Laksala, now a lucrative body

By T.K. Premadasa

A friend of mine, a foreign national, recently visited Sri Lanka. I took him to the Laksala showroom at the Baudhaloka Mawatha-Reid Avenue intersection, Colombo, to purchase handicrafts. I was amazed at the display in the showroom which was replete with fascinating items of international standard.

Laksala was set up to protect and promote Sri Lankan handicrafts, provide security, develop and find profitable markets for manufacturers of handicrafts.

Negligence

The handicraft industry, has traditionally continued from generation to generation throughout the ages. During the time of Kings, people were bound to perform their duty on the basis of caste. The villagers were required to do 'Rajakariya'.

Infrastructure was supplied to them by the King for the manufacture of handicrafts for day-to-day use. It was the industrial revolution and the fall of feudal system that caused the manufacture of handicrafts to pale into insignificance within the commercial world.

Moreover, the failure of the authorities during the post-Independence era to implement a professional project for its promotion and development affected the industry. People engaged in handicraft work are mostly from impoverished families living an arduous life without capital to develop their inane talent and skill.

In the early 1960s the government set up an institutional framework to uplift the lifestyle of those involved in the manufacture of handicrafts.

State Corporation

The Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board better known as Laksala was founded on November 6, 1964 as the Sales Division of the Department of Small Industries. On January 17, 1983, Laksala was attached to the National Craft Council enacted by Allied Industries Act No.35 of 1982 due to the closure of the Department of Small Industries.

Laksala was a mere showcase of trade stalls during the past with no initiative to capture the attention of customers. Promotional campaigns should have been conducted to increase the sale of handicrafts.

It was a pity that there was no professional outlook in the organisation, hence the poor standard of display in the early 1980s.

This caused a decrease in the number of visitors to Laksala showrooms affecting sales and causing losses. Policy makers had to take a decision whether to close it down or rejuvenate the entire structure to make it profitable.

Laksala (Sri Lanka Handicraft Board) has now become a State Corporation empowered with greater responsibility to secure and develop the handicraft sector.

Craftsmanship is an elegant profession attributed to the laborious dedication of a skilled artisan. Raw material from natural resources such as clay, wood, gem, fabric and leather are used in the manufacture of a variety of handicraft products in Sri Lanka.

A lucrative market for handicraft products is a necessity to improve the industry. Handicrafts of natural texture made by skilled craftsmanship have captured the attention of tourists.Handicrafts could also be considered as a souvenir to remember their visit to this island.

Value addition

Today the handicraft industry has reached the apex of its development, with priority given to export of handicrafts creating value addition to our export products such as gift tea, gift spices, wooden and handloom toys and ethnic jewellery. It has been suggested to initiate a diversified plan targeting the export market and up-market segment of the local market as well.

With the manufacture of innovative handicraft products by skilled artisans, Laksala has become the cynosure of visitors from various parts of the globe and local customers who come to the showrooms to purchase these valuable items.

Quality

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Budget highlighted the importance of handicraft sector and introduced incentives particularly for the SME sector to build the competence of artisans.

The quality and durability of products made with admirable designs would persuade the public to purchase items of value irrespective of price. An attractive display of items is necessary to reach the apex.

Customer satisfaction and friendly approach with the pleasing smile of the staff would make Laksala a lucrative institution.

Meaningful changes at Laksala is necessary to avert customers turning towards other trading stalls for handicrafts. Parking facilities and other concessions will embolden them to return to Laksala for their requirements of ornamental needs.

Laksala earned a profit of Rs 73 million in 2012 and an income of Rs 700 million is projected, according to the media.

Today 5,000 artisans and craftsmen supply their products to Laksala and 10,000 low income families have benefitted. It is essential to further rebuild the image of Laksala to improve profitability.

Dumbara mats

Chairman Anil Koswatte used his private sector experience to raise the standard of Laksala. It was an arduous task to modernise showrooms and build new showrooms in Colombo and other cities.

The Dumbara in the Central Province is popular for the manufacture of mats with spectacular designs inherited from ancestors.

Products with innovative designs manufactured with amazing workmanship in many other parts of the island are as popular as Dumbara mats. In the wake of challenges ahead, it is the responsibility of Laksala to obtain patents for invaluable handicraft designs.

Laksala has a responsibility to help improve the lifestyle of handicraft manufacturers and increase their productivity.

The Laksala management should raise the awareness of manufacturers on the need for quality products securely packaged to attract customers. Organising workshops with experienced craftsmen to develop the skills of the innate artisans and training the younger generation will be advantageous.

Trade fair

In this context, it would be helpful to observe the links handicrafts have with diversified export sectors. e.g: tea and spices in gift packs.

In the early 1980s Laksala organised a trade fair like Milan International Trade Fair. The time is now ripe for Laksala to participate in international trade fairs to promote local handicrafts.

Commendable changes have been effected by Laksala during the past few years. Laksala Sales Centres built to international standard have been opened at the airport, museum and in the cities of Galle, Kandy and Katubedda to attract tourists and local buyers.

Laksala is helping the government to make Sri Lanka, the Wonder of Asia.

(The writer is a retired Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Sri Lanka Export Development Board. He can be reached at [email protected])