The visiting UNESCO DG Ms Bokova was touring Ministry of Industry and Commerce’ Laksala Museum Gallery Café at Albert Crescent joined by her delegation and Dhammika Wijayasinghe (Secretary General of Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO), Himali Jinadasa (UNESCO Focal Point Sri Lanka & Senior Advisor to Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen, DG/CEO of Sri Lanka Handicraft Board Laksala Ali Ahlam Nawaz, Chief of UNSECO’s Section for Cooperation with Multilateral and Private Funding Sources Shantha Retnasingam as well as DG Bokova’s husband Mr Kalin Mitrev who is Bulgarian government’s high powered representative to Board of Directors of London’s European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

“Fantastic! I am impressed by the quality and workmanship of Lankan handicrafts” said Director-General Bokova. Laksala CEO Ahlam and UNESCO representatives briefed her on various aspects of local handicraft designs and its supply chains.

Laksala, the only state owned Gift and Souvenir Boutique and which functions under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce was established under the National Crafts Council and Allied Institutions Act of 1982.Laksala earned Rs.232.6M in Q1 ending 31st March -a 12% growth compared to 2015’s Q1. Laksala has 14 modern showrooms in strategic locations carrying over 20,000 quality guaranteed items-all manufactured by Sri Lankan craft entrepreneurs, keeping alive the traditional skills whilst infusing modern designs.