Chairman inspects “Hana” cultivation lands with Secretary to the State Ministry …
Mr. Vijitha Bandaranaike, Secretary to the State Ministry of Rattan, Brass, Clay, Furniture and Rural Industry Promotion with Mr. Priyantha Madukumara, Private Secretary to the Minister of Rattan, Brass, Clay, Furniture and Rural Industry Promotion, Mr. Sampath Erahapola, Chairman, National Crafts Council inspected the proposed land for cultivation of “Hana” as raw material in Anuradhapura District on 31.07.2021. Mr. Sarath Gunathilaka, Deputy Director (Development) (Acting) of the National Crafts Council, Mr. Sunanda Bandara, Assistant Director and Mr. Ekanayake, Forest Conservation Officer were also present on the occasion.
This cultivation land has been given by the Anuradhapura District Forest Office to the National Crafts Council for the cultivation of raw materials required by local handicraftsmen.
“Dunuke” Plant Cultivation for Raw Material Cultivation Project ….
National Crafts Council Raw Material Bank launched a Dunuke plant cultivation project on 29.06.2021 at the Watake Training Center premises belonging to the National Crafts Council in the village of Hirigalgodella in the Beruwala Divisional Secretariat Division to obtain Dunuke as a raw material for handicraftsmen.
This cultivation project was inaugurated by Mr. Vijitha Bandaranayake, Secretary to the State Ministry of Rattan, Brass, Clay, Furniture and Rural Industry and Mr. Sampath Arahepola, Chairman of the National Crafts Council, Mr. Ranjith C. Perera, Beruwala Divisional Secretary, Mr. Buddhika Lakmal, Director (Development), State Ministry, Mr. Priyantha Madukumara, Private Secretary to the State Minister, Mrs. Neranjala Gunasinghe, Assistant Director (Western Province), National Crafts Council and many other officials were present.
“Ape Panthota” National Reed Cultivation Project ….
“Ape Panthota” National Reed Cultivation Project was launched on 29.06.2021 in Pantota village in Walallawita Divisional Secretariat Division to obtain reed as a raw material for local handicraftsmen. This special event was organized by the National Crafts Council under the auspices of the State Minister of Rattan, Brass, Clay, Furniture and Rural Industry Promotion.
To start this reed cultivation project, Rs. 2.4 million was given to the members of the “Pantota Crafts Club” who are engaged in reed cultivation. The cultivation project was inaugurated under the patronage of Hon. State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera, Hon. State Minister Jayantha Samaraweera, Hon. Member of Parliament Sanjeewa Edirimanne, Hon. Chairman of Walallawita Pradeshiya Sabha Udeni Athukorala and other representatives were present at the occasion. Mr. Vijitha Bandaranaike, Secretary of State Ministry, Mrs. Sithari Udayangani, Divisional Secretary, Walallawita and Mr. Sampath Arahepola, Chairman of the National Crafts Council were also present on the occasion.
“Shilpa Thursday” Celebrates International Women’s Day ….
“Shilpa Thursday” the Handicrafts fair which is held every Thursday at the Diyatha Uyana premises in Battaramulla under the auspices of the State Ministry of Rattan, Brass, Clay, Furniture and Rural Industry Promotion with a view to promoting the marketing activities of local artisans turned out to be a colourful market place especially for handicrafts creations of female artisans on 2021.03.04 to mark the International Women’s Day which falls on March 08.
Hon. Prasanna Ranaweera, State Minister declared open the fair and Mrs. Chandima Ranaweera, Chairperson of “Divi Saviya” Entrepreneurship Organization graced the occasion. The presence of representatives of the Bank of Ceylon, several Universities, the business community as well as a number of public and private sector institutions at the inauguration was significant.
While Bank of Ceylon provided the financial support, the Siyatha Media Network sponsored the media coverage. Handicraft training workshops, panel discussions with the participation of experts in the field, registration of handicraftsmen, cultural shows as well as the appreciation of internationally acclaimed female artisans were among the events conducted all throughout the day.
Business Community Reaches Out to “Shilpa Thursday” ….
The National Crafts Council organizes “Shilpa Thursday” every Thursday at the Battaramulla Diyatha Uyana with a view to promoting marketing activities of local artisans and the weekly event was seen with a new facelift last Thursday the 11th of February 2021.
“Shilpa Thursday” got underway with the distinguished participation of representatives of government agencies as well as private sector business organizations working for the betterment of the local business community. Mrs. Chithrangani Dissanayake, Director General of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Danushika Hapuarachchi, Director, Attrex Institute Of Higher Education, Mr. Sampath Aruhepola, Coordinating Secretary to the Hon. State Minister and the Coordinator (International Trade Affairs) of the State Ministry, Mr. Sudath Abeysekera, Chairman, and Mrs. Chandramali Liyanage, Director of the Crafts Council also joined the occasion.
Alawala gets Roofing Sheets ….
Alawala village in Attanagalla Divisional Secretariat Division is a village inhabited by a group of artisans who create reed based handicrafts. Roofing sheets and small machineries were provided to these artisans on 2021.01.23 for the construction of their workshops and facilitate their production.
The event held under the patronage of Hon. Prasanna Ranaweera, State Minister of Rattan, Brass, Clay, Furniture and Rural Industry Promotion was attended by Hon. Upul Mahendran Rajapaksa, Member of Parliament of Gampaha District and Politicians of the area including Hon. Pradeep Maduranga, Member of Pradeshiya Sabha, Mr. Sudath Abeysekara, Chairman of the National Crafts Council, Mrs. Chandramali Liyanage, Director, National Crafts Council, Prof. Gamini Adhikari, Director General of the Central Cultural Fund and Government Officials and a host of artisans.
