The Shilpa – 2008 National Handicrafts Industrial Exhibition organized by the National Crafts Council (NCC) was held at the BMICH in a grand-scale recently. Hereditary handicrafts manufactured by different handicrafts artistes were on display and around 1000 handicrafts creations showcased were the cynosure of the exhibition.

Handicrafts artistes W.H.Saminda of Dambulla, Yapagama and S.A.D.C. Wimalawathee of Kalutara Bandaragama were able to receive Swarana Awards at the competition held as their creations had reached a high degree of excellence, the NCC said.

NCC Development Assistant Ms.Geethani Weeratunge told The Island Financial Review that the NCC under the patronage of Rural Industries and Self-Employment Promotion Ministry had initiated to organize National Handicrafts Industrial Exhibition and Competition on annual basis and the exhibition of this nature was an encouragement to handicrafts artistes whose motivation had paid good dividends.

She said that the handicrafts artiste Wimalawathee of Badaragama had painstakingly created "Rata – Padura" reflecting a rare hereditary handicraft workmanship and the handicraft artiste Saminda of Dambulla had created a attractive wood handicraft depicting the important occasion of bringing the sacred tooth relic to Sri Lanka by Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamalee. The creation was of religious significance.

Ms. Weeratunge said that the NCC would hold the award presentation ceremony at the beginning of 2009 and all winners at the competitions would be presented with awards, monetary rewards and certificates. Those who had won the Swarana Awards would be presented with Rs.50,000, for Rajitha winners Rs.25,000. The first, second and third winners would receive Rs.20,000, Rs.15,000, Rs.10,000 and merit winners would be presented with Rs.5000.