Date:07/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/07/stories/2007120761870300.htm

New Delhi

Sri Lankan tourism needs a boost for crafts to flourish

Staff Reporter

Taste for hand-woven products has improved, says architect Tilak Samarawickrema
“Have been influenced by European countries but have been a Sri Lankan in spirit”

NEW DELHI: Well-known Sri Lankan architect Tilak Samarawickrema on Thursday said the rich crafts of his country will flourish only if the tourism industry gets a new lease of life.

Delivering a talk on “A national identity or universality in design: A personal quest” at India International Centre here, Mr. Samarawickrema, who is popularising Sri Lankan images, forms, colours and traditional compositions and also marketing the products of indigenous craftsmen, said he firmly believed in the universality of design and wanted to go beyond regional boundaries. “When I was a student, I got a scholarship from the Italian Government to pursue architectural education in Italy. While my colleagues from Sri Lanka went to the U.S., Australia and England, I was the only one to go to Italy. I thought I could conquer the entire world with my line drawing. I got patronage from the architectural circle in Milan who supported me. In Italy I virtually lived off my drawing for 12 years. Later I went back to my motherland where I was a consultant at the National Development Centre. I showed them craft development.” Pointing out that the taste for hand-woven products had improved in his country, Mr. Samarawickrema said: “As a result, a number of hand-woven products are being sold at various shops in Colombo. But for all crafts to flourish it is necessary that tourism gets a fillip.”

“Over the years I have had various influences and vibrations from European as well as other countries but I have been a Sri Lankan in spirit. ”