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A village full of crafts
By Vidushi Seneviratne
For anyone looking for a brush with culture, a visit to the Shilpa Crafts Village opened last week maybe the answer. It is situated in the picturesque Folk Art Centre complex in Battaramulla.

Bamboo groves, an abundance of foliage, the Diyawanna Oya and a bird sanctuary enhance the beauty of the site. The village was declared open on February 20 with an evening of traditional music and is open daily from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

"The idea of the Village was put forward by Chairman of the National Crafts Council Buddhi Keerthisena. The objective is to preserve and develop various aspects of our national heritage," said Consultant, National Crafts Council P.G.P. Rathnayake. Managed by the Crafts Council itself, this is an undertaking of the Ministry of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion and the Ministry of Rural Economy, and is sponsored by the Ministry of Rural Economy. The project hopes to boost the production of export-oriented handicrafts and expand foreign and local markets.

This is the second in a series of ten such villages planned around the country. "Our focus is to combine the Crafts Village with eco-tourism, ensuring that the project in is in line with responsible environmental conditions. We have worked very closely with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, " said Mr. Rathnayake.

"Tourists can visit the village, view the cultural and traditional crafts on display, enjoy a local theatrical performance and a typical Sri Lankan meal, " explained Mr. Rathnayake.

The craftsmen were chosen from among those registered with the Janakala Kendra, mostly from the Western Province. The featured crafts range from woodwork and brass work, to batik, lace, traditional handloom, and even gem cutting and work done by blacksmiths. The inaugural Crafts Village situated in Sigiriya now houses around 65 craftsmen.

The skilled craftsmen and women work in the ten cottage workshops complete with mud walls and thatched roofs. "We used to get involved in the exhibitions organised by the Janakala Kendra, which are held annually. It is through this that I got involved in the Crafts Village," said Thilakaratne Oluboduwa, one of the craftmen at the Shilpa Craft Village. Coming from a family of mask makers, his family has been involved in this particular trade for generations.

"We usually use wood from the kaduru tree, to make the masks. We need about one week to complete a mask," he added, mentioning that the Naga Raksha, Gurulu, Ginijála and Rathnakuta, were some of the more sought after masks.

The crafts can be purchased at the sales centre and showroom. The complex also houses a meeting hall to host craft conferences and seminars, and a training centre.

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