A laundry worker collects dried cloths at a community named Laundrywatte in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

In the old city of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, lies a community called Laundrywatte. As the home of generations of laundry workers, this place has become the last surviving laundry worker community in Colombo.

The laundry industry in Sri Lanka has a history of about 100 years. Workers have been doing this large-scale, centralized laundry for generations. Today, their livelihood is gradually being replaced by washing machines. At present, there are still about 100 families who make a living from laundry.
 

This photo shows a view of a community named Laundrywatte in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

This photo shows a view of a community named Laundrywatte in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

This photo shows a view of a community named Laundrywatte in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

A worker hangs clothes to dry on a laundry line at a community named Laundrywatte in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

This photo shows a view of a community named Laundrywatte in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

A laundry worker works at a community named Laundrywatte in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

A laundry worker works at a community named Laundrywatte in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)