Where every product is a story of survival, strength and hope
View(s):The story of Palms Together is one of resilience, determination and creativity.
In February 2025, a small group of women from Sri Lanka’s North and East began showcasing their work in Colombo under the Sivan Arul label. Today, their efforts have earned international recognition, with the Avery Dennison Foundation (ADF) awarding a major grant in August 2025 to support their journey of empowerment.
Palms Together was launched as a subsidiary of Sivan Arul Hope Guarantee with a single stall at the Good Market in Colombo 7. That first stall, set up by Dr. Mira Varagunam Vasanthan using funds gathered from friends and family, displayed both traditional palmyrah crafts and handloom products made by village women.
Colourful display: Artisans of Palms Together on a tractor at the Nallur Festival
The response was immediate and encouraging.
The group’s visibility quickly grew beyond Colombo. During the Nallur festival in Jaffna, the artisans travelled on a decorated tractor to showcase their products to festival-goers. The colourful display not only caught attention but also gave the women a sense of pride and celebration. For many, it was the first time they had taken their crafts to such a large gathering — and the warm response from festival crowds gave them confidence to continue.
Leaders from across the North and East- many already running small businesses of their own – stepped forward to guide others, sharing their knowledge of markets, costing and design.
Last month, the Avery Dennison Foundation (ADF) in the United States awarded a grant to Palms Together, marking the first time that a global foundation has formally partnered with Sivan Arul Hope.
“This is not just about funding,” says Dr. Mira, the voluntary grant writer and project lead. “It is a recognition that the resilience and skills of women in the North and East matter on an international stage.”
The grant provides not only financial support but creates opportunities for leadership training, market expansion, and product development — ensuring that women artisans can secure livelihoods while preserving their cultural heritage. Importantly, it also means that Palms Together can now expand its presence with more stalls at the Good Market in Colombo, giving customers greater opportunities to discover and support these crafts.
The story of Sivan Arul itself is deeply tied to Sri Lanka’s history of tragedy and recovery. Founded in 2004 in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, Sivan Arul Illam began in Thiruketheeswaram, Mannar, as a home for orphaned and displaced children.
As the war intensified, its mission expanded: running emergency shelters, distributing food and medical aid, caring for vulnerable elders and providing prosthetics and rehabilitation to landmine victims in partnership with the Meththa Foundation. Monthly sponsorships reached more than 1,000 war-affected families, particularly widows and single mothers.
From these beginnings, Sivan Arul grew into a beacon of recovery in the North and East. Established under the stewardship of its founders and trustees, Dr. Jayendran Namasivayam, Manchula Namasivayam, Surendra Sornalingam and Dr. Jeyasingham Jayamohan, their vision laid the foundation for diverse initiatives, from farms and bakeries to community enterprises – and now, Palms Together.
Beyond the statistics and funding, the project’s impact is best seen in the experiences of the women themselves.
At a recent leadership training in Colombo, Sarah Hettiarachchi from Good Market guided the women through bookkeeping and costing. The women value her as a vibrant and energetic supporter who has helped them build their skills and confidence.
In Mannar, leader Kavitha Mohamed produces a wide range of palmyrah crafts — from baskets and trays to tissue boxes. Her products have now reached new audiences, including customers at the Sri Rudram restaurant, where visitors often buy them alongside their meals.
Meanwhile in Trincomalee, Pathminithevy Pavalaraja took the initiative to create special pooja baskets for the Kethara Gowri fasting rituals. For her, it was a way to meet community needs while keeping traditions alive — and at the same time, to generate income for her group.
These stories, shared on Palms Together’s Facebook page, reveal the heartbeat of the project: women finding confidence, building skills, and creating a community of support across ethnic and regional divides.
What makes Sivan Arul Hope distinctive is its governance mode – that the drive behind the projects is rooted entirely in service and community upliftment.
With the Avery Dennison Foundation’s support, the future looks bright. The project plans to develop new product lines, expand into more urban markets, and strengthen the leadership of women artisans so they can guide others in their communities.
As Dr. Mira notes: “Palms Together is not only about crafts. It is about resilience, dignity, and giving women the chance to lead their own futures. With this international recognition, we can dream bigger — and turn those dreams into livelihoods.”
For these women of the North and East, every tray, basket and saree carries a story – of survival, strength and hope. Now, with global partners joining hands, those stories are reaching further than ever before.
Meet the women and see their work at the Good Market stalls every Saturday at Independence Square, Colombo. See also facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579445152125.
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