ABSTRACT
A typical cloth betel bag is usually called Bulath-Payiya in Sinhalese. This used to usually consist of two or more handles. These handles were generally plaited through cords or woven bands. It is important to note these ornate cloth bulath bags are mostly examples from the late Kandyan period (across the last few centuries), by which time Sri Lanka had well-established trading contact with other countries across the neighbouring regions of the Indian Ocean, especially India. Thus, interestingly enough, the weaving pattern of the straw bulath bags bear a close resemblance to many embroidery patterns from various parts of India, spanning medieval and modern Indian historical reflections.
