Matara, Sri Lanka — In a significant step toward economic empowerment for rural women, the Sri Lanka Association of Australia Awards Alumni (SLAAAA), in partnership with the Divisional Secretariat, Matara, inaugurated a new phase of its Handloom (Berulu) Women's Empowerment Project 2025 on October 7, 2025. The special event, held at the Divisional Secretariat Dickwella, in Matara, marked the beginning of a 12-month initiative aimed at providing modern handloom machinery, skills development, and crucial market access to women from economically vulnerable households.
The event commenced at 10:30 a.m., bringing together government officials, industry stakeholders, and the target beneficiaries. The primary goal of the project is to empower rural women in the Matara District by enhancing their income-generating capacity through modern handloom technology, training, and market access, thereby contributing to both individual and community development while preserving Sri Lanka’s rich handloom heritage.
The proceedings centered on the formal launch of the machinery and raw material provision. Under this initiative, 12 selected women from low-income households, with priority given to widows, female-headed households, and unemployed women, were equipped with a significant comprehensive package. This included the modern handloom machinery (tool) for each beneficiary, which, along with a crucial supply of yarn sufficient for one year of work for each woman, was a personal donation from Dr. Janagi Amarathunge, the project's Implementing Lead.
This extensive package is further complemented by comprehensive training in skill development and product design, supported by industry experts and government institutions. The long-term objective is to establish sustainable market linkages for the handloom products at local, national, and international levels.
The event featured addresses from key figures, highlighting the significance of the collaborative effort.
Ms. Mathumathi M. Rathnayakhe, Divisional Secretary, Dickwella, the Chief Guest, praised the initiative, stating she views this assistance as “a good guide and support for the women in this Divisional Secretariat who were waiting to advance the next step in their lives.” She further affirmed the Secretariat's commitment to continuously monitoring the project, organizing the producers, linking them with markets, and establishing a surveillance mechanism to ensure the plan's long-term sustainability.
Dr. Janagi Amarathunge (Entrepreneur) and SLAAAA Vice President, who is the Implementing Lead for the project, delivered an inspiring message to the beneficiaries. Speaking on the need for women to overcome self-doubt in business, she noted, “Women should never hesitate to start business activities. Women have a lot of work, many barriers, and many challenges, but they should not mentally weaken themselves because of this.” Dr. Amarathunge used her own journey as an example of overcoming numerous difficulties to become a successful entrepreneur, highlighting that her business success allows her to fulfill her needs and assist others.
Ms. Kalyani Abesekara, President of SLAAAA, acknowledged the project as a paramount activity among the organization's efforts to empower women, commending Dr. Janaki for spearheading the initiative.
Adding a broader economic perspective, Mr. S. Thanigaseelan, former President of SLAAAA, pointed out the national context: "The fact that the female labor force participation rate in this country is less than half that of men highlights the gap in women's empowerment in employment." He underscored Dr. Janaki's project as a “crucial milestone” at this time for rectifying this disparity.
The project is structured to benefit a total of 12 rural women from economically vulnerable households in the Matara District.
Expected outcomes include a 30–40% rise in household incomes within the first year for the trained beneficiaries, alongside the development of a replicable community-based microenterprise model. Crucially, the initiative will ensure accountability and sustainability through joint monitoring by local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and government officials.
This project represents a tangible commitment by SLAAAA to its mission of leveraging the expertise of its alumni for national development. By focusing on the modernization and innovation of the traditional handloom sector, SLAAAA is not only creating immediate livelihood opportunities but also investing in the cultural preservation and economic resilience of rural communities. The organization anticipates that the successful model in Matara will pave the way for replicating this empowerment strategy in other districts across the country.
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