Female handicraft workers in Thalakolawewa in the Polpithigama Divisional Secretariat division who use aquatic plants in their work have urged the authorities to provide them with the facilities needed to sell their products at a reasonable price.
Invasive aquatic plants such as water hyacinth could be used to make products such as bags, hats, table cloths, dust bins as well as boxes and baskets.
Menike Dissanayake, a handicraft worker said that most people were reluctant to buy products made using aquatic plants as they are under the impression that those products are of inferior quality.
Polpithigama Assistant Divisional Secretary U.D.R.A. Ruwanpura said that all the products are eco-friendly. “We held a training program for handicraft workers in the area with the assistance of the Polpithigama Pradeshiya Sabha.”
There is a high demand for such products from foreign tourists. Therefore, it is our duty to make sure these workers are provided the facilities to carry out their work and sell their products easily,” she added.