Help plea from talented wood carver

A A L Dias, Matale district group corr

Sarath Chandrasiri, 39, a father of two, living in Kanadana, about two kilometres away from Galewela town is a talented wood carver. He has won three Presidential Awards for his creations.

Chandrasiri said he has no proper facilities to continue with his profession. He said he sells his creations to businessmen at low rates, as he has no facilities to transport them to areas where tourists gather.

“I sell my items to businessmen at lower prices. These businessmen sell the items purchased from me at a higher rate to tourists,” Chandrasiri said.

He said: “ I have an inborn talent. I developed my abilities in wood carving. However, I do not have proper facilities. I have to sell my creations at a low price to businessmen. They buy my items and sell them at a high rate to tourists.”

According to him some items purchased from him for Rs 5,000 are sold to tourists for Rs 50,000 by these businessmen.

“I request the authorities to help me so that I could continue with my profession without seeking help from others,” Chandrasiri said.