New-look Laksala aims for 40 % growth this year
Laksala, the state-owned handicrafts dealer, outlets is aiming for 40 per cent growth this year compared to last year, according to Chairman and CEO, Anil Koswatte when he spoke last week at the opening of the new souvenir boutique ‘Laksala Museum Gallery Café’ at the rear premises of the Colombo National Museum in the capital.
This is a life-like statue of a craftsman at the new Laksala outlet in Colombo. A unique feature of the store is the presence of many life-like statues representing tea workers, weavers, etc. Pic by Indika Handuwela.
Minister of Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of National Heritage, Jagath Balasuriya and Minister of Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation, Jayarathne Herath were among those present at the opening ceremony.
Mr. Koswatte said that the traditional industry of Sri Lanka during the 30 years of war the market for arts and crafts was also affected like many other sectors.
Now under the guidance and direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to improve and develop traditiomal arts and crafts, Laksala has initiated a new showroom to serve foreign tourists better which he noted will also be an important new value addition to the tourism sector.
“In this sector, at the end of the day, the money goes back to the rural cottage industry. The village craftsmen and small scale suppliers will definitely get the benefit out of the tourism development,” he said adding that traditional craftsmen sell their goods at any of the Laksala outlets, will be of tremendous benefit to the sector.
Laksala has more than 7000 suppliers. “This is a huge supply chain. We cannot have a small place and say that these are our traditional products. We have to have this kind of an up market place, where we get more business,” he added.
A total investment of Rs. 220 million is being made in the new gallery café with the first phase costing Rs.185 million while the balance will be utilised for future expansions and necessary developments.
“This is going to be a happening place. We already have one of the leading coffee shops Barista within our premises and we are planning to make use of the front premises to host evening shows, especially cultural activities,” he said.
Laksala which was once an under-performing entity due to financial hardships and management issues, was considered an inactive government organisation by 2008. It was almost nearing bankruptcy in 2009.
However the Laksala team made a tremendous comeback in 2010 with a profit of Rs.6 million. In 2011, the net profit was Rs.50 million and in 2012, it was Rs.73 million. Forecasted profit for 2016 is Rs. 200 million. We are investing a lot of money on the development, especially on our showrooms introducing new technology and new designs for our customers,” he said.
Laksala sales outlets are available in Thummulla, Fort, Battaramulla, Katubedda, Katunayake, Kandy, Galle, Welipenna, Colombo Racecourse, Pinnawala, Ja-Ela and now in Greenpath in Colombo. The Kandy outlet is being revamped with modern technology while the Fort showroom, nearing 50 years old, is also up for renovation. Another new store is being planned for opening in Galle.
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus