"The number of this socially vulnerable group including widows in the North and East was 49.000 in 2002 but increased to 82,000 in 2009," a ministry statement said.
"The initiative plans to support a portion of the female headed households in the north-east provinces with livelihood support while assisting towards their responsibility of looking after the needs of nurturing their families."
The project will be implemented through existing weaving centres in the districts of Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullathivu, Killinochchi, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa and Ampara.
Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiutheen said a 'Cross Functional' special division is to be formed to fast-track the ˜Sri Lan