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Dikwella, situated on the south coast, is famous for traditional Beeralu Bobbin lace making. Women in the area have been working in the industry for generations. However, most have earned very little because products had to be sold through middlemen.
In Dikwella, which was badly affected by the tsunami, over 10,000 families are in a low income bracket, earning less than £20 per month.
A lace making centre was set up in Dikwella in 2008. The project protects the livelihoods of the traditional lace makers, trains unemployed women in lace making skills and provides marketing support to revive a disappearing and dying craft.
In 2011, the ladies at the lace centre are benefitting with help from acclaimed Sri Lankan fashion designer and winner of the Sri Lanka Young Fashion Entrepreneurs, Kasuni Rathnasuriya. Kasuni designs contemporary fashion items, using traditional lace. You can see her collection here.
Kasuni will be visiting the centre roughly once a week to help develop new products, and put a modern twist on traditional items.
...and visit the traditional craft centre to see the women at work and buy local crafts as authentic souvenirs from the island. Tea is served all day, and the centre is on route to Yala National Park, so it's a great place to stop off on the way.
Download the excursion leaflet to find out more
If you would like to offer your customers the chance to visit the lace centre, please send us an enquiry. You can also download the leaflet below for more information.
Renuka no longer feels like a burden to her family thanks to her job at Dikwella Lace Centre. Renuka and her colleagues are proud that the centre is keeping the tradition of Bobbin lace making alive and securing their future…and holidaymakers can take home a hand-crafted souvenir!