Laksala ups first half sales by 48% to Rs. 435 m

Monday, 28 July 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Laksala sales to local buyers and tourists have increased to an impressive figure of Rs. 435 million in the first half of 2014. With the dawning of peace, supported by the commendable performance of Sri Lanka’s economy and the programs implemented by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) under the guidance of the Ministry of Economic Development in the tourism sector, has resulted in an increased number of tourist arrivals which has given a boost to Laksala’s sales. The main beneficiaries of increased sales are 8,000 registered entrepreneurs who will now be in a position to improve their living standards and thereby uplift the rural sector stated Laksala Chief Operations Officer Lakshmi Perera.

She added that keeping in line with the Mahinda Chinthana Outlook 2010 with reference to the crafts sector: “The priorities for the traditional industry sector are education on new market trends, linking local and international markets, introducing new design concepts and preserving traditional skills and arts for future generations.” Laksala has expanded its product range, invested in modern vibrant showrooms and revitalised its customer service to make the growing demand for gift items and souvenirs in the tourist market and to achieve the target set for 2014 of reaching sales of Rs. 1 billion.

Due to the vision of the President, Laksala which was an underperforming organisation in 2008-2009 streamlined its operations and repositioned the organisation once it was placed under the supervision of the Strategic Enterprises Management Agency (SEMA) in 2009. Prior to this move, Laksala was not in a position to meet the financial commitments to craft entrepreneurs, pay employees, nor meet statuary payments. Today, due to the guidance given by Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa and Minister of Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation Jayarathne Herath, Laksala has become the leader in the gift and souvenir market in Sri Lanka. Perera stated that Laksala is aligned with Government programs such as ‘Divi Neguma’ and much progress has been made by closely working with the beneficiaries of these programs. Perera further stated that with tourist arrivals expected to increase to 1.5 million by the end of 2014 there will be greater demand for gift items thereby resulting in craft entrepreneurs having to expand their product ranges, production capacities and uplifting the rural economy and increasing specially the opportunities for women who are mainly engaged in cottage industries.