Sri Lanka’s historic crafts to go hi tech, get SME funding
View(s):Sri Lanka’s historic craft traditions are set to go hi-tech while the craftsmen themselves are set to receive international craft exposure.
The country’s national crafts expo series has also for the first time, expanded to include SAARC region’s arts and crafts.
“It is time we bring in new technologies to this sector. Together with our Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure, we are planning to introduce new tech to Sri Lankan crafts sector,” announced Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on 17 November.
He was addressing the inauguration event of Shilpa Abhimani–2016 Presidential Awards and Handicrafts Exhibition by the National Crafts Council (NCC) of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce at BMICH on 17 November, according to a government media release.
The high level crafts and arts expo by the NCC is aimed at uplifting the quality of Sri Lanka’s craftsmen and their produce. Taking part at this year’s event –along with with the 100 Lankan exhibitors are 30 visiting craftsmen from SAARC countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. Joining the inauguration event were Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Primary Industries Daya Gamage, State Minister of Industry and Commerce Champika Premadasa and NCC Chairperson Heshani Bogollagama among others as well as some members of the diplomatic community in Colombo.
“Not every Sri Lankan completes their higher education in full and many of them want to take up other avenues of skilled livelihood such as arts and crafts. We need to provide a permanent income to present and future Sri Lankan craftsmen. We want to modernise this sector as well. It is time we bring in new technologies to this sector. Together with our Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure, we are planning to introduce new tech to Sri Lankan crafts sector,” said the Prime Minister and added: “As they are SMEs, we also plan to increase funding to them through budgeted SME funds.