Sooriya Weaving Mills
Sooriya Weaving Mills
Hand-weaving workshop founded in 1976, 7 km from Galle, Sooriya Weaving Mills employs over 40 women and preserves traditional Sri Lankan dyeing techniques.
Sooriya Weaving Mills is an artisanal textile factory producing hand-woven fabrics located in Walahanduwa, 7 km from Galle. Founded in 1976, it perpetuates traditional weaving and dyeing expertise on manual looms and today employs over 40 women, many of whom live in surrounding villages.
Why visit Sooriya Weaving Mills
The appeal of this visit is twofold. On one hand, you observe a working workshop where weaving still happens on manual looms and where thread dyeing follows traditional techniques, now rare in Sri Lanka. On the other, you grasp the project's social dimension: the factory prioritizes hiring older women or those with disabilities, who would otherwise lack easy access to regular income.
The factory is also a worthwhile stop if you're looking to take home cotton textiles (shawls, linens, covers, souvenirs) directly from the workshop, with no middleman. It's one of the few structures in the country's south to combine production, training, and sales on a single site.
A family story that began in 1976
The workshop was founded in 1976 by Mr. and Mrs. Sooriyaarachchi. The name "Sooriya" means "Sun" in Sinhala, and the project was born from a desire to revive traditional Sri Lankan weaving at a time when the sector was declining in the face of industrial textiles.
The enterprise is today directed by Mrs. Sooriyaarachchi and her son, Mr. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi. It presents itself as the largest manual loom factory in the Southern Province and houses one of the last traditional dyeing units still operating in the country. 100% cotton remains the reference material, processed on-site from thread dyeing through final weaving.
As for the team, over 40 women work there; some have been with the workshop for decades, some since its inception. The factory emphasizes the employment of older women and women with disabilities, without other steady income, with both professional and personal support.
What to see and do on-site
Workshop tour
You walk through the different workstations: thread preparation and dyeing, warp setting, weaving on manual looms, finishing touches. The craftswomen gladly explain the steps and patterns being produced. Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour for a leisurely visit.
Participatory workshop
The factory offers an activity "You can make your own products with us": you sit at a loom under the supervision of a weaver to create a personalized towel. It's a hands-on approach to the craft, best enjoyed if you're traveling with family or have a keen interest in textiles.
Factory shop
The attached outlet sells in-house production: shawls, tablecloths, table and bath towels, rugs, dishcloths, bed linens, cushion covers, deck chair covers, as well as small souvenirs. Since pieces are hand-woven, patterns and colors vary from one series to the next.
Practical information
- Address: Panagamuwa, Wanchawela, Galle 80120.
- Hours: open during daytime, Monday to Saturday generally. Verify on the day itself by phone, especially for the participatory workshop.
- Visit duration: 30 min to 1 h for a simple tour, 1 h 30 to 2 h if you participate in a weaving workshop.
- Prices: affordable workshop entry; modest extra charge for the participatory session; shop purchases vary by piece.
- What to bring: light clothing (the workshop is not air-conditioned), cash useful for the shop.
How to get there from Galle
Walahanduwa is about 7 km northeast of Galle town center, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by road under normal conditions.
- By tuk-tuk: the simplest option from Galle Fort or the railway station. Negotiate a round-trip rate including wait time on-site.
- By taxi or ride-hailing: apps like PickMe operate in the Galle area.
- By private car with driver: often included as part of a circuit around Galle, complementing other stops along the south coast.
Nearby attractions
The workshop fits naturally into a day dedicated to Galle and its surroundings. Heading back toward Colombo, the trading district of Pettah offers a very different glimpse into Sri Lankan textile commerce. If you continue inland, the Millennium Elephant Foundation in Kegalle complements the socially conscious dimension of your trip. Landscape enthusiasts can extend toward Little Adam's Peak and the Ravana Falls, in the Ella region.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
A simple workshop tour generally doesn't require a reservation. For the participatory weaving session, it's best to give advance notice, especially if you're coming as a group or with family.
Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour for the tour and shop visit. If you weave your own towel, plan 1 h 30 to 2 h in total.
Yes. The participatory workshop is enjoyed by children from age 7-8 onward, who can operate the loom under the watchful eye of an experienced weaver.
The shop sells in-house production in 100% cotton: shawls, tablecloths, towels, rugs, dishcloths, bed linens, cushion covers, deck chair covers, as well as souvenirs. Since pieces are hand-woven, each series varies slightly.
Yes, textile production runs continuously. Simply avoid Buddhist public holidays (Poya) when the workshop may be closed.
Organize your trip to Sri Lanka
A stop at Sooriya Weaving Mills fits naturally into an itinerary combining south coast, colonial heritage, and highlands. To build a circuit that includes this artisanal stop and other highlights of the island, consult our tailor-made Sri Lanka trips.
Interested in this visit?
We can include it in your personalised itinerary.
