Handicraft villages to spur economic growth
Lakshmi DE SILVA
The government's aim is to increase the economic growth of five to
six percent in the rural sector to eight to ten percent by establishing
handicraft villages producing high quality products in different parts
of the country, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development
Ministry Secretary, P. Sivagnanasothy said.
Addressing a gathering of more than 500 craftsmen and women from all
parts of the country at the Mihilaka Medura at the BMICH, he said by
upgrading capacity building through workshops like this would enable the
crafts persons to improve the quality of their products and life too.
He said the National Design Centre along with the National Craft
Centre conducts training programs in 132 training centres which improves
the skills of craftsmen and enhance the quality of the employable
workforce of the country.
The Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development Ministry
has already started a strategic plan to bring in market oriented
environmental friendly products to the world, he noted. Deputy Minister
Dissanayaka said the country is enjoying freedom after a 30 year
terrorist war and it had become a platform to use everyone's skills for
the betterment of the people and the national economy.
He noted that attitudes had to be changed and local products should
be valued and encouraged. It is time to get rid of plastics and get
closer to environmental friendly creative handicrafts. The workshop
Yovun Dethata Diriyak was organized only for 400 people but there were
more than 500 craftsmen and women at the premises to learn the new
skills from the National Design Centre including those from Jaffna and
Anuradhapura.
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