Tea
Ceylon tea is the pride of the island. Sri Lanka changed its name in 1972 but the name Ceylon was kept as a guarantee of quality. It is an integral part of the Sri Lankan culture, the inhabitants drink it most often with milk but not too sweet. You will find it everywhere, packaged in bags or in bulk, but be careful about the quality proposed. This varies according to the altitude at which the tea is grown; low-grown is tea that grows below 600 meters, medium-grown from 600 to 1,300 meters, and high-grown, which represents the best quality, whose tea bushes are grown above 1,300 meters. Just like wine, it is also classified into vintages according to their region (Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, etc.). The island produces mainly black tea. The Orange Pekoe variety, a rich tea with sweet citrus notes, is the most sought after. Some green teas are also available as well as white tea. Delicate and quite expensive, this last one is the one whose fresh leaf is the least processed. We strongly recommend a visit to a tea factory and its plantations to learn more and, why not, buy some on the spot. The tastings organized at the end of the visit will allow you to choose your tea according to your preferences.
Precious stones
Sri Lanka is known as the "sapphire capital of the world". In addition to the famous blue sapphires, other gems such as ruby, tourmaline, quartz, topaz and amethyst are also found here... Ratnapura, which literally translates as "City of Precious Stones", is where gemstone mining is concentrated. This industry has developed strongly on the island, and you'll find quality craftsmen everywhere. They offer original jewelry or custom-made pieces in just a few days. Stones can be set in gold, silver or platinum. Beware of the quality of the stones, and don't be tempted by the "golden opportunity" offered by a salesman on the sly... Specialized boutiques or artisans with a street address are highly recommended, the most reputable being in Colombo, Kandy and Galle. They often offer to show you around their workshops, so you can admire their precision work. If in doubt, don't hesitate to contact the National Gem & Jewellery Authority in Sri Lanka (✆ +94 112 390 645, www.ngja.gov.lk/en/), located at 25 Galle Face Terrace in Colombo 3, for information on buying gems and jewelry, including in production areas.
Antiques
It is forbidden to bring back or export objects older than 50 years. If you have the opportunity to do so, contact the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka ( ✆ +94 112 692 840), located at Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha in Colombo 7. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm.
Traditional masks
Woodcarvers who carve masks for the Kolam (traditional folk theater) attract the curious to Ambalangoda. The Kolam Maduwa (Kolam dance), is connected to the tradition of the Sanni Yakuma, a traditional exorcist ritual of the island. At nightfall, the dancers put on huge masks that represent gods and demons. The dexterity of their work is remarkable: in a few hours, they make the head of a demon with grimacing features emerge from a piece of wood. An excellent idea to enrich the decoration of your home. The making of elephants and small Buddha statues has also become one of their specialties. The best work is not necessarily found in tourist stores. You will find it locally of course, in the small local craft stores in the towns, in the various Laksala (state store) signs scattered around the island, and in the Lakmedura and Lakapahana stores in Colombo.
Wooden furniture
Thanks to its numerous forests, Sri Lanka is home to a wide range of precious woods and rare species. The island's cabinetmakers have an amazing traditional skill. Just outside of Kataragama, in the direction of Tissamaharama, you can find wooden furniture very original and at local prices, although a bit high for the locals. The work done is all the more impressive as it respects the natural shape of the wood. Whatever piece you choose, take it with you and avoid having it sent to you, as there are often unpleasant surprises (excessive shipping costs, damaged pieces, etc.). Elsewhere, some people work with lacquer with the same skill, especially in the Kandy region.
Pottery and basketry
The craft of traditional pottery is also present everywhere. Most of the objects are made of clay. As for basketry, the braiding of mats is a delight for sellers in the many markets of the southwest coast, especially in Bentota.
Batiks
The Sri Lankan batiks are inspired by the superb Javanese batiks that the Dutch brought back from their colonies. These are colorful fabrics made by hand with ancestral printing techniques and whose realization requires great agility, and especially a lot of patience. The motifs represent elephants, animals, dancers, scenes of life, flowers, geometric shapes... To make a batik, you must first draw the motif on the fabric, then dip it in a dye bath corresponding to a desired color, coat it with wax to preserve the color, then dip it in boiling water to remove the wax. The whole process must be repeated for the next color, and so on... It takes a lot of work until the piece is finished! A true art. Batiks are a colorful and cheerful decorative element in a living room or a bedroom, a souvenir that will remind you of your wonderful stay in the island. You will find them everywhere, it is a tradition that is perpetuated in Sri Lanka. Beware however, some stores offer copies of batiks, industrially made ... You will quickly realize the gulf of quality that separates them from the pieces made by hand!
Fabrics, clothing
Sri Lankan fabrics are not limited to batiks. The unavoidable sarong is declined in many ways. It is a single piece of fabric worn from the waist to the feet, the ideal accessory for the beach. The prettiest ones use natural color pigments. The more adventurous among you can opt for a sari, a traditional women's garment. You will also find many souvenir T-shirts "for tourists" with elephants, the name of the island, the city, etc.
Ayurvedic products
Balms, especially Siddhalepa, the local equivalent of Tiger Balm, but also cosmetics and essential oils derived from Ayurvedic medicine can be great gifts for your loved ones... or for yourself! Ayurveda is an ancient Indian traditional medicine, drawing its roots in the foundations of Hinduism. The word ayur means "life" and veda "science of knowledge". This implies that everything related to Ayurveda is related to the knowledge of life and the art of living well. It is a holistic, gentle and intuitive medicine, which integrates all aspects of human life, from the most abstract (energies, the relationship with the universe) to the most concrete (the functioning of the human body and its imbalances). It emphasizes the preventive rather than the curative aspect. If it was strongly influenced by the Indian tradition, Ayurvedic medicine in Sri Lanka has developed in an autonomous way with a know-how and methods specific to the island. The Sri Lankan government created in 1980 a "Ministry of Indigenous Medicine" in order to regulate the Ayurvedic practice, which is very present in the country.
Spices
It is difficult to miss the intoxicating scent of spices and their aromas during your stay. Since ancient times, Sri Lanka has been known for the quality of its spices and has attracted the interest of many sailors from all over the world to trade in them. Among the most sought-after spices: pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cloves... Ideal to spice up your dishes on your return and to impress your friends! You will find them everywhere in the markets of the country. If you want to learn more about spices, don't hesitate to visit a spice garden, but avoid buying them there, as the prices are much higher than elsewhere.
Arrak
It is the (very) alcoholic drink made from fermented coconut flower sap. It is easily found in supermarkets and on sale at the roadside.
Photos
Sri Lankans are happy to have their picture taken, as long as you do it tactfully, exchanging a smile and a few words beforehand.
To avoid problems at customs
It is best not to bring back certain items. Throughout the country there are goldsmiths specializing in working with ivory to create religious objects; do not bring any back, even if some pieces are superb, they are forbidden to be imported into Europe. Some 450 species of plants are protected and/or prohibited for export. To bring back specific species, please contact the Forest Department ( +94 119 428 666, www.environmentlanka.com), at 82 Rajamalwatta Road in Battaramulla. Also, and this is obvious, all animals, dead or alive, and animal parts (skins, horns, feathers, etc.) are also prohibited.
