Business

Government's order for office state emblems rescues Sri Lankan brass industry

Pilimathalawa (Sri Lanka), Dec 11 (EFE).- Every day a 41-year-old brass craft seller from a village in the Sri Lankan inland opened his handicraft shop at about 7 am, and after his offerings to Buddha, distributed the little work there was among his four employees.The lack of orders and a rise in raw material prices during the last five years had severely affected Senaka Jayalath’s trade in Pilimathalawa, which he has carried out for more than two decades.The lack of proper wages that ensued had left tens of thousands of artisans on the verge of losing their livelihoods.But Jayalath’s quiet routine has been altered since late last month after a change of government unsuspectingly began to boost his waning industry – a tide turn he hopes will allow the metalworking sector to regain its glory.The unexpected decision of new Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaska proved pivotal to this revival after he ordered that politicians’ images in state institutions be replaced by emblems of the nation shortly after taking charge – the most popular of which are handmade from brass.The emblem of a lion with a sword surrounded by lotus petals has become the new face of Rajapaksa’s government, who won the Nov. 16 election having promised to improve security and the economy in a country still shocked by the Easter Sunday Islamist attacks which killed 269 in April. (Camera: HARISH TYAGI).FOOTAGE SHOWING A BRASS ORNAMENT SHOP OF SENAKA JAYALATH, LOCATED IN PILIMATHALAWA, A VILLAGE FAMOUS FOR TRADITIONAL BRASSWARE IN SRI LANKA, AND HIS BRASSWARE FACTORY.SOUNDBITES: UDARA DARSHAN (IN SINHALA).TRANSLATIONS: 1.) (Q: How are state emblems made?) First we cut the sheet. The size we are given is 18 inches. We type it into a paper, then paste the paper on the sheet and carve it with needles. Then we emboss it to the other side. We have a machine to shine it. After that, we fix it to a wooden plank and sell (01:54-02:35).2.) (Q: What is the size of the emblem?) Normally it is 12 inches. [It could be] 12, 14, 16, 18 and 24 inches but they mostly for 18 inches in length and 12 inches in width these days. That is the measurement they have given us (02:49-03:05).