Palmyra Handicraft Training Centre in Mannar

A Palmyra handicraft training centre by ILO was opened on 2 nd March 2006 in Pallamadhu, Mannar district. Since in the recent past, there has been a drastic reduction in the usage of palmyra leaves, this meant that there was abundant supply that could be made use in the production of handicrafts.

The almost extinct trade of producing handicrafts from Palmyra leaves has reduced considerably due to the lack of local market attraction, planned ignorance by the government and lack of interest by the local government. The skill of producing these handicrafts is one of the many ancient skills of the people of North-East, and is highly popular among the females.

At this centre, trainees will learn to make decorative items, as well as other accessories. The training will uplift their economy and provide an opportunity to start their own businesses. Trainees can produce attractive handicraft that can be sold to foreigners who visit the North-East

The Sri Lankan armed forces have been accused of indiscriminately destroying forests in the north and east either in military operations, where the use of multi-baralleled rocket launchers decimated several forests, or cutting down trees to build bunkers and illegal logging activities.

Military officers have been accused of supplying the lucrative trade in palmyrah and coconut timber, valued across the island for making rafters.

Civil groups have complained in the past that the environmental balance of the peninsula could be affected seriously as the Palmyrah is central to its ecology.