An event that will showcase beeralu lace products made by tsunami-affected entrepreneurs from Mirissa will take place on 5 December 2009 at French Street/Il Ponte, Hilton Colombo. Organised by South Asia Partnership Sri Lanka

Beeralu lace-making was introduced to Sri Lanka during the period of Dutch colonization in the fifteenth century. It has been practiced by women living in the south coast of Sri Lanka for centuries, but was fast becoming a dying art. The tsunami of 2004 delivered a devastating blow to the industry, destroying the lace-making equipment and materials.

In 2005 SAPSRI joined in partnership with HSBC to revive the industry and help200 tsunami-affected women from Mirissa rebuild their livelihoods. The project provided equipment, training and microfinance, and the women shook off the industry’s old-fashioned image, creating new products and designs that appealed to a new market. Building on the success of this project, SAPSRI and HSBC have launched a new project to transfer traditional beeralu lace-making skills to 100 young women.

‘Paramparaven 2009’ is a unique opportunity to view the products and meet the women who produce them. It builds on the success of previous ‘Paramparaven’ events, which have been held since 2006. By bringing together members of the business community and the marginalized producers, these events have demonstrated the skills and capacity of the lace makers, raised the profile of the industry and introduced the products to new markets.

This year’s exhibition and sale will reveal new dimensions to Beeralu lace, with the introduction of vibrant colours and a contemporary white, beige and ivory palette. The product range, which includes many Christmas gift ideas, comprises shirts, sarongs, sarees, household linen, shoes , ornaments and more.

This event is a culmination of a year’s work helping the beeralu-lace makers of Mirissa. It is a celebration of their triumph against the odds.  And, above all, it serves to show how beeralu-lace making has been revived and transformed into a dynamic, modern, creative industry that can provide a sustainable income for generations to come.

Dr Padma Ratnayake, Executive Director of SAPSRI, said: ‘This exhibition has a new direction thanks to the input of the 100 young women who we trained in beeralu-lace making this year. Traditionally, the craft has been practiced by elderly women, but we wanted to ensure the sustainability of the industry by getting the younger generation involved. Their new ideas and creativity is clear to see in the exciting new product range.’

The exhibition and sale will take place at French Street/Il Ponte, Hilton Colombo on 5 December 2009 from 9am to 5pm. The sale will continue at SAPSRI Head Office, 1175/2 Lake Crescent, Kotte Road, Rajagiriya from 6 to 13 December 2009 from 9am to 5pm.