Laksala supports mentally handicapped people

A Japanese customer bought floor mats
given by Self-Help Sri Lanka 

Laksala, the state run-handicrafts emporium in Sri Lanka, has joined hand with Self-Help Sri Lanka to support mentally handicapped people in Sri Lanka under its CSR (Cooperate Social Responsibility) Project. Accordingly, handmade products made by mentally handicapped people are sold at Laksala, Thummulla and Museum showrooms, Colombo 07. The management at Laksala has given priority to display above products in an eye-catching area within showrooms.

Ms. Ridmi Weliwapathirana
Founder and Managing Partner

Self- Help Sri Lanka is an organization to help mentally handicapped & poverty-stricken people to achieve financial independence. In a special interview with Laksala, Ms. Ridmi Weliwapathirana, founder and managing partner of Self Help Sri Lanka said” our mission is to help mentally handicapped & poverty-stricken people to achieve financial independence by acting as a portal to reach global market, promote & build a market for their handmade products and  increase living standards & social recognition of mentally handicapped people”

“We help mentally handicapped people to achieve independence by acting as an intermediary to promote and sell their handmade products. There are hundreds of people around the country battling with mental health issues and trying to gain social recognition. We act as a portal for them to reach local and international markets. We express our gratitude to Laksala for selling handmade products done by these people”  Ms. Weliwapathirana further added.

Laksala Museum was crowded with over 2000 tourists

The ‘National Museum Gallery Café "the state-of-the-art showroom" which is located in the Colombo Museum, welcomed more than 2000 tourists of MSC Magnifica cruise ship came by 52 buses yesterday (09th). MSC Passengers arrived in Museum showroom from 9.30 am to 3.30pm on a special bus service operated from the Port of Colombo.

They were impressed by the quality of the products on sale such as Gem & Jewellery, Textile (Handloom and Batik), Tea, Wood Carving, SPA, Spices and Leather at Laksala and the craftsmanship displayed by skilful local artisans in carving intricate and delicate designs into artefacts. These visitors had a perfect opportunity to experience arts and crafts under one roof while their short tour in Colombo.

MSC Magnifica , which has been operated by MSC Cruise, is the eleventh ship in the cruise line’s fleet and the fourth Panamax cruise vessel in its Musica class. It is worth around US 550m and built by STX Europe. The ship is a sister ship to the MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra and MSC Poesia. The Magnifica was delivered on 25 February 2010 and started its maiden voyage in March in the same year. The Magnifica has 1,259 passenger cabins. The ship can accommodate 2,518 passengers and 1,027 crew members. The 93.330t cruise ship is 294m long, 32m wide, 59.6m high and complies with the Panama canal standard. It can sail at a maximum speed of 23kt.