Joanna James
The tiny island of Sri Lanka is famed for its tea, gems, spectacular beaches, and the rich history that belies its small size. Complementing these treasures are locally turned out creations gaining the attention of visitors to the island. Read on to discover some of the unique items.
Made by skilled local craftsmen coconut shell spoons are eco-friendly as coconut shell is natural and non-reactive and the ladle is made using non-reactive wood. These well-finished spoons come in different sizes, smaller ones for desserts, medium and large ones for Sri Lankan curries and rice and of course the soup ladles.
Using wax on fabric to resist the dye from penetrating the cloth Batik creations are colourful, eye-catching and trendy. Visitors to villas in Sri Lanka love Batik garments such as simple shifts, tops, shirts and wall hangings. Those interested can also experience a demo of Batik making at some of the Batik Boutiques on the island.
Founded on the Ayurvedic treatment which has been around for years, many wellness and healing related Ayurvedic products are widely available and popular among locals and visitors. Produced using authentic herbs and medicinal plants they can be in the form of balms, lotions, syrups etc.
With a long and colourful history, Sri Lankan gems have been sought after even by the British Royalty. View the multifaceted gems set on rings, pendants, bracelets etc, and treat yourself or a loved one to a unique gem-studded piece of jewellery as done by visitors at Reveal the Collection hotels.
Whether you are a lover of cooking or not, explore a spice boutique and enjoy the heavenly aromas whilst you make some purchases of fragrant cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves and a plethora of others that add flavour, goodness and those wonderful aromas to the dishes.
As one of the main export items, Sri Lankan tea has brought fame to this little island. Buy tea which is available all over the island in eye-catching packaging. Ensure the Sri Lankan lion Ceylon Tea logo is present on your purchase to ensure it is authentic Sri Lankan tea.
Try Sri Lankan made chocolates, cookies and an array of mouthwatering cakes. These are lovely gifts to take back to friends and family to give them a taste and feel of Sri Lanka.
This long stretch of cloth in multiple hues and textures is a timeless garment loved by Sri Lankan women. There are different drapes to suit the age, figure and the fancy of the woman. Treat yourself to having a saree draped on you and buy it for yourself or to give as a gift.
Be it with a batik design, or vibrantly dyed local cotton, the sarongs are the equivalent of the saree for men. This is an easy garment for an evening at the beach or even for dinner out with a matching shirt. A good gift for a male.
Mostly turned out by rural women since ancient times, these items have come a long way embracing today's trends with eye-catching placemats, serviettes, cloth bags, table cloths and many more which make useful gifts.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
