Sri Lanka to Develop Handicrafts, Cottage IndustriesSri Lanka is to launch an islandwide national program to safeguard and develop the country's traditional handicrafts and cottage industries.The Ministry of Rural Industrial Development announced Wednesday that a sum of 237 million rupees will be spent to set up fully fledged craft townships at 14 selected locations. The project will seek to upgrade the living standards of traditional craftsmen, provide on going training, self-employment opportunities and latest technology and machinery. It is expected that 300,000 self-employed opportunities will be made available through the project. Sri Lanka is steeped in a variety of handicrafts ranging from cane and vegetable fiber ware to brass ware and pottery in different parts of the country. Recently there has been an export thrust and traditional handicrafts have found markets abroad. |
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