The story of Sujatha Dissanayaka & Siriliya Pan Products Women’s society

The story of Sujatha Dissanayaka & Siriliya Pan Products Women’s society

 

Dahamigama, is a charming rural village nestled in the Hingurakgoda area in the Polonnaruwa District. As you approach the village, the journey takes you past expansive paddy fields, with lush green hues contrasting beautifully with the clear blue sky.

The weather there is dry and hot, typical of the region. Along the way, we encountered fresh water tanks, their cool and calm surfaces providing a refreshing contrast to the heat and canals flowing through the landscape, feeding water to the fields.  The rhythmic sounds of nature, and the distant chirps of birds created a soothing backdrop to the daily life of the villagers.

Sujatha Dissanayaka had always been a strong and determined woman in Dahamigama, where life was not always easy. Despite the challenges of village life, her passion for weaving transformed not only her own life but also the lives of many women in her community.

Sujatha had always been drawn to the art of weaving, thus in 2018, she attended a reed weaving training programme organized by Shilpa Sabhawa, a government initiative which eventually was the turning point for Sujatha. After completing the training, Sujatha started weaving on her own. She made beautiful reed products including bags, hats, mats, and boxes which she sold to her neighbours and friends. She had a bigger dream – she wanted to share her knowledge and skills with other women in her village. Sujatha gathered a few women from her neighborhood and trained them in the art of reed weaving.

In 2021, they decided to come together and form a team. Despite the absence of a direct market and a dedicated workspace at the beginning, Sujatha and her team never put their effort aside, instead they continued weaving while trying to look for a good market. At that time their main buyers were their own villagers. With their dedication, from a small team of five, they have now grown to 15 members.

When FAIRMED, identified the potential of Siriliya Pan Products Society and stepped into intervene, they were supported to obtain a training on reed product designs. This training was a milestone for the group. In their own words, “that’s when their products went beyond the boundaries of the village”. After the training, they got a reputation from outside buyers and started getting bulk orders. In addition to the training, Sujatha and her team was able to build a small shop where they could work together for 2-3 days a week. Also, they received a machine to flatten reeds with the support of FAIRMED. This increased their efficiency, allowing them to weave more products in less time and enhancing the beauty and quality of their work. 

Despite being mothers and managing household chores and childcare, the women in this team shows a limitless enthusiasm and courage in their work, proving that nothing can hold them back. The income from selling their reed products provides significant financial support for their families in this economic struggle. Their success is also supported by their husbands, who help to strengthen their efforts. The women of the Siriliya Pan Products Society are proud of their achievements and are eager to keep growing. Their story shows the power of a community, determination, and the importance of sharing knowledge and skills.