Crafts manufacturing village in Battaramulla: Boost for Lankan craft industry

The National Crafts Council in collaboration with the Economic Development Ministry and Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry, ceremoniously opened a Crafts Manufacturing Village at the Battaramulla Janakala Kendraya complex, recently.It is called the Shilpa Craft Marketing Village.

Minister of Economic Development, Basil Rajapakse was the Chief Guest and Traditional Industries and Samll Enterprises Development Minister, Douglas Devananda, Deputy Minister Weerakumara Dissanayake and Indian High Commissioner Ashok K.Kanth also participated at this event.

The crafts manufacturing village’s aim is to provide an opportunity for craftsmen and consumers to meet and buy products. The Jana Kala Kendraya opened in early February 2007, is a model village of “Dillihart”, a village in Delhi where all Indian craftsmen have the opportunity to participate.  On the same basis Jana Kala Kendraya has craftsmen from all the provinces.

“The UNESCO has recognized it as a Cultural Centre. Our objective is to make this an internationally recognized centre. The fact that UNESCO has recognized stands testimony to the fact that this is a valuable institution and the world must know about this. There are plans to establish two more of these Craft Marketing Villages in the future”, said Minister Basil Rajapakse during the opening ceremony.

The Shilpa Craft Marketing Village has 30 stalls. One stall will be given for a period of two to four weeks to craftsmen and will be opened from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm. daily.