Canadian envoy Visits Mullai Handloom Centre in Mullaitivu

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Eric Walsh, visited the Mullai Handloom Centre, an initiative supported by the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC).

The Centre is located in the Puthukudiyiruppu village in the Mullaithivu district, one of the regions most affected by Sri Lanka’s civil war.

The center, operated by the North and East Economic Development (NEED) Centre, currently trains 20 women from the area in the handloom industry.

CTC’s Humanitarian Projects Coordinator for Sri Lanka, Mr. Thushyanthan R. Thurairatnam, and Mr. Piratheepan Sothylingam, Board Director at the NEED Centre, welcomed the Canadian High Commissioner and provided insights into the Centre’s operations and its positive impact on women in the region. The Mullai Handloom Centre is also supported by the sale of Mullai sarees at Tamil events in Canada, including Tamil Fest 2024.

The initiative was launched to empower war widows and women affected by the war, providing them with financial independence and sustainable livelihoods.

By building skills in handloom weaving, the project aims to create long-term, meaningful change for these women and their communities.

The ultimate vision is to expand the reach of their products to the global market, offering continued support and economic opportunities for them in the future.

High Commissioner Walsh planted a coconut tree at the Centre to commemorate his visit.