China lauds efforts to boost handloom textile industry
China’s Ambassador in Sri Lanka Wu Jianghao with Economic
Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the event
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China’s Ambassador in Sri Lanka Wu Jianghao lauded the Economic
Development Ministry’s efforts to uplift the living conditions of about
1,000 handloom textile weavers in Upper Madampella, Divulapitiya. This
village is well-known for the handloom textile industry.
Ambassador Jianghao said this when he addressed a ceremony held in
connection with the distribution of handlooms among 57 weavers who
completed their training at the Upper Madampella Liya Abhiman Handloom
Textile Designing Development and Service Centre.They were the second
batch to be trained by the centre. Economic Development Minister Basil
Rajapaksa presided over the event. The Chinese Ambassador expressed his
appreciation of the Minister’s contribution to strengthen to historic
ties between China and Sri Lanka.
Having noted the immense difficulties traditional handloom textile
weavers in Upper Madampella faced several years ago in the past,
Minister Basil Rajapaksa launched a special programme jointly with the
Liya Abhiman organization to motivate and encourage them in building up
the industry.
It was for this purpose that the Liya Abhiman Handloom Textile
Designing Development and Service Centre were set up. The first batch of
65 weavers trained by the centre received handlooms and other facilities
last December 14. They are now successfully engaged in their business.
New designs and new technology were introduced to manufacturers under
the programme. The Liya Abhiman Organization renovated with the Economic
Development Ministry’s assistance a dilapidated building at Ihala
Madampalle to house the Centre for training the textile weavers to
manufacture textiles of high value. Handlooms for the second batch were
provided with funds from the Chinese Ambassador. The third batch was
recruited during the same ceremony.
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