Sri Lankan crafts council to unveil handicraft map

08 Feb '13

2 min read

The Sri Lankan National Crafts Council is already working on plans to prepare a handicraft map, which is proposed to be launched on March 19 this year, Mr. V Sivagnanasothy, Secretary, Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, has said.

Development of the handicraft sector is a focus area for Mahinda Chinthana future vision, the Government’s long-term development programme for the country, the Secretary said.

He said it is important to pull together all details regarding distribution of the handicraft industry in the country, as this would pave the path for the sector’s development.

The main aim behind preparing the handicraft map is to identify the modern and traditional industries and distribution areas across the country, and to point out hereditary villages specializing in certain workshops and handicrafts.

The handicraft map would help the sector and the country in attracting domestic as well as foreign tourists, he said.

Jagath Jayasooriya, an artist registered with the National Crafts Council and a winner of national award has been assigned the task of preparing the map, Council Chairman Buddhi Keerthisena said.

The map launch event would be sponsored by the Indian High Commission, Mr. Sivagnanasothy said during a press conference at the National Crafts Council in Battaramulla.

Indian High Commission Counsellor (Information) Birender Singh said it is important to foster and develop Sri Lanka’s handicraft industry.

Ms. Jaya Jaitly, Chairperson of New Delhi-based Dastkari Haat Samiti, who would instruct and guide the programme, said the Samiti has for long been associated with the National Crafts Council.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India