Handicraft and cultural show:

Laksala Viskam 2010

Lakshmi DE SILVA

Laksala Viskam 2010 a handicrafts and cultural show will be held at the Viskam Niwasa at Thummulla Junction from Friday to Sunday commencing 10 a.m to 9 p.m, Strategic Enterprises Management Authority Chairman Willie Gamage said.

Addressing a press conference at the Viskam Niwasa yesterday, Willie Gamage said Laksala was running at a loss in 2006. It was given to SEMA four years ago under a special Gazette notification. During June last year Laksala had a turnover of Rs. 10.6 million but in June this year it had earned Rs.16. 8 million a 60 to 65 percent increase over the same period last year.

As a new strategy to attract more local and foreign customers Laksala Viskam 2010 would have two sessions. To educate people there will be demonstrations on traditional masks, Biralu weaving, Laksha traditional art, pottery, wood carving and weaving of mats and carpets from 10 a.m to 6.30 p.m.

The cultural show begins at 6.30 p.m and will go on till 9.p.m. This would be an experimental project and if this succeeds the next attraction would be held at the Laksala Head Office premises in Fort, he said.

People have limited places to go and we are opening new avenues for them to educate and enjoy themselves while giving them a chance to view our own traditional handicrafts and dances which are now threatened with extinction, the Chairman explained.

The three day Laksala Viskam handicrafts and cultural show will be a special place to buy gift items and also Salusala goods at special prices with unbelievable discounts, Willie Gamage noted.