Once a year Lanka Mahila Samiti, holds a handicraft sale to display and popularise the Mahila Samiti products in Colombo, which has now become customary and a very well attended event.
The sale this year will be held at the Lionel Wendt Gallery, No. 18, Guildford, Crescent, Colombo 7, on December 4, from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The Lanka Mahila Samiti has from its inception taken a keen interest in reviving and promoting traditional cottage crafts of our country among its rural members. A variety of attractive handicrafts produced by members of rural Mahila Samitis will be on display.
Beautiful baskets made out of Vatakeiyya, mats woven with intricate traditional designs (Rata) and high quality coin purses, handbags, table mats and wall hangings made out of ‘Indikola’ palm and hemp (hana) could also be purchased at the sale.
Another attraction will be the beautifully smocked children’s frocks, nightdress sets, baby dressers, table linen as well as fine crochet and beeralu lace and lace trimmed table cloths, teapoy covers, table runners and cushion covers with traditional embroidery or trimmed with lace.
There will also be a variety of batik items including kaftans, shirts, sarongs, wall hangings and table cloths with napkins to match.
New items on display this year would be the beautiful hand embroidered spectacle cases, mobile phone covers, cloth bags and soft toys made out of fabrics.
There will also be stalls with festive décor, clothes and food items.
Ideal for Christmas or special gifts for personal use, the items on display represent the effort of rural women, which is to primarily improve their family income, while preserving traditional handicrafts.
The craft sales centre has been functioning since 1953 and is presently operating at 168 1/1, New Kandy Road, Welivita, Malabe.