More interest in indigenous goods - Prime Minister

COLOMBO: Local industries which crashed with the influx of foreign goods to the market are now slowly picking up. People accustomed to foreign goods are today showing a keen interest in indigenous goods.

Programmes to uplift the handicrafts sector and local industries launched by the Government has brought about an attitudinal change among the people creating a sense of patriotism and interest for indigenous goods and items, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake said.

The Prime Minister was addressing the "Viskam Dethata Saviya Shilpa 2006" Presidential (Handicrafts) awards ceremony at the BMICH. A group of 287 handicraftsmen and women who had excelled in the handicrafts field received awards.

The Prime Minister lauded Rural Industries and Self-Employment Minister S. B. Nawinna's efforts to develop the handicrafts sector through proper guidance and support.

Wickramanayake said Nawinna had enabled handicraft industrialists to develop their industries and improve their living standards without being a social burden. "As a result of these initiatives, a big demand has been created for indigenous products over imported items," he said.

Wickramanayake complemented Nawinna for pledging to conduct the Presidential awards ceremony next year at a Ministry building being built at the Battaramulla Janakala Kendraya.

Nawinna described the handicrafts sector as an independent sector which did not burden the country. Handicraftsmen and women today render a silent service, he said. Nawinna said his Ministry had received an allocation of Rs. 164 million this year on President Mahinda Rajapaksa's initiative.

This money would be utilised in a profitable manner to provide buildings, equipment, technology and training needed for handicraft activities, the Minister said. The Presidential Gold Award (2006) for the best creation was won by Dias Weerasinghe, a wood carver from Piliyandala.

The Presidential Silver Award winners were H. A. Dissanayake of Nagollagama (fibre leaves and grass based handicrafts), Vasantha Jayasekara of Buttala (cane, bamboo and reed), K. P. Ariyawansa of Kegalle (metal based handicrafts), W. Sunil Jayaratne of Veyangoda (jewellery), S. Lionel Chandrasiri of Wanduramba (festival and performing arts based handicrafts), U. H. Premasiri of Galle (musical instruments), Inoka Saumyamali Basnayake of Ja-ela (textile and textile based handicrafts), H. A. Kokila Madhubhashini of Rakwana (lace), A. G. Dharmadasa of Rattota (lacquer and Sesath), K. M. Pasidu Geeth Nimantha Rodrigo of Kandana (traditional art and sculpture) and K. H. Austin Pieris of Minuwangete (miscellaneous handicrafts). A President Gold award winner received Rs. 50,000 and silver award winner Rs. 30,000.