Since the ancient times, Mat weaving used to be practiced by rural women at home while their husbands were away at work in paddy fields or Chena cultivation in Sri Lanka.

Today, mat weaving is a popular cottage industry with established sales outlets around Sri Lanka. A fibre similar to Jute extracted from the leaves of Hana – a hemp grown wild in the marshy lands of Sri Lanka is processed, dyed and woven in patterns.

The modern Mat weaving craftsmen in Sri Lanka, to keep up with contemporary requirements, have introduced innovations in producing cushion covers, hand bags, shopping bags, letter holders, fans, screens etc. For centuries, Dumbara valley of the Kandy district has been famous for its production of mats with Distinctive design and colour schemes.

(ST/KH)