The High Commissioner of India, Mr. Ashok K. Kantha and Hon. Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, Government of Sri Lanka, inaugurated the Joint Handicrafts Exhibition and Fair by award winning craftspersons from India and Sri Lanka at the National Art Gallery on Tuesday 05 April 2011 at 1530 Hrs. Governor of the Western Province Hon’ble S. Alavi Moulana and Hon. Weerakumara Dissanayake, Deputy Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, also graced the inauguration, which was attended by senior officials from the Government of Sri Lanka, members of the Diplomatic Community and eminent personalities from the fields of handicrafts, art and culture and media. Five master craftspersons from India, who are recipients of the National Award for Excellence in their respective crafts, are displaying live demonstration of crafts such as Papier Machie, Wood Carving and Inlay, Artistic Weaving of Woollen Shawl, Wood Carving and Brass Inlay and Thewa Art at the Exhibition.

The Joint Handicrafts Exhibition and Fair of award winning Master Craftspersons from India and Sri Lanka has been organized by the Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and the National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka in association with the High Commission of India as part of the Programme of Cultural Cooperation between India and Sri Lanka for 2010-2013 signed during the State visit of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka to India in June 2010.

Speaking at the inauguration, High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha recalled the excellent cooperation between the Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and the National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka which has resulted in participation of craftspersons in a number of handicrafts fairs organized in India and Sri Lanka. Six master craftspersons from India had earlier participated in a similar fair organized by the National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka in August, 2009 under the Crafts Exchange Programme. Similarly, craftspersons from Sri Lanka had participated in “Shilpa Sri Lanka” organized at Dilli Haat in November, 2010. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) had facilitated participation from Sri Lanka in the seminar on “Sustainable Livelihood for Women through Crafts” held at Dilli Haat in January 2011. Craftspersons from Sri Lanka have been regularly participating in the annual Suraj Kund Crafts Mela held in India in the month of February. High Commissioner also highlighted that a similar exhibition with the participation of Sri Lankan craftspersons will be organized in India later this year.

High Commissioner also underlined that the setting up of Handicrafts Marketing Villages by the National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka in the Jana Kala Kendraya premises, Battaramulla was inspired by the concept of Dilli Haat, and reiterated India’s readiness to assist in the establishment of similar Handicrafts Production and Marketing Villages in Jaffna and Hambantota in response to a proposal for assistance received from National Crafts Council.

In his remarks, Hon’ble Minister Devananda also welcomed the organization of the Joint Handicrafts Exhibition and Fair and looked forward to organization of a similar exhibition in India later this year.

Entrance is free and all are cordially invited to visit the Joint Handicrafts Exhibition and Fair being held at National Art Gallery, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo-07 between 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. from 6-10 April, 2011.