Kumudini's exotic designs captivate the world

Irangika Range

Colourfully decorated elephants, beeralu work, flowers and vines run all over the bright fabrics, sarongs, wall hangers, saris and cushion covers spreading an authentic Sri Lankan touch wherever they are placed.

The designer and the creator of the whole affair is Kumudini de Silva, a courageous woman hailing from Ambalangoda, famous for traditional art and handicrafts.

Following in the footsteps of her parents, de Silva ventured into handloom designing in a small way. Today her products have won a distinctive place in the international market due to her latest designs, creativity and quality.

She has been involved in manufacturing handlooms since 1994. "It is my farther's business which he started in 1952 with 100 machines. He was engaged in the business successfully benefiting from the suspension of fabric imports imposed in 1977. But the industry suffered a serious setback with the resumption of fabric imports in 1978 and we were unable to compete with foreign fabrics. With my father's demise my mother continued it in a small way."

De Silva got married and left for Germany with her husband. That was an enlightening journey as she realised the potential in foreign countries for handloom textiles and earned funds to revive the family business.

Four years after her return to Sri Lanka, she started the venture obtaining training at the Textile Training and Services Centre and at the National Designing Centre. She also trained 10 students.

Her courage and determination helped her purchase new machinery and achieve her goals. She has participated in over 30 exhibitions at national and international level. Today, there is a great demand for her products; bed sheets, sarongs, wall hangers, saris, curtains, serviettes, polishing cloths and table mats. Apart from the local market, her products have found homes in Poland, Australia and Canada.

"My aim is to popularise Sri Lankan traditional products in international market to carve a significant place for local products," she said.

"India and Pakistan have given priority to develop the handloom industry as it's one of their traditional industries. We need such patronage for the survival of local handloom industry which is still in the infant stage. It is one of the main industries on which mostly rural unemployed women depend," she added.

"There is a ray of hope as the Government has identified developing the handloom industry as a priority."

The local handloom textile should be culture-oriented, she believes. The adoption of latest technology along with a proper brand name is essential to improve the traditional industry.

She has over 25 employees. "They are my driving force and I treat them as my family members".

She maintains a showroom in Ambalangoda and seeks an islandwide expansion. Her talents, skills and dedication have been rewarded at many awards ceremonies including the Bronze Award at the Best Women Entrepreneur Awards 2006 organised by the Women's Chamber of Industries and Commerce recently.

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Save your family from Chikungunya

Dr. Kaleel Cassim

The widespread fear these days in the country is Chikungunya; a flu carried by a mosquito. Read the article and save your family from the disease which affects your joints.

Chikungunya fever and associated arthritis is caused by a virus called Chikungunya virus originally isolated during an epidemic of febrile arthritis in Tanzania in 1952-1953. The local tribal word, Chikungunya, 'that which twists or bends up', was applied to the virus and the disease. Humans are the major reservoir for Chikungunya virus transmitted by Aedes mosqitoes.

Communities, particularly urban centres, where Chikungunya fever has not been encountered for a prolonged period have a population without immunity.

Therefore, those communities are at a risk for significant infection. Globalisation may also contribute to the increase risk. The current increase in Chikungunya infection in Sri Lanka is due to the above mentioned factors.

Symptoms and signs

* Chikungunya fever has an explosive onset associated with high fever and severe joint pains.

* Consitutional symptoms (lethargy, loss of appetite, generalised muscle pain) and rash follow an illness that lasts from 1 to 7 days. The incubation period (the period between the bite of the infected mosquito and onset of syptoms) is usually 2-3 days but ranges over 1-12 days.

* Fever elevations occur quickly and is accompanied by shivering. The acute illness may last 2-3 days but ranges over 1-12 days. Following the acute illness, fever may resolve for 1-2 days before a relapse occurs.

* Pain in multiple joints is migratory (moving from one joint to another) and predominantly affects the small joints of the hands, wrists, feet, and ankles with less prominent involvement of the large joints like the knees, hips and shoulder.

* Previously injured joints may be more severely affected. Stiffness and swelling may occur but large accumulation of fluid in the joints are uncommon. In severe cases, symptoms may persist for months. Approximately 10 per cent of patients have joint symptoms for nearly a year after the infecton.

A destructive joint illness may occur in a few adult patients with chronic symptoms. Generalized muscle pain, and back and shoulder pain are common.

* Involvement of the skin is characterized by facial and neck flushing followed by a florid rash beginning 1 - 10 days after illness onset. The rash is located on the trunk, extremities and occasionally the face, palms, and soles. It may be itchy and in some patients the skin peels off.

* Other symptoms during the acute illness - sore throat, headache, pain behind the eye, photophobia (inability to look into bright light), nausea, and loss of appetite.

* Symptoms in children tend to be milder with nausea and vomiting, sore throat, and facial flushing being prominent features. Joint pain and rash, are uncommon.

Treatment

Fever

The fever and joint pains during the acute illness is managed by adequate rest, increase in fluid intake and paracetemol. If symptoms persist please see your doctor immediately. Joint pains

Patients with joint pain and swelling persisting after the acute illness has settled should see a rheumatologist. In most patients the pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints respond to the class of drugs called the Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, when NSAID's fail to control symptoms, other medication is available, which your rheumatologist will advise you on. Prevention

As mentioned above the infected Aedes mosquito is the source of infection. Destroying its breeding sites and taking measures to prevent it from biting humans is the only way to control the spread of this virus.

(The writer is a Board Certified Specialist in Rheumatology attached to the Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital.)