Products from the northern Tamil districts impress visitors at Colombo ‘fair’

Courtesy of the Daily News, May 2014

A variety of products from the Northern Province made an eye catching display at the newly built market stalls at the Diyatha Uyana, close to the Diyawanna Lake in Kotte on Thursday. Products showcased by over 250 individuals representing various villages in the Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mulaithivu, Mannar and Vavuniya districts at the Diyatha Uyana premises were a major attraction among the local and foreign visitors. The government facilitated the opportunity with the financial and organising support of several organisations, including the USAID and Nucleus, to allow these producers to promote their products, and make commercially viable interactions.

Among the exhibited products, were handloom products, palmyrah handicrafts, flower works, bio-friendly products, palmyrah and various other food products, wool work, pottery, toys, dried fish, and herbal products.The stalls, especially the ones selling jiggery and dried fish and products made of palmyrah  had good sales.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda and Commerce and Industry Minister Rishad Bathiudeen who visited the stalls on an inspection tour were full of praise for those involved with the Diyatha Uyana. Minister Rajapaksa said this opportunity would help these producers introduce their products to the people in Colombo and other adjoining areas.

The group is to exhibit their products at the Race Course in Colombo today. Several salespersons from the North talking to the Daily News were very grateful for the opportunities provided to them to market their products in Colombo.

Jaffna Palmyrah Handicrafts (Guaranttee) Ltd Secretary Vartharasan Soba said there is an even greater demand and interest for their palmyrah products, especially among foreigners.

She said that this augurs well for the future of her company. T. Pushpadevi who represented Andhiran Janashakthi Leather Products expressed her pleasure for the opportunity she got to enter the Colombo markets. She said the Industrial Development Board provides training and support with the marketing aspects of their products. James Harippradas who was at the dried fish stall said there is great demand for Jaffna dry fish.

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