Craftsmen see better times

Kandyan craftsmen are spared the economic downturns of the drop in tourist arrivals, as they are surviving on export orders. “During the last few months due to depreciating tourist arrivals we have faced a problem, but we have secured some export orders, which has sustained our business,” M.K.R. Thilakeratne, Chairman Kandyan Arts and Crafts Industrial Centre, said.

He said there are 13,800 craftsmen in the Central Province. “We have 400 craftsmen who are on a sub-contracting basis at the Kandyan Arts and Crafts Industrial Centre. We had an issue when the tourist arrivals depreciated, but last month I went to Beijing for the South Asian Handicraft Exhibition, where we secured some orders,” he said. Thilakeratne said the company deals mostly in silver ornamental items.

“I feel that China has not recognized our handicraft market, but there is a lot of potential,” he said.