Celebrating humanity
Jayanthi LIYANAGE
|
Batik Kandyan sarees from Kadawatha, Anoma Mendis. |
Rush and Reed products - Nandani Gurusinghe. Pictures by Ruwan
de Silva |
Velum flowers from Anuradhapura, Manori Premaratne. |
Making ‘konda kevum’. |
Handlooms from Matale |
Savisthri (Development Alternatives for Women) Movement held a Trade
Fair and Exhibition in Vihara Maha Devi Park on February 25. Its Annual
Congress was also scheduled to be held on this day. The year's theme was
"She - Universal Humanity".
"Humaneness is not to be seen in today's social, economic and
political fields," commented Padma Pushpakanthi, Savisthri National
Secretary. "Violence has increased. Women has the responsibility and
capability to cultivate the biggest requirement of the day - which is
humaneness. A foundation should be laid for long term sustainable
development activities with a woman's perspective, realizing that the
only prime example is maternal attitude."
Savisthi programs are implemented in six districts of the country for
poorest of women in farming, fishing and plantation labour sectors.
These programs attempt economic and social development.
"Savisthri has a membership of about 2,000," said Pushpakanthi. "They
are focusing on developing a 'fair' market. With this Trade Fair, we are
trying to bring the producer and customer together for a fair price for
both. We want to introduce a market for these rural products. It is
because these women lose their traditional livelihoods, that they turn
to garment industry and overseas jobs."
Handloom cloth was available from Batticaloa Widows Society, Welimada
and Yatawatte, Matale. Nandani Gurusinghe from Godagama, contriving a
livelihood on rush and reed products, had on offer purses and handbags.
Manori Premaratne from Anuradhapura had brought in packeted medicinal
herbs of Polpala, Niramulliya, Wild Corriander, Kothala Himbutu and
Ranawara and Neem seeds to be used as pesticide. Sobaka was a collective
from Hambantotoa selling agri products produced only with organic
fertilizer and pesticide. Presidential award winner Anoma Mendis
displayed Kandyan sarees designed from traditional motifs derived from
the days of Indian kings and queens.
HIV infected people from the organization Lanka+ had brought in
candles and wooden toys and ornaments. National food promotion Board
held demonstrations on using a flour mixture of 75 percent rice flour
and 25 percent of American flour to make Those and Cake. Its intention
was to increase nutritive quality of flour used for daily consumption
and to encourage the use of rice flour. |
