38th Suraj Kund International Crafts Mela – 2025

The Surajkund International Crafts Mela (Fair) is held annually at Surajkund in Faridabad, Haryana, India which is occupying a place of pride on the international tourist calendar, more than a million visitors throng the Mela, including thousands of foreign tourists. The Surajkund Mela is unique as it showcases the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and cultural fabric of India.
The Mela is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of External Affairs.
Haryana Tourism Cooperation has collaborated with the BIMSTEC section of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India in organizing 38th edition of Suraj Kund Mela and National Crafts Council has received an opportunity to participate four artisans as per the quota allocated for each member of BIMSTEC organization.
Following artisans will be selected for participating in the Mela.
- Mr. E.A. Wasantha Pushpakumara – Coconut shell
- Ms. Ramya Kumari Paranagamage – Batik
- Mr. M.D. Ananda Lal – Wood carving
- Mr. K.B.Susil – Gold, Silver Jewellery
As per the request made by the National Crafts Council, Government of India will provide free boarding, lodging, transportation along with air tickets for the participating artisans this time.
Investigating the problems of artisans in Panduvanura..
Mr. Ranaweera of the State Ministry of Small Industries and Business Development, Mr. Samanpriya Herath, Member of District Parliament of the city, Mr. Sampath Arambhaya of the National Crafts Council, Kasun Ranatunga, President of the Design Center, to investigate the problems of the handicraft factory in Paduvanuwara, a district famous for pottery in Sri Lanka. A group of officers including Mr. recently (2024.03.31) made an observation tour in that area.
The main topic of Panduvasnuwara Amba Gaha Veva village where there are a large number of families living in the pottery industry is the main raw material used in their industry. After fully discussing the relevant matter, necessary arrangements are being made for the Ministers to take the necessary arrangements to take the clay village in the adjacent grant to the lake grounds.
In addition, new technology clay kilns have been discussed in this village through the National Craft Council to obtain more pottery of the right quality, which was another request of the artisans.
In addition to these programs, which have been running continuously so far, the ministry officials have been instructed to implement a design training program through the National Design Center, such as decorative items that can add more value using less raw materials, and jewelry created from clay. The minister states that he will be able to attract the modern youth generation who are leaving these traditional industries back to this industry.
After these discussions, the minister and his group came together to start the work of the industrialists in the village.
A large number of people including the official of the National Craft Council, local government officials and local handicraftsmen joined the event.
Opening of Alkegama Handicrafts Training Centre.
Mawanella, Alkegama Handicrafts Training Center on 27.03.2024 (yesterday) under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister of State for Technology Mr. Kanaka Herath, with the participation of National Craft Council Chairman Sampath Arahapola, Director Anuri Thilakaratne, Mawanella Divisional Secretary Vijitha Ratnesekara and Provincial Industries Director Narmada Egogedara. It was opened in a grand manner.
The Alkegama Kana Industry Training Center and Village was developed by the National Crafts Council under the “Traditional Handicraft Village Development Program – 2021” implemented under the guidance of the Minister of State for Small and Medium Enterprise Development Mr. Prasanna Ranaweera. Under that, equipment was provided for the artisans of the village, and the old building, which was used as a common facility, production and training center, was completely renovated.
As the second phase, in 2023, all the works on the ground floor of the center building were completed and all the infrastructure was completed. The development work here has been carried out by the Mawanella Divisional Secretariat. Mrs. Sanjeevani Dissanayake is the site officer and counselor of the center and the Sabaragamuwa provincial office of the National Craft Council is supervising the work.
Accordingly, production activities and handicraft training activities were opened with the blessings of all. Officials of the National Crafts Council, government officials and many artisans participated in this event.