Managing the craft industry of Sri Lanka: a study of the history of the governance, policies and political interventions with reference to Molagoda pottery, Weweldeniya cane and Pilimathalawa brass work

Abstract

The craft revival sees craft increasingly recognized as a growing industrial sector with benefits linked to educational, cultural, and economic development policy agendas of the country. The ―Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor‖, the policy statement of the SLPP government in 2019 emphasized the value of uplifting the selected traditional craft sector of Sri Lanka. This paper brings awareness of the policy decisions that place the craft sector in Sri Lanka from the Kandyan historical period today. Considering the craft sector perspectives of the government as policy initiatives it situates the disciplines and practices of crafts within their institutional support networks, organizational contexts and acquires attention to the role of individuals in driving agendas. The paper focuses on the policies and political interventions on crafts development. Moreover, it is clear that today‘s political interest in craft is no longer limited to a creative industry‘s agenda and the ‗demands‘ specific to the creative economy. The research reveals that the government initiatives on craft education and skill schemes that are geared towards broader economic and educational goals to sustain the national economy of the country must be properly addressed to the coupled economic stability of the country with a creative economy