Handicrafts Exhibition to coincide with SAARC

A special Handicraft Exhibition will be held at the Colombo National Art Gallery from July 29 to August 3 to coincide with the 15th SAARC summit in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

It has been organised by the National Crafts Council in response to a request made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The exhibition is intended to portray Sri Lanka's identity and pride to Asian heads of State, Media and Diplomats including special invitees and officials attending the SAARC summit and provide a market and international exposure to our intrinsic artistic creations, said National Crafts Council Chairman Buddhi Keerthisena.

The exhibition will showcase products of veteran handicraft artistes countrywide including Presidential award winning artistes, he said. Among the items on display would be bronze carvings and wildings, silver and gold jewellery, laquer items, sesath, musical instruments, batiks, patchwork, lace, embordiery work, masks, wood carvings, sculpture, dumbara rata, leather products, rock based products, rush and reed ware and fibre based products, he added.

This exhibition would be a boon to local and foreign tourists and all others interested in local handicrafts to make a good bargain, said Keerthisena.