The Sri Lanka High Commission in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with the National Craft Council of Sri Lanka (NCC), hosted a RoundTable Discussion on the future of Sri Lankan crafts, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

Held at the Sri Lankan High Commission in London last week, the event drew over 25 participants, including academics from the London College of Fashion, an expert from the EU Craft Work Project, entrepreneurs, retailers, writers, and representatives from the Sri Lanka–UK Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of Sri Lanka Association.

High Commissioner Nimal Senadheera chaired the session and, in his opening remarks, emphasised the vital role crafts play in preserving Sri Lanka’s cultural identity. He highlighted their contribution to local livelihoods and export markets, calling for greater awareness, education, and commercial engagement, while maintaining the authenticity of traditional craftsmanship.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Ayesha Wickramasinghe, Chairperson of the NCC and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Textile and Apparel Engineering, University of Moratuwa. Dr. Wickramasinghe detailed current initiatives aimed at safeguarding traditional crafts, fostering innovation, and enhancing access to both domestic and international markets.

Her visit to the UK, alongside fellow academic and NCC Board Member Dr. Sumith Gopura, was supported by the British Council’s Connections through Culture programme. The two scholars have been leading the project Empowering Handloom Artistry, the results of which were recently showcased at the Threaded Heritage exhibition, held at Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of Reading, both key UK project partners.

A lively Q&A session, moderated by Minister (Commercial) Somasena Mahadiulwewa, addressed pressing issues such as limited funding, barriers to international distribution, quality control, and the need for skilled artisans. Export related challenges, including inadequate HS codes and customs complications, were also raised. Participants urged stronger international marketing efforts to promote Sri Lankan crafts more effectively on the global stage.

The event concluded with a display of handloom apparel and crafts from the Threaded Heritage collection, offering attendees a first-hand look at the richness of Sri Lankan textile artistry. The discussion marked a meaningful step toward enhancing collaboration, addressing industry challenges, and supporting the sustainable growth of Sri Lanka’s vibrant craft sector.

By Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London ✍️