An Indian handicrafts exhibition is being organized in Colombo by the High Commission of India and Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Government of Sri Lanka from January 25th to 29th, 2006. The Exhibition will be jointly inaugurated by Honourable Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage of Sri Lanka and Her Excellency, Mrs Nirupama Rao, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka at 11.30 AM at the Banquet Hall of BMICH on the 25th of January 2006. This event is part of the celebrations being organized by the High Commission of India, Colombo to commemorate the 57th Republic Day of India.

The Exhibition will showcase the skills of Indian craftspersons and the wealth of Handicrafts from different states of India. Selected crafts of Jammu and Kashmir, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and other States of India will be on sale. Traditional clothing for men and women, including a collection of exquisite embroidered sarees will also be on sale. A highlight of this exhibition will be the live demonstrations by Indian craftpersons of leather embroidery from Bhuj, Gujarat, the famous chikan embroidery from Uttar Pradesh, wood carving from Rajasthan, papier mache from Jammu and Kashmir and cane and bamboo work from Assam. Large consignments of handicrafts will be available for sale. The exhibition has been sponsored by the office of the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts in India. Admission is open to all free of charge.