IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i15p9439-d877909.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Sustainable Textiles in the Past “Wisdom of the Past: Inherited Weaving Techniques Are the Pillars of Sustainability in the Handloom Textile Sector of Sri Lanka”

Author

Listed:
  • Hafeezullah Memon

    (College of Textile Science and Engineering, International Institute of Silk, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China)

  • Gayathri Madubhani Ranathunga

    (Fashion Design & Product Development Degree Course, Department of Textile & Apparel Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa 10400, Sri Lanka)

  • Virajini Medagedara Karunaratne

    (Fashion Design & Product Development Degree Course, Department of Textile & Apparel Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa 10400, Sri Lanka)

  • Samudrika Wijayapala

    (Department of Textile & Apparel Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa 10400, Sri Lanka)

  • Nilhan Niles

    (Department of Textile & Apparel Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa 10400, Sri Lanka)

Abstract

The paper aims to identify characteristics of the driving force of the domestic handloom textile industry of Sri Lanka. A qualitative data analysis methodology was chosen for the research. Data were gathered from observational studies and semi-structured interviews. The observational study was carried out in museum collections, scholarly written books, and research journal articles. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with weavers, designers, technical instructors, and administrative officers. Data were analyzed according to observational study, coding, and concept development. Identified characteristics are interlinked with inherited craft knowledge, Buddhist culture, and the networks of people who live and work in a particular industrial society. The industry is developed through hands-on experience and prolonged engagement, where human resources are the key factor. The research scrutinized seven concepts related to the sustainable survival of the weaving structures. Learning is the direct enforcer. The infrastructure is supplied by the Textile Department. The research suggests recognition of a consistent infrastructure supply chain as national policy. The paper recommends to policymakers with the factors found to connect culture with an active action plan.

Suggested Citation

  • Hafeezullah Memon & Gayathri Madubhani Ranathunga & Virajini Medagedara Karunaratne & Samudrika Wijayapala & Nilhan Niles, 2022. "Sustainable Textiles in the Past “Wisdom of the Past: Inherited Weaving Techniques Are the Pillars of Sustainability in the Handloom Textile Sector of Sri Lanka”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-29, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:15:p:9439-:d:877909
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/15/9439/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/15/9439/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Niki Derlukiewicz & Anna Mempel-Śnieżyk & Dominika Mankowska & Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Stanisław Minta & Tomasz Pilawka, 2020. "How do Clusters Foster Sustainable Development? An Analysis of EU Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Catalin M. Stancu & Alice Grønhøj & Liisa Lähteenmäki, 2020. "Meanings and Motives for Consumers’ Sustainable Actions in the Food and Clothing Domains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-25, December.
    3. Longyu Shi & Linwei Han & Fengmei Yang & Lijie Gao, 2019. "The Evolution of Sustainable Development Theory: Types, Goals, and Research Prospects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Harvey, Charles & Press, Jon & Maclean, Mairi, 2011. "William Morris, Cultural Leadership, and the Dynamics of Taste," Business History Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 85(2), pages 245-271, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Sunil Tiwari & Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka & Dimpal Bharali & Sunildro L. S. Akoijam & Binoy T.A., 2023. "Demystifying the Sustainable Competitive Advantage of Sualkuchi Silk Products: Perspectives of Buyers and Sellers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-21, January.
    2. Hye Won Lee, 2023. "Development of Sustainable Creative Three-Dimensional Virtual Woven Textiles Using Clothing Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Fayssal Ayad & Ahlam Delmadji, 2025. "Fifty shades of sustainable development: a global study," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(7), pages 16739-16771, July.
    2. Junuguru Srinivas & Naveen Kolloju & Akanksha Singh & Siriman Naveen & Sudhaveni Naresh, 2024. "The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals-2030," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 15485-15498, December.
    3. Jan K. Kazak & Joanna A. Kamińska & Rafał Madej & Marta Bochenkiewicz, 2020. "Where Renewable Energy Sources Funds are Invested? Spatial Analysis of Energy Production Potential and Public Support," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-26, October.
    4. Michalski, Tino, 2025. "Innovatives Business Development und Corporate Start-ups in nachhaltigen High Tech und High Service Clustern," Working Paper Series 35, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Business and Law.
    5. Walter Leal Filho & João Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio & Lucas Veiga Ávila & Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis & Paula M. Hernandez‐Diaz & Karina Batista & Bruno Borsari & Ismaila Rimi Abubakar, 2025. "Enhancing the contribution of higher education institutions to sustainable development research: A focus on post‐2015 SDGs," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 1745-1757, April.
    6. Yang, Xiaoxi & Zhang, Dansha & Masron, Tajul Ariffin, 2024. "The impact of smart city construction on achieving peak carbon neutrality: Evidence from 31 provinces in China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    7. Xiaowei Ni & Yongbo Quan, 2023. "Measuring the Sustainable Development of Marine Economy Based on the Entropy Value Method: A Case Study in the Yangtze River Delta, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    8. Jerin Jacob, 2025. "A Background History of the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(3), pages 3747-3759, June.
    9. Freddy Marín-González & Sharmila Rani Moganadas & Ana Judith Paredes-Chacín & Sook Fern Yeo & Subhacini Subramaniam, 2022. "Sustainable Local Development: Consolidated Framework for Cross-Sectoral Cooperation via a Systematic Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-33, May.
    10. Rita Vasconcellos Oliveira, 2021. "Social Innovation for a Just Sustainable Development: Integrating the Wellbeing of Future People," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-12, August.
    11. Huang, Ruilei & Wei, Jiuchang, 2023. "Does CEOs’ green experience affect environmental corporate social responsibility? Evidence from China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 205-231.
    12. Xiaohua Yu & Yuan Qi & Longzhen Yu & Yuanyuan He, 2022. "Temporal and Spatial Evolution of Coupling Coordination Degree of Industrial Innovation Ecosystem—From the Perspective of Green Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
    13. Zlati, Monica Laura & Antohi, Valentin-Marian & Ionescu, Romeo-Victor & Iticescu, Catalina & Georgescu, Lucian Puiu, 2024. "Quantyfing the impact of the water security index on socio-economic development in EU27," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    14. Sergej Lisowski & Markus Berger & Justus Caspers & Klaus Mayr-Rauch & Georg Bäuml & Matthias Finkbeiner, 2020. "Criteria-Based Approach to Select Relevant Environmental SDG Indicators for the Automobile Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-22, October.
    15. Kamguia, Brice & Tadadjeu, Sosson & Ndoya, Hermann & Djeunankan, Ronald, 2025. "Assessing the nexus between industrialization and inclusive green growth in Africa. The critical role of energy efficiency," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    16. Svetlana Demidova & Michael Balog & Tatiana Chircova & Anastasia Kulachinskaya & Svetlana Zueva & Irina Akhmetova & Svetlana Ilyashenko, 2021. "Development of Methodology and Assessment of Ecological Safety of the EAEU and CIS Regions in the Context of Sustainable Development," Economies, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-20, July.
    17. M. Isabel Sánchez-Hernández & Juan José Maldonado-Briegas, 2023. "The EntreComp Framework in Practice: A Case Study Linking Employability, Entrepreneurship, and Regional Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-20, August.
    18. Luo, Shunjun & Mabrouk, Fatma, 2022. "Nexus between natural resources, globalization and ecological sustainability in resource-rich countries: Dynamic role of green technology and environmental regulation," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    19. Liu, Li & Yu, Deng, 2023. "Does volatility in natural resources commodity prices and economic performance matter for RCEP economies?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    20. Katarzyna Piwowar-Sulej, 2022. "Sustainable development and national cultures: a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the research field," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(12), pages 13447-13475, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:15:p:9439-:d:877909. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.