Laksala’s ‘Ape Gama’ in the heart of a city
Adding colour to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) being held in Colombo, crafts store Laksala opened a model village ‘Ape Gama’ in the heart of the capital city of Colombo, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte on Wednesday. It will be a permanent ‘village in the city’ for tourists and local visitors.
Speaking to the Business Times on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, Laksala Chairman and CEO, Anil Koswatte said, “‘Ape Gama’ will be a commercially viable entity, because with the tourism boom there is a huge demand in the city to have this kind of a village. This would be a beneficial place especially for tourists”.
Mr. Koswatte explained that the idea of building a village in the middle of a city was put forward by the Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa. “It took only three months, actually speaking 65 days to build the village,” he noted. Visitors are charged Rs. 10 (schoolchildren in their respective school uniforms), Rs. 100 for locals and US$5 for tourists.
‘Ape Gama’ built on 36 acres offers visitors the same experience they would get in a real village. The calm and quiet environment of the village gives the impression of an authentic Sri Lankan village.
Walking along the village, we come across small wattle and daub, and thatched cottages built with clay. Real –life villagers are engaged in their age old lifestyles and arts and crafts to earn their living. There were kids who were playing the traditional game called ‘Batta Painawa’ amidst joy and enthusiasm in a small part of the village.
Different types of dances, musical shows, dramas and the traditional ‘rukada’ drama or dance could also be enjoyed by the visitor. Some of villagers were performing the traditional fighting skills of the village men.
Also there is a mini zoo with two small elephants, a small crocodile and a huge snake to be seen.
‘Ape Gama’ gives a snapshot view of the ancient Sri Lankan village that was nurtured and preserved based on the governing principles of an agri-hydro civilization. Visitors get a first-hand experience of how industries such as pottery, brassware, batik, wood-craft, handlooms and many more, took shape in ancient Sri Lanka.
In addition to the main attractions, a restaurant built in keeping with international standards that cater Sri Lankan food from different regions, a handicrafts museum, a folk art centre and a Laksala outlet are some other key attractions in the village.