HACGAM officials from Asia visit Laksala

Top naval officials from 17 countries participating in the High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the 15th Heads  of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in Sri Lanka arrived in Laksala , Thummulla today (11th) for shopping.Many of 35 Officers  who visited Sri Lanka for the first time  were delighted with handicrafts at Laksala.  Visitors purchased gems, batik and handloom clothing, tea, SPA, spices , wooden products and souvenirs.  

It is the first time Sri Lanka Coast Guard hosting this multilateral meeting .The HACGAM is a high-level multilateral meeting of Coast Guards and Maritime Law Enforcement agencies to ensure safe, secure and cleaner seas in the Asian region which originated through the initiatives of Japan in 2004. The meeting is considered to be one of the main events in the regional maritime law enforcement calendar.

Mr. Mangesh Keerthisena on Wehesa Niwana Hawasa

Mr. Mangesh Keerthisena, who has been working  for Laksala at Thummulla Branch,  participated in a special radio programme  at China Radio International in June 2019.

Handicraftsmen received a Rs: 25 Million payment

Thirty handicraftsmen who supply handicrafts to Laksala received an outstanding payment of Rs: 25 million in a special event held at Laksala Katubadda today(28). Mr. Muhammed Hamza, Chairmn, Laksala attended the event as a chief guest and delivered cheques to handicraftsmen.

Laksala management took drastic measures to pay supplier payments in order to uplift handicrafts industry which was seriously affected by the Easter Sunday bombings occurred in April this year.

Mr. Madura De Silv, CEO/Director General, Mr. Kelum Jayawardena ,Director (Sales), Ms. Vajira Samararatne, Deputy Director (Purchasing) and Laksala staff were also present on the occasion.

Laksala strives for the betterment of handicraftsmen

Mr. Madhura De Silva is addressing handicraftsmen at the event

Mr. Madhura De Silva, CEO/ Director General, Laksala explained Laksala’s new strategy to work for the betterment of local handicraftsmen at  a special event, which was organized by the National Craft council to educate craftsmen about the Shilpa Abhimani Exhibition and Competition, held at the ministry’s auditorium recently.

“Laksala now moves forward positively  with new vision under new leadership. We assure as a responsible government organization, we will do everything to uplift the handicraft sector in Sri Lanka. We have open our doors for creative products which could attract both local and foreign customers. We guarantee that L:aksala stands with our handicraftsmen shoulder to shoulder” said Mr. Silva.

                                           

Mr. Buddhika Pathirana, the acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Co-operative Development, Vocational Training & Skills Development, senior officials of the ministry and handicraftsmen in western province also participated in the event.

We enjoy shopping at Laksala as Sri Lanka is safe

While doing some shopping Italians tourists posed for a photograph 

A group of Italian tourists visited Laksala at Thummulla this morning (11th) did the shopping as they pleased. They were delighted with products  that they bought. This was the first time they visited to purchase handicrafts in Sri Lanka during their tour. They felt that they were very much safe in Sri Lanka after the security measures taken by the Sri Lankan government following the Easter Sunday attack occurred in April this year.

Meanwhile, the warning against travel to Sri Lanka has been withdrawn by countries in the European Union. Italy is also one of the members in   European Union. Sri Lanka  is now regarded as low risk, meaning that  travellers in Italy are allowed to travel in Sri Lanka. As a result of that these tourists arrived in Sri Lanka.They recommend Sri Lanka as a beautiful and safe island for those who are willing to travel.

Notice of Laksala Office Relocation

We are pleased to inform you that supply Chain division along with the central warehouse has been relocated from the rented Havelock office to our own building at Katubadda with immediate effect from 1 June 2019 onwards. Finance and other back office functions are being relocated to the head office- Thummulla.

This initiative will bring cost savings up to Rs 10 million per annum and this money could be utilized to pay our artisans and craftsmen. We look forward to your continued support. We will strive to provide the excellent service in appreciation of your support.
- Laksala Management -

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.