Selyn is a Sri Lankan textile company based in Kurunegala, in the centre of the island. Founded in 1991, it now brings together nearly a thousand weavers spread across several rural villages. It is one of the first structures in the country to have obtained fair trade certification. A visit to the workshops and shop is a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in Sri Lankan textile craftsmanship and its social organisation.

Why visit Selyn

Selyn allows you to observe firsthand an entirely manual textile production chain, from cotton thread to finished product. Three main reasons motivate a stop:

• Watch traditional looms in action, manipulated by artisans trained on-site.
• Understand the model of a fair trade certified company, with its concrete support mechanisms for workers (training, health coverage, interest-free loans, housing assistance).
• Buy directly from the source hand-woven textiles: home linens, clothing, accessories, fabric toys, in distinctive bright colours.

The site lends itself to a short visit (allow 1 to 1.5 hours) and complements an itinerary well between Colombo and the cultural triangle.

History of Selyn

The company was founded in 1991 by Sandra Wanduragala in her native village of Wanduragala. It started with 15 women from the village, around a simple project: generating stable income for women in rural areas by valuing hand weaving. Her brother Hilary Wanduragala joined her shortly after to structure the business.

The network gradually expanded to several villages and now brings together nearly 1,000 members. Selyn became one of the first Sri Lankan companies to obtain fair trade certification and established export partnerships. After the 2004 tsunami, the company contributed to rebuilding homes for affected weavers. Its founder was subsequently recognised as an entrepreneur at the Asia-Pacific level.

Convinced of the role of education, she also created an international private school in Kurunegala, The Royal International School, which now educates several thousand primary and secondary students.

What to see on site

The weaving workshops

Weaving is carried out entirely by hand using cotton thread, dyed on-site before being worked on traditional looms. Visitors can observe the different stages: thread preparation, dyeing, loom setup, weaving, finishing. The geometric patterns in bright colours form the recognisable visual identity of Selyn's productions.

The dyeing workshop and garden

The dyeing workshop develops a wide palette of shades. Wastewater from the process is treated and then reused to maintain a garden adjacent to Kurunegala, a concrete illustration of the company's environmental commitment.

The shop

The shop presents the full range of production: home linens, decorative items, clothing, accessories, fabric toys. It is an opportunity to buy directly from the producers, with no middlemen.

Selyn's social model

Selyn promotes work-from-home, particularly suited to rural areas where travel is difficult. This arrangement allows artisans to balance economic activity, family life and agricultural work. The company provides sewing machines and looms, and supports training in design, marketing and production techniques.

Several mechanisms complement this model:

• Interest-free loans
• Health coverage and accident insurance
• Annual bonuses
• Housing assistance

Some artisans subsequently develop their own workshop in partnership with Selyn.

Practical information

• Address: No. 113/1, South Circular Road, Kurunegala
• Location: Wanduragala village, Kurunegala district, centre of Sri Lanka
• Visit duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Type of visit: workshops and shop; it is preferable to notify in advance for a guided tour
• Fee: free general visit; shop purchases depending on items

How to get there

Kurunegala is approximately two hours' drive from Colombo, on the main road leading to the cultural triangle (Dambulla, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura). Several options are available:

• Private car with driver: the simplest option from Colombo or Negombo, approximately 2 hours.
• By train: Kurunegala is served by the north line, with the station located near the city centre.
• By bus: numerous buses from Colombo Pettah and towns in the cultural triangle.

From the centre of Kurunegala, a tuk-tuk makes it easy to reach Selyn's headquarters.

What to see nearby

A visit to Selyn fits well into an exploration of the Kurunegala district and the centre of the island:

• Nalanda Gedige: a small ancient temple north of Kurunegala, on the road to Dambulla.
• Millennium Elephant Foundation: a centre dedicated to elephants, accessible on the way to Kandy.
• Pidurangala: a rock offering a viewpoint over Sigiriya, a classic stop on the cultural triangle route.
• Pettah: Colombo's trading quarter, complementary for understanding textile distribution circuits.

Frequently asked questions

Incorporating Selyn into your trip

A stop at Selyn fits naturally into an itinerary between Colombo and the centre of the island. To build a tailor-made trip including this artisanal stop and the cultural triangle sites, consult our Sri Lanka trips.