A Journey Woven with Purpose

From a humble handloom workshop to a community of more than one thousand artisans producing beautiful Sri Lankan woven handicrafts which are sold across the globe. Selyn’s vision has always been clear – empowering women, preserving traditional craft and creating opportunities where none existed.

Where it all began

In 1991, founder Sandra Wandruragala began Selyn with one weaver, a loom and a vision to uplift rural women through dignified work. Their workshop in Kurunegala (northwest of Kandy) was small and simple, resources were few and the challenges were many in those early days. But their strength of purpose carried them through, with every woven product carrying the story of women reclaiming their independence, families building stability and a craft finding its pride once more.

Sandra says “Selyn was not built overnight; it was woven, patiently and purposefully, by women whose hands held both skill and courage. That foundation remains our greatest strength.”

One Community At A Time

From a handful of women in one village, the Selyn community expanded across the North Western and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, creating one of the country’s most inclusive and resilient women-led value chains.

Production was scaled, always with a focus on sustainability and environment – building dye plants, strengthening infrastructure and a supportive structure to ensure growth kept the Selyn values at their heart. “Every new workshop brings with it an expansion of opportunity, dignity and independence for the artisans”, says Sandra. Today their teams across the country produce garments, home textiles, toys and handicrafts.

Uplifting Women’s Lives

To Sandra and the Selyn team, empowerment means providing rural artisans, particularly women, with the choice to create a better life for herself and her family. It is not enough to simply create jobs and financial stability, their goal is to create an environment where they will truly thrive. Selyn provides continuous training to learn skills far beyond weaving – they provide life skills programmes, leadership training and access to child care facilities and health camps.

This holistic approach also includes fair trade wages, flexible work models and safe production spaces. Selyn is Sri Lanka’s only Fair Trade- certified handicrafts companies, and one of the country’s largest social enterprises.

One To One Thousand

Today, Selyn employs more than 1,000 artisans, 85% of whom are women. Many are mothers, grandmothers and daughters carrying forward a craft which shapes livelihoods as much as it shapes fabric.

As global consumers and businesses began to seek out ethically produced products with a transparent and sustainable approach, Sandra realised Selyn had a story worth sharing with the wider world. Representing Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, colour and spirit through their fabrics and handicrafts, Selyn goods are now sold in more than 20 countries across the globe, from Europe to Asia to North America.

Partnering with ethical retailers, global toy brands and humanitarian supply chains, they have remained true to their Fair Trade values and low-impact production ethos. International press has taken notice, from Forbes Asia to the British Fashion Council, Sandra proudly says “this is affirmation that our local craft has a global voice”.

Innovation Rooted In Tradition

Looking to the future, Selyn is taking heritage crafts passed down hand to hand through generations and integrating modern technology and innovations across their business. Improved sustainable dyeing techniques are one such example, as well as finding new ways to generate income through corporate partnerships and homeware.

“We innovate, but we never forget our roots”, says Sandra, “Our creativity is inspired by the women who continue to weave stories into every fabric, and by a world that is constantly evolving. Above all, we are overwhelmingly grateful for the women who trusted us, the communities that grew with us and the customers who carry our colours into their homes and lives.”

Editor’s note: At TFG we encourage travellers to visit Selyn during their travels, to meet the women behind the craft, witness how every colour and thread comes to life and hear the rhythm of the looms.

Founder Sandra Wanduragala originally worked as an attorney at law, before founding Selyn in 1991. Beginning as a small initiative from her garage and a handful of village women in Kurunegala, Selyn has become one of Sri Lanka’s most inspiring community-uplifting businesses, creating Fair Trade handicrafts, fabrics and homewares. She works alongside her brother Hilary and daughter Selyna, after whom the company was named.