URGENT APPEAL: Help Kandyan Craftsmen Recover After Cyclone Ditwa

Save the Soul of Kandyan Arts & Crafts- Now Severely Affected by Cyclone Ditwah

For centuries, Kandyan craftsmen have preserved Sri Lanka’s cultural identity through wood carving, metalwork, lacquerware, and the UNESCO-recognised art of Dumbara weaving. These crafts are not only heritage, but they are livelihoods passed down through generations.

In December 2025, this living heritage was dealt a devastating blow.

Cyclone Ditwahh severely impacted Kandy, one of the worst-affected districts in Sri Lanka. Heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides destroyed homes and home-based artisan workshops, washing away tools, raw materials, and finished products. Many craftsmen lost everything overnight; months of work were buried in mud and floodwaters.

Road damage and blocked access to rural areas such as Geli Oya and Ududumbara and surrounding craft communities have cut artisans off from markets and supplies. At the same time, the cyclone struck during the peak tourist season, bringing tourism to a halt and eliminating a major source of income for Kandyan crafts.

These craftsmen were already struggling due to rising raw-material costs and limited market access. Cyclone Ditwah has pushed many families to the brink of abandoning their craft entirely. If this happens, centuries of irreplaceable knowledge may be lost forever.

Your Support Matters!

How Your Support Makes a Difference

Your contribution will help:

·        Replace essential tools and raw materials lost in the cyclone

·        Support artisan families who have lost their only source of income

·        Help craftsmen recover and rebuild their livelihoods

·        Sustain Kandyan arts by connecting artisans to fair and global markets

This appeal is not just about recovery from a disaster; it is about protecting a living heritage and the people who keep it alive.

By supporting this campaign, you are helping Kandyan craftsmen recover after Cyclone Ditwah and ensuring their traditions continue for future generations.

Please help us rebuild lives, livelihoods, and heritage.

Why This Project Matters

For centuries, Kandyan craftsmen have preserved Sri Lanka’s cultural identity through wood carving, metalwork, lacquerware, and the UNESCO-recognised art of Dumbara weaving. Even before Cyclone Ditwah, rising costs, economic hardship, and limited market access were forcing many artisans to abandon their craft.

Our project was created to address this long-standing challenge by connecting Kandyan craftsmen directly with global markets, ensuring fair prices and sustainable livelihoods. After Cyclone Ditwahh, this mission has become even more urgent, not only to rebuild what was lost, but to protect a living heritage from disappearing forever.

Join us to protect the living heritage of Kandy before it disappear