The Sri Lanka handloom textile industry is highly labour intensive export oriented rural based industry generating high returns. It has gained high socio economic importance due to the significant employment generating potential especially among the rural women in Sri Lanka.
Hand woven items are unique from other textile products because of the special characteristics they have. Being mostly cotton based, it demonstrates excellent fabric handling properties partly due to its weaving method.
There are about 962 private handloom producers in operation inclusive of small, medium and large-scale units. In addition, 8 provincial councils own 771 production centres and the industry provides employment to around 15,000 persons.
The industry has recorded a growth in the last few years. The export of handloom products has increased from Rs.l04 mn. in 2000 to Rs.135 mn. in 2005. These export earnings are accounted by 10 – 15 enterprises although there are many handloom weaving units located in different parts of Sri Lanka. Export market account for a substantial quantity of soft toys made out of handloom fabrics, hand woven materials such as curtaining, bed and table linen, bath and kitchen linen, and cushion covers, etc. These items are being exported to some of the most discriminating markets in the world. . |
