Shilpa National Crafts Exhibition to draw foreigners

Shilpa National Crafts Exhibition 2013 should be conducted to draw foreign tourists, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda said.

He was addressing the members of the organizing committee of the Shilpa National Crafts Exhibition and Trade Fair at the ministry auditorium recently.

He said emphasis should be made to draw foreign tourists especially those who come to view the Esala Perahera.

At the meeting chaired by the minister, proposals were tabled by National Crafts Council chairman Buddhi Keerthisena. Among the proposals were identifying talented artisans from rural areas, training and guiding such artisans to reach international standards, making arrangements for them to participate at the exhibition, inviting key global buyers to the exhibition and trade fair and awarding prizes for winners at a competition.

The estimated cost the exhibition and trade fair is Rs 37.218 million.

The minister said: “Sri Lanka is having a global image for the crafts industry. It is a traditional industry stretching from small to medium scale levels.”

It is the responsibility of the National Crafts Council to conduct the Exhibition and the Trade Fair at a high standard with a commercial touch, he said.

The minister instructed the committee to look into all the needs of craftsmen.

Additional Secretary to the Ministry Mangalika Adhikari, Advisor to the Minister V. Jegarasasingham, Director General UNESCO Preethi Nanayakkara and ministry officials participated in the meeting.