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H.E. Butenis backs Sri Lanka Peace Collection

24 Dec '11
5 min read

Sri Lanka's handloom sector is one of the low cost but high earning industries. Its annual production exceeds six million metres of looms with an estimated annual production value of Rs 1500 Mn ($ 13.19 Mn) all of which are swallowed by both local and international demand. The production is labour intensive and the industry consumes less electricity & utilities while generating higher employment.

At present, there are 511 weaving centres with 2971 weavers and more than 10000 looms in Sri Lanka assisted by 22 dying houses. More than 15000 personnel are engaged in the handloom industry. The key Lankan provinces for handlooms are the Wayamba, Western, and Central provinces.

The eastern regions of Sri Lanka too were reputed for handlooms but the 2004 Tsunami disaster inflicted damage on the eastern production but despite this, eastern handlooms continue to command buyer appeal.

The handloom textile export target for 2011 set by the EDB under the Ministry of Industries is US $ 1.29 million (Rs 146 million). Among the international markets that vie for Sri Lankan handlooms are Italy, Germany, France, UK, Norway, Netherlands, Maldives and Thailand.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is also pushing the Sri Lanka Peace Collection which follows the renowned Rwandan Peace Collection model. Based on the 'trade instead of aid philosophy', the Rwandan Peace Collection, made available at Macy's department store based in the US, consists of traditionally woven baskets direct from Rwanda.

Created by Rwandan widows, the basket exports that began in 2005 became one of Rwanda's biggest exports by 2010, sustaining the weavers and their families. The Sri Lankan initiative also plans to support a portion of the female headed households in the N&E Provinces with livelihood support while assisting towards their responsibility of looking after the needs of nurturing their families.

The project will be implemented through existing weaving centres in the districts of Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullathivu, Killinochchi, Trincomalee,Anuradhapura,Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa and Ampara.

Previously, on September 22 Minister Bathiudeen announced that Peace Collection project had been strengthened by support and facilitation from UNESCO. Minister Bathiudeen said this during his meeting with Prithi Perera, Secretary General of Sri Lanka UNESCO National Commission on September 22.

During the meeting in Colombo, Perera announced UNESCO's support for the Sri Lanka Peace Collection. UNESCO has also given due recognition for the programme's goals in strengthening sustainable and cultural development through the project and will at some point facilitate a launch of the collection in Paris, UNESCO HQ.

Ministry Of Industry & Commerce, Sri Lanka

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