A GLOBAL VOICE IN LONDON

SRI LANKA'S CRAFT HERITAGE FINDS

- BY TINA EDWARD GUNAWARDHANA

Renowned for its handloom textiles, batik, jewellery, and centuries-old artisanal traditions, Sri Lanka's craft heritage has long been a quiet yet powerful expression of the island's culture.

Today, these crafts are gaining renewed relevance on the global stage, supported by international partnerships and a growing appetite for authenticity, sustainability, and slow fashion. At the forefront of this effort is the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, which continues to play a pivotal role in introducing Sri Lankan artisan crafts to the UK market.

This commitment was showcased through Crafting Sri Lanka's Global Future: Exhibition & Dialogue 2025, held on 3 December 2025 at the Sri Lanka High Commission. Hosted in collaboration with the Institute for Future Creations (TIFC), London College of Fashion at the University of the Arts London (UAL), and the EU Culture Relation Platform, the event brought together around 70 participants from the UK, EU, and Sri Lanka, including academics, designers, and creative-industry partners. The programme formed part of the wider Creative Sri Lanka 2030 initiative, aimed at strengthening the country's creative economy while safeguarding its rich cultural legacy.