Handover of facilities of traditional handicraft village in Galle today

Friday, 4 July 2014 00:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Secretary of the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development V. Sivagnanasothy said that the official event of handing over the facilities to the craftsmen at the Galahena, Bope Poddala traditional handicraft village in Galle would take place with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Chief Guest at 11:30 a.m. on 4 July 2014.

The opening ceremony will be held by the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development. The event will take place with the participation of Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda and the Deputy Minister Weerakumara Dissanayake. Chief Minister of the Southern Provincial Council Shan Wijeyalal, Galle District Parliamentarian Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Senior Officials of the Ministry, Divisional Secretaries, Chairman of Local Bodies, Buddhi Keerthisena, Chairman of the National Crafts Council, Officials of the National Crafts Council, Chairman, National Design Centre, Industrial sector related officials and the distinguished guests will grace this occasion. Sivagnanasothy stated that Rs. 6.2 million has been incurred by the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development in order to facilitate 162 craftsmen of the Bope Poddala village with workshops, technology, training, new designs and common service centres to carry out their wood carving industries. Equipment packages are to be handed over to the beneficiaries to carry out their activities efficiently. Bope Poddala handicraft village Bope Poddala is famous for wood carving traditional crafts village in Sri Lanka. Lord Buddha statues, gift and souveniour items such as elephants and snakes painted in batik colours, and wood carving products in various designs are produced in this village. These wood carvings are used to depict the traditions, culture and norms of our country. Bope Poddala wood carving village situated in the Galle District has a history of over 300 years and a tradition that comes down from six generations. The products of these villages are also available at souvenir shops of the National Crafts Council, Laksala and other private shops dealing in handicrafts in Colombo and other main cities as well as in tourist areas in the island. It is possible to purchase directly from the craft persons by visiting the villages. Their products are not only popular all over the country but also attractive to foreign visitors. Development of 27 famous handicraft villages The establishment of the handicraft village is an initiative under the ‘Mahinda Chintana’ Vision for the Future and is an important program under the Budget Proposals presented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2013. There are 27 handicraft villages being established island-wide under the 2013 Budget Proposal of the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development with the support of the National Crafts Council, National Design Centre and Industrial Development Board. Sivagnanasothy further said that handicrafts are being strengthened and supported by the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development in line with the ‘Mahinda Chintana’ Vision for the Future. It is important to view this craft development not only as an industry but also as an art, culture and heritage of the country.