MARTIN WICKREMESINGHE MUSEUM
Thirtieth anniversary celebrated at the Koggala museum
The thirtieth anniversary of the Martin Wickremesinghe Museum in Koggala was cerebrated recently in a grand way. The exhibition of traditional customs and handicrafts that portrayed the rural life style and the social backg round which for med the base of Martin Wickremesinghe’s novels and his other literary works was the main highlight of the celebrations. The exhibition was organized by schoolchildren in the Habaraduwa Education Division. They created a rural setting with traditional industries, arts and crafts, religious beliefs, agriculture, indigenous medicine, wood carvings, weaving, and trade that were reminiscent of a souther n coastal village in the early 20th century.
The students of Habaraduwa Martin Wickremesinghe Vidyalaya, Batemulla national school, Kataluwa national school, Ahangama Rohana Maha Vidyalaya, Ahangama Shariputra Maha Vidyalaya, Habar-
The exhibition portrayed the rural life style and the social background which formed the base of Martin Wickremesinghe’s novels and other literary works
aduwa Dhar mika Maha Vidyalaya, Wellethota Sugathananda Maha Vidyalaya, Welhengoda Gunarathana Maha Vidyalaya, Hinatigala Shariputra Maha Vidyalaya, Habaraduwa Abhayadana Jun- ior School participated. The exhibition included demonstrations of traditional cottage industries, cooking, religious activities, the treatment of patients through indigenous medicine, and the village smithy. They also enacted traditional methods and customs in paddy cultivation.
The exhibition was declared open by the late Martin Wickremesinghe’s sons, Dr.ranga Wickremesinghe, Wasantha Wickremesinghe and his daughter Rupa Samapamadu.