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| Sunday, 24 July 2005 |
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Focus on Lanka at World Expo 2005 in Japan Sri Lanka will take centre stage on July 27 at the World Expo 2005 in Japan when she celebrates her national day. More than 120 countries will participate in this year's Expo exhibition on "Nature's Wisdom" in Aichi prefecture. The Sri Lankan pavilion showcases the tradition and culture, nature, the 2,500-year-old civilisation, the Sri Lankan way of living and the creativity of local artistes. The promoters of Sri Lanka are showcasing the country as a cradle of unique natural settings, religious and cultural achievements with a historical glory creating unique art and architecture through Theravada Buddhism. The exhibition showcases traditional handicrafts including carvings, weaving, brass manufacturing and gem cutting. Six metre long colourful traditional flags adorn the entrance of the Sri Lankan pavilion while three relipalam entrance arches decorated with red and white muslin greet visitors to the pavilion. On entering the exhibition hall the visitors will get an opportunity to see 1,000 square metres of batik set on a handcrafted batik ceiling. Each batik panel is lit from above and depicts traditional motifs belonging to Sri Lankan art. Inside is a large graphic sculpture in copper symbolising the Sri Maha Bodhi. There is also a model of a traditional village Buddhist shrine built on pillars with mud and timber. It has three Buddha statues while the walls of the shrine are painted with Lord Buddha's Life and Jataka stories. There are also exhibits to show the value of natural medicinal herbs for a healthy life apart from samples of traditional medicinal oils which are more than 1000 years old. Five traditional craftsmen will present live demonstrations in gem cutting, carving wooden elephants, weaving dumbara mats and brass sheet molding in the pavilion. The restaurant in the pavilion serves traditional Sri Lankan food while the store sells traditional Sri Lankan handicrafts and tea. Industry, Tourism and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Bandaranaike is scheduled to visit the exhibition end of August while on an Investment promotion mission. The exhibition which started in March will end in September. Up to now over eleven million have visited the Expo 2005. (SG) |
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