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| Sunday, 20 February 2005 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Penchant for arts and crafts The newly opened craft shop "Himasha" at School Junction, Kandy road, Radawadunna is a shop with a difference and is loved by all who want something different.
It is a treat to look at the soup cups and tea sets turned out of coconut shells. The shop owner Provincial Councillor Gihan Wijesinghe promotes traditional craftsmen and their products. The main difference in supplying goods to this shop and other shops is that the craftsmen get cash as soon as the goods are delivered. This has created a steady craftsmen base not only in the vicinity but also in the remote villages of Divulapitiya. He said that paying cash encourages the craftsmen to give a steady supply of goods. Earlier they did not have a ready market which was a major problem. Catering to a major order is also a problem since they indulge in turning out products during their leisure time as their main income is derived from farming. Wijesinghe was born in Kandy and he had a penchant for arts and crafts from his young days. He wanted to promote the traditional crafts, but he did not get an opportunity. The exhibitions organised by the Ministry of Rural Industries paved the way to fulfil my objectives, he said. Shilpa 2004 at the BMICH gave me a wealth of ideas. By that time I knew the craftsmen too, and together with them I participated in the exhibition at the Viharamahadevi Park last December. "We received many orders and the exhibition was a tremendous success because it gave the exhibitors much exposure," said Wijesinghe. I always encourage the craftsmen to be at the stall because this helps them to get an understanding of the market and the marketing environment. Some people who purchased our products have sent them abroad for exhibitions and we are hopeful of getting a steady export order in the near future, he said. In the event we get a large order we will pool our resources to usher in prosperity for our village and the villagers. Wijesinghe is married to Anula Malkanthi and is a father of three boys. SG |
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