want to succeed in life
through self employment. It held several other programs at the same time
with the collaboration with this event, such as, Visithuru exhibition of
new creations, Development exhibition of Visithma creations, Crafts
alive Fashion show, "Creation of the Era" exhibition of creations,
Handicrafts sales and expanding local and cultural items.
Buddhi Keerthisena said the exhibition was held for the past 20
years. The main aim was to get the entrepreneurs recognised and to
improve their livelihood.
Entrepreneurs
They will have the chance of promoting their products and it will be
a good opportunity for consumers to buy products at reasonable prices.
He said they had to train entrepreneurs, by giving them new designs
and expanding the foreign and local market. There is a big tourist
market at present. They buy our crafts as gift items.
Therefore, we can increase the foreign income and strengthen the
economy. According to him our artisans have won international awards.
This year they have sent 10 artisans to the UNESCO awards ceremony.
In the international arena, small entrepreneurs are given recognition
for their work and he wants the same thing to happen in Sri Lanka. W.A.
Rohan Wijesinghe from Attanagalla had joined the handicraft field 15
years ago. He makes traditional musical instruments. He has obtained
permission from the National Crafts Council to make miniature ornaments
as well. He said the exhibition was a good opportunity for all those who
want to proceed with their craft work.
Opportunity
Geethangi Perera from Ja-ela is an instructor at the National Crafts
Council. She has worked there for 10 years. She said the exhibition is a
good opportunity to showcase their talents.
Padmasiri from Kandy who makes items using brass and silver had been
in the trade for many years. He had been awarded the first place in a
competition for handicrafts.
Hinidumage Thuresh Manjula said he turns out sculptures and masks.
Senaka De Silva, Consultant at Janakala Kendraya and fashion designer
said their main purpose was to categorise artistes according to their
skills and talents. |
