Local craft skills are still practiced widely across the country. Pottery, coir fiber, carpentry, handloom weaving and metalwork all receive government assistance. Some of the crafts are concentrated in just a few villages. Kandy Colombo highway exhibites majority of the cottage industries as every town ship will display its speciality and craftmenship. While on tour your guide will also recommend a few souvenir shops and museums to visit. Do not say not to these as although they are a sales opportunity for your guide they are also established outlets which educate and offer the best quality products and crafts.

What to buy in Sri Lanka

Of Indonesian origin but Sri Lankan design, good-quality batiks, from wall hangings to lungis (Sarongs), are widely available. Handloom has been seen as a major revival in recent years, and there are also a wide range of hand-woven cotton and silk textiles in vibrant colours and textures.

The ‘City of arts’, Kalapura, has over 70 families of craftsmen making superb brass, wood, silver and gold items. Some specialize in find carvings, inlays and damascene. Oil lamps are popular.

Ratnapura is Sri Lanka’s gem capital, but they are sold throughout the country. There are many outlets in Kandy that have demonstrations of ancient well-mines and will walk tourists through the detail process of finding and creating these master pieces.

A popular craft in the southwest if the island, especially around Ambalangoda, based on traditional masks used in dance dramas. Good-quality masks in a range sixes can also be picked up in craft outlets in Colombo. Do not be alarmed at the prices of the larger more extravagant ones. The best masks are carved out of one single log and may vary from USD1000 to as much as USD6000 depending the on the craftsmanship, design, type of wood, size and age of the piece.

Another Kandyan specialty is Silverware, with jewellery, tea sets, trays, candle stands and ornaments available. Inlay work is a further specialization. Fine gold and silver chain work is done in the Pettah area of old Colombo.

There are a range of value-added tea shops dotted throughout the country and taking home a uniquely packed Pure Ceylon Tea is a must on an tourists shopping list.

Introduced by the Portuguese, Galle is famous for its pillow lace and crochet. Musical instruments, especially drums are popular gifts. Matara is a good place to pick them up. Coir and palm leaf are made into mats, rugs, baskets and bags, while reed, cane and rattan are fashioned into attractive household goods, including mats, chairs, lampshades, bags and purses. Lacquer ware is another craft centered on the Kandy region. The quality of leather goods especially bags is often fairly high.