The Ransalu Handloom Industry National Awards, a premier event promoting Sri Lanka’s local handloom industry, were held on Friday, 12 December 2025, at the Bandaranaike Conference Hall in Colombo. The ceremony took place under the patronage of Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti.
Organized annually by the Department of Textile Industries, in collaboration with the nine Provincial Industries and Textile Departments, the awards recognize the creativity, skill, and innovation of handloom designers across the country.
Provincial Competitions Feed National Awards
This year, preliminary competitions were conducted at the provincial level across 23 categories. Winning designs were then presented at the national competition.
A total of 127 artisans were recognized, receiving:
- Cash prizes
- Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards
- Merit awards
The Southern Province emerged as the overall champion, while the Central Province secured second place, highlighting the diversity and quality of handloom craftsmanship across Sri Lanka.
Minister Highlights Support for Handloom Artisans
During the awards ceremony, Minister Sunil Handunnetti addressed challenges faced by local textile designers, particularly in disaster-affected areas:
- Many artisans in districts such as Kandy, Kurunegala, Batticaloa, and Ampara were affected by recent natural disasters.
- The Ministry plans to provide immediate relief and create a supportive environment for affected artisans to resume their craft.
- Long-standing issues in the textile industry are being identified, with the government actively working on solutions.
- This year’s budget allocated 10 million rupees specifically for textile artisans, including raw material support to enable continued production.
Ransalu Handloom Industry Sales Exhibition
In addition to the awards, a three-day handloom sales exhibition was organized in conjunction with the ceremony, concluding on 14 December 2025.
The exhibition showcased a wide range of artisan products and provided a platform for designers to reach buyers and promote Sri Lanka’s rich handloom heritage.
Key attendees included:
- Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development
- Subhadra Walpola, Additional Secretary
- Senani Seneviratne, Director, Department of Textile Industries
- Ayesha Wickramasinghe, Chairperson, National Crafts Council
Promoting Sri Lanka’s Handloom Legacy
The Ransalu National Awards continue to encourage creativity and sustainability in the handloom sector, while fostering economic growth for local artisans. By recognizing talent and supporting artisans with resources and funding, the Ministry aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in the global textile market.
Summary:
The Ransalu Handloom Industry National Awards 2025 celebrated Sri Lanka’s finest handloom artisans, with the Southern Province winning the overall championship. The event highlighted government support for disaster-affected artisans, promoted the handloom industry, and provided a platform for artisans to showcase and sell their creations through a concurrent sales exhibition.