SEVA project signals new trade and investment potential for Sri Lankan craft

SRI Lanka's creative and craft sector has marked a landmark moment with the launch of SEVA, a transdisciplinary cultural diplomacy project uniting international artistry with Sri Lankan heritage. Beyond its artistic merit, SEVA showcases the untapped trade potential of Sri Lanka's artisan economy, an area poised to grow into a high-value export sector and attract new investment.

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An outcome of the EU—Sri Lanka Matchmaking Program, delivered with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), supported by the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the Cultural Relations Platform (CRP), with the University of the Arts London (UAL) and the British Council as knowledge partners, and The Institute of Future Creations (TIFC) as program leader, SEVA has also received the backing of the Italian Embassy in Colombo.

Led by Italian visual artist Caterina Roppo, SEVA explores the intersection of art, mental health, and post-traumatic resilience, with a focus on marginalised artisanal communities. Earlier this year, Roppo worked in residency with Sonali Dharmawardena, one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated textile artists, merging contemporary art practice with the country’s textile heritage.

In July 2025, SEVA premiered a short documentary at the Italian Terrae International Film Festival, marking the first time Sri Lankan batik and textile craftsmanship have been presented in this way to an international film audience. It was a world first for Sri Lankan batik to be showcased on the global stage through the medium of film, reaching new audiences and elevating the craft to an international platform. This is more than cultural exposure and awareness. It is a strategic first step toward positioning Sri Lanka’s craft sector in high-value export markets.