Local products, the focus at CAN Market

By Anoushka Jayasuriya

Creative Isle, in collaboration with the Colombo City Centre, launched the Ceylon Artisan Network (CAN), a weekly three-day market at the CCC Atrium last weekend.

The CAN market is on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30 a.m to 9 p.m. With regional vendors gathered in one location, shoppers have access to an exciting range of locally produced goods and can browse through home and lifestyle products, fashion accessories, artisan food products, herbal teas, cosmetics, and much more.

A panel discussion on the day of the launch saw Creative Isle Founder Keshini Ann Suraweera; Chairman of TV Derana and Joint Managing Director of Triad Sri Lanka, Dilith Jayaweera; Head of Corporate Communication and CSR at Abans PLC, Saumya Perera; Director of the National Enterprise Development Authority, Lakshman Wijeyawardena; Honorary Consul of Georgia in Sri Lanka, Dian Gomes and Chief Guest, cricketing legend MuttiahMuralitharan giving insights as to what CAN Market offers and its significance in the development of Sri Lankan micro entrepreneurs.

“As the country comes out of the COVID epidemic, it's a real need to drive entrepreneurship,” said Saumya Perera, commenting on the crucial timing of the initiative.  “We are opening our doors to the Colombo community, for all the aspiring micro entrepreneurs from across the country to really get a chance to tap into the thriving Colombo shopping market.”

The CAN Market is supported by the Foundation of Goodness, National Enterprise Development Authority and the UNDP. Scope Cinemas are cinema partners and Antyra Solutions social media partners.

(Pix by Sameera weerasekera)