Molagoda potters face hard times

BY NADIRA Gunatilleke

THE people who make these pottery products live a hard life, says Roshan, a young father who runs a small pottery shop close to Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya.

"We bring pottery products to our small shop from Molagoda in Kegalle. The people who make pottery is living a very hard life there.

There is no one to assist them. I have to spend Rs. 3,500 for the lorry every time I transport pottery from Molagoda to Bellanwila.

But a significant number of pots break during transportation. It is not only us who have a pottery shop in this area. There are about ten more shops here and we have to compete with them in order to earn a living" he said.

"Vases are the most popular items among people and sell very quickly. There is a big demand for goblets but we have a good sale only during seasons of Buddhist religious festivals such as Vesak, Poson and Poya days because most people visit the Bellanwila temple during those days. A lot of local tourists also come during that time" says Gayani, Roshan's young wife.

"We have a two year old son. We got married and started this business recently. I (Roshan) worked here earlier. We hope to develop this business," Roshan said.