A Movement of Opportunity and Equity
A Movement of Opportunity and Equity
Across Sri Lanka, thousands of families depend on traditional crafts:
Across Sri Lanka, thousands of families depend on traditional crafts:
Pottery
Pottery
Pottery
In Kurunegala
Weaving
Weaving
Weaving
In Kurunegala
Basketry
Basketry
Basketry
In GALLE
Carpentry
Carpentry
Carpentry
In Kandy
Stitiching
Stitiching
Stitiching
In Batticaloa
Yet these artisans face steep barriers — distance, aging, lack of transport, and limited access to finance or buyers.
Yet these artisans face steep barriers — distance, aging, lack of transport, and limited access to finance or buyers.
Yet these artisans face steep barriers — distance, aging, lack of transport, and limited access to finance or buyers.
Yet these artisans face steep barriers — distance, aging, lack of transport, and limited access to finance or buyers.
Lady J Community Connect was created to bridge this divide through a model that combines commerce with compassion.
Lady J Community Connect was created to bridge this divide through a model that combines commerce with compassion.
We work with industry pioneers and national stakeholders — including the National Craft Council, craft clusters, cooperatives, and regional development partners — to build an ecosystem where creativity, livelihood, and wellbeing thrive together.
We work with industry pioneers and national stakeholders — including the National Craft Council, craft clusters, cooperatives, and regional development partners — to build an ecosystem where creativity, livelihood, and wellbeing thrive together.
Vision
To build resilient rural communities by integrating economic, educational, health, cultural, and spiritual development within one holistic value chain.
To build resilient rural communities by integrating economic, educational, health, cultural, and spiritual development within one holistic value chain.
To build resilient rural communities by integrating economic, educational, health, cultural, and spiritual development within one holistic value chain.
To build resilient rural communities by integrating economic, educational, health, cultural, and spiritual development within one holistic value chain.
Mission
To create opportunities and grow communities by enabling artisans and micro-entrepreneurs to access training, finance, fair markets, and recognition.
To create opportunities and grow communities by enabling artisans and micro-entrepreneurs to access training, finance, fair markets, and recognition.
To create opportunities and grow communities by enabling artisans and micro-entrepreneurs to access training, finance, fair markets, and recognition.
To create opportunities and grow communities by enabling artisans and micro-entrepreneurs to access training, finance, fair markets, and recognition.
Meet the
Community Connect team
Meet the
Community Connect team
Anneli Wijerathne
Creative Development Lead
As the third-generation representative of Lady J, Sri Lanka’s largest homeware retailer, Anneli brings youthful creativity and purpose to Community Connect — Lady J’s initiative empowering rural artisans. At 17, she leads product concepts, storytelling, and sustainable design ideas that bridge Sri Lanka’s craft heritage with modern retail.
As the third-generation representative of Lady J, Sri Lanka’s largest homeware retailer, Anneli brings youthful creativity and purpose to Community Connect — Lady J’s initiative empowering rural artisans. At 17, she leads product concepts, storytelling, and sustainable design ideas that bridge Sri Lanka’s craft heritage with modern retail.
Suranjith Hemarathne
Suranjith Hemarathne
Manager – Supply Chain DevelopmenT
Suranjith leads Lady J’s supply chain development, personally visiting suppliers with his team to oversee product development, financial coordination, and logistics. He ensures smooth end-to-end operations by integrating sourcing, supply chain management, and overall coordination across departments.
Suranjith leads Lady J’s supply chain development, personally visiting suppliers with his team to oversee product development, financial coordination, and logistics. He ensures smooth end-to-end operations by integrating sourcing, supply chain management, and overall coordination across departments.
