“Fantastic!” was the prompt riposte by the visiting UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova at Museum Gallery Café outlet of Laksala, Sri Lanka’s apex national Gift & Souvenir Boutique.

The visiting UNESCO DG Bokova was touring the Laksala Museum Gallery Café at Albert Crescent earlier today (17) on the morning of 17 August together with her delegation.

“Fantastic! I am impressed by the quality and workmanship of Lankan handicrafts,” said UNESCO Director-General Bokova, delighting Laksala CEO Ahlam and the eager showroom staff.

During her stay at the showroom, Director-General Bokova carefully scrutinised various handicrafts and jewellery on display before finally settling on an orange coloured mini-Fire Devil Kandyan Mask to mark her visit to the Colombo 7 outlet.

Laksala CEO Ahlam and UNESCO representatives who showed Director-General Bokova a TV documentary on Lankan handicraft production, also briefed her on various aspects of local handicraft designs and its supply chains.

Laksala, the only state owned Gift & 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. Its slogan is “All of Sri Lanka”.

Laksala earned Rs.232.6M in Q1 ending 31st March -a 12% growth compared to 2015’s Q1. The vision of Laksala to be the leader in the gift and souvenir market in Sri Lanka to uplift traditional skills in rural areas.

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.