“Rhapsody of Colours” Showcases a Fusion of Sri Lankan and Turkish Textile Heritage

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara, in collaboration with Olgunlaşma Enstitüleri Ankara, Turkish Airlines, Ms. Suhal Erol of ZES and Ms. Angela Bregu of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye successfully concluded two spectacular fashion events under the theme “Rhapsody of Colours | Renklerin Rapsodisi”, celebrating the vibrant fusion of Sri Lankan and Turkish textile traditions and contemporary design.

The event was aimed as a way to highlight the colourful handlooms of Sri Lanka, and at the same time highlighting the creativity of Sri Lankan artisans and SMEs among the Turkish public as well as foreigners based in Ankara, including diplomats.

The first fashion show was held on Saturday, 31 May 2025, at the Residence of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Ankara, and was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Turkish government officials and fashion enthusiasts. In a powerful gesture of cross-cultural solidarity, the Ambassadors of South Africa, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Bangladesh, along with the spouses of many Ambassadors modelled, wearing unique garments that blended heritage and innovation.

The second fashion show took place on Wednesday, 4 June 2025, in the Musa Göçmen Senfoni Orkestrası Konser Salonu, Çayyolu, Ankara, drawing a diverse audience of art enthusiasts, designers, and members of Turkish communities as well as members of the Association of spouses of Turkish diplomats in Ankara and the  Spouses Association of Foreign Ambassadors in Ankara.

A highlight of the event was the featured collection by renowned Sri Lankan fashion designer Dhammika Amarasekara, a celebrated figure with over 30 years of experience and more than 35 fashion showcases to her credit and the talent behind the designer wear label “Dhamique”. Her ability to blend timeless elegance with modern a1esthetics is remarkable. Her 2018 showcase in Viet Nam—spearheaded by Ambassador Hasanthi Dissanayake—demonstrated her vibrant use of Sri Lankan handloom in a celebration of cultural collaboration and sustainable fashion. Her Ankara  collection continued this theme, combining intricate handloom work with sleek, structured design.

The collection of the sarees draped in Kandyan style and jewellery worn by the models were curated by Ambassador Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake, whose creative direction contributed greatly to the visual richness and cultural authenticity of the presentation. Highlight of the saree collection as the 03 bridal attires depicting Sinhalese and Tamil brides.

In her remarks, Ambassador Dissanayake highlighted Sri Lanka’s deeply rooted textile heritage by featuring techniques such as Batik – the wax-resist dye method known for its vivid, freehand patterns, adapted from Indonesian traditions, yet evolved into a unique Sri Lankan craft, Beeralu or Pillow Lace – intricate bobbin-lace work introduced during Portuguese rule in Sri Lanka,  also adopting to local settings, Dumbara Weaving – a geometric mat-weaving style from the central highlands, historically reserved for royalty and now re-imagined in fashion and interior design and ofcourse with Sri Lankan handloom fabrics – garments made from naturally dyed cotton, silk, and rayon and a mix of threads, representing the sustainable artistry of weaving communities, spread out in all Procvinces of Sri alank with their own subtle differences.

At the show on 4^th June held in Çayyolu, Ambassador Dissanayake was joined by Ambassador Iskender Okyay, the first Turkish Ambassador to Sri Lanka, in compering the programme to the mostly Turkish audience. Videos showcasing Sri Lanka’s handloom industry, batik, beeralu and Dumbara weaving were screened at the event.

By blending these traditional Sri Lankan crafts with Turkish design, the fashion shows became a vibrant platform for cross-cultural exchange, artistic expression, and bilateral friendship.