Saturday 8 June 2019

How Diplomats can help the handicraft industry in SL

Mr. Madhura De Silva, CEO/Director General, Laksala addressing Ambassadors and High Commissioners

Handicrafts could be promoted by Sri Lankan diplomats, who are going to assume duties in our overseas missions. Promoting of locally made handicrafts will uplift the handicraftsmens’ standard of living, said Mr. Madhura De Silva, CEO/Director General, Laksala at the orientation programme for Ambassadors / High Commissioners designate held at Lakshman Kadiragamar Institute yesterday (07th). Mr. Silva was one of seven panelists for the discussion on “Enhancing Sri Lanks’s Image” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and he delivered a presentation  on “How mission can promote Sri Lanka’s handicrafts industry”.

Continuing presentation Laksala CEO/Director General further added ” as a self funded government entity we are working very hard for the betterment of the handicrafts industry . These skilled and talented craftsmen living in  every part of Sri Lanka produce their stuff for Laksala. They are doing their jobs with many challenges. Some of handicrafts like Lacquer work (Laksha) are unique to Sri Lanka and cannot be found anywhere in the world. As the largest handicrafts chain which has 12 showrooms around Sri Lanka , Laksaka fulfills the needs of the nation. Laklsala is the marketing platform of handicraftsmen".

“As  a responsible government institute we are going to launch a digital marketing platform to sell handicrafts online. No matter where you live, you could purchase handicrafts from Laksala via online.    We make a fair trade  for our  handicraftsmen. Foreigners frequently visit our showrooms and purchase handicrafts . Not limited to Sri Lanka our responsibility today is open the international market for handicraft industry.  If we can promote our handicrafts through our foreign mission, it would be a great help for development of the industry”  

Ambassadors / High Commissioners designate to USA , Austria,  Singapore, The Philippines, Indonesia, Bahrain, U.A.E., Belgium, Oman, Thailand, The Netherland and turkey along with  officers will assume duties in  Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Nepal Vietnam and Cuba in senior positions participated in the event.