Colombo (AsiaNews) - The Savisthri women's movement organised its Annual Trade and Exhibition Fair in Colombo to mark the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year, which fall on the same day, 14 April, this year. The aim is for women to help women.
For two days, yesterday and today, some 20 artisans and small business owners from across the country showed and sold their wares. With middlemen out of the picture, their prices were more than competitive, to the benefit of both sellers and customers.
Stands displayed rice, cereals, shoes and handmade clothes, jewels, sweetmeats, jaggery and honey. All the food on sale came from organic farmers.
"Our aim," Savisthri national coordinator Padma Pushpakanthi told AsiaNews, "was to bring together producers and consumers, and create a more sustainable form of market for everyone."
"For sellers, it is advantageous in terms of income: by eliminating the middleman, everything goes into their pockets and they are encouraged to provide quality goods. For buyers, it is cheaper than any product bought in the store."
Theresa, a Catholic from Raddolugama (Jaela), is one of the sellers.
"I earned good money," she told AsiaNews. "Today I have already sold all the kokis I prepared." Kokis (aka Rosette or Rice Cookies) is a crispy sweet made with rice flour and coconut milk.
In addition to yummy food, she also sold fresh meat, cotton linen sheets and pillows.
A Sinhalese Buddhist was among the customers who came to the fair. "I am happy with this initiative, because I found many things my family needs at a fair price to celebrate the New Year. And all in the same place."