SILPA 2012 EXHIBITION: something for everyone

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Silpa 2012 National Exhibition and Trade Fair began at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition Centre at the BMICH yesterday. The exhibition will be held until December 30.

The exhibition which focuses on handicrafts and small and medium industries, is organised on an annual basis to promote the handicraft sector and products of small and medium industries and enterprises at national level under the Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry.

It is open from 10am to 10pm.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry Secretary V Sivagnanasothy said the government, under the Mahinda Chintana Vision for the Future, has given priority to the handicraft and small and medium enterprise sectors.

He said the government believes in rural economic development for poverty reduction.

Sivagnanasothy said quality products are on exhibit.

The secretary said over 1,500 varieties of products such as choir, rush and reed, pottery, leather and foot wear, masks, cane, bamboo, palmyrah, kithul, coconut and rubber based products, textiles, souvenirs, jewellery, batik, musical instruments, ornaments and household items are on display.

The exhibition is organised under the direction of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devanada and Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Deputy Minister Weerakumara Dissanayake with the support of the National Crafts Council, Industrial Development Board, National Design Centre and Palmyrah Development Board.