8 Best Souvenirs to Buy in Sri Lanka

If you haven't bought local souvenirs, your Sri Lanka trip may not be complete. Even a small gift can bring back memories of this colorful country. When it comes to souvenirs in Sri Lanka, you may be a little clueless and unsure what to buy. Don't rush to buy something casually before you leave. Here is a list of the 8 must-buysouvenirs in Sri Lanka.

 

Gift shop in Sri Lanka

Gift shop in Sri Lanka

 

1. Ceylon black tea

Sri Lanka is the world's best producer of black tea, mainly due to its unique geographic location and the large temperature difference between day and night. As with coffee, the taste of black tea changes with altitude, so the quality of black tea made in mountains above 1200 meters will be better.

 

Ceylon black tea in exquisite packaging

Ceylon black tea in exquisite packaging

 

Ceylon black tea is famous for its mild taste and long-lasting fragrance. In addition to the original black tea, the store generally offers a large number of fruity tea bags such as lemon, strawberry, mint and cherry, as well as English breakfast tea, afternoon tea and Earl Gray tea. It's worth noting that some black teas sold can actually be blended with black teas from India, Kenya, and other growing areas.

 

In order to regulate the export of Ceylon black tea, the Sri Lankan government has issued a uniform quality mark for Ceylon tea: a lion king with a sword. The upper part of the rectangular sign is a male lion holding a sword on the right front paw, and the lower part consists of two rows of English, namely "Ceylon tea" and "Symbol of quality". Only Ceylon black tea with this logo is the pure Ceylon black tea that has been approved by the Sri Lankan government.

 

2. Gemstone

Sri Lanka is famous for its gemstones. It is said that 90% of the land across the island meets the conditions for gemstone production. Sri Lanka's star sapphires, rubies and moonstones are considered to be the most beautiful gemstones in the world. To buy truly high-quality gemstones, you need to go to a licensed jewelry store.

 

Gemstone

Gemstone

 

There are many well-known jewelry brands in Sri Lanka that mainly sell sapphire jewelry. If you don't like the finished product, you can also choose a loose stone and then return to your country to design and make your own exclusive jewelry. Here, the quality of the loose stones is also guaranteed.

 

3. Elephant Dung Notebook

The elephant dung notebook is the most sought-after souvenir in Sri Lanka. After the elephant dung has been specially processed, the paper is made with a delicate touch and special spices, which makes it a very meaningful souvenir. This eco-friendly souvenir has inspired people to think about protecting nature and using resources skillfully. Although the notebook is made of elephant dung, it has no smell after special treatment.

 

Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka

Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka

 

4. Spices

Spices are also a famous Sri Lankan specialty. The spices in Sri Lanka include cocoa, vanilla, pineapple, durian, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, anise, pepper, turmeric, mustard and so on. Locals use the leaves, roots, peels, and fruits of these plants to process and manufacture various medicines, health products, and spices on site. Its functions include treating mental stress, diabetes, migraines, asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, etc.

 

Spices in the market

Spices in the market

 

5. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a popular personal care product in Sri Lanka. There are many uses for coconut oil, such as dryness relief, sunscreen, hair care, and cooking. Sri Lanka is a tropical country and the sun is very harsh. Hair exposed to the scorching sun can easily become dry, yellow, and split. Before you go to bed or wash your hair, you can apply a fair amount of coconut oil to the ends of your hair and then wash your hair again to make your hair look better. Also, if you insist on using coconut oil to care for your face and body, your skin will become softer and more tender.

 

Coconut oil

Coconut oil

 

6. Sari

Sari is a distinctive dress of Sri Lankan women with very national features. Sri Lanka attaches great importance to traditional culture. Officials and teachers must wear sari when working. For big occasions like big parties or weddings, women wear expensive and exquisite saris. Therefore, travelers can often see women in bright saris on the streets of Sri Lanka.

 

Sari shop

Sari shop

 

Traditionally made colorful sarees will not fade or damage the skin. Since there aren't many options to wear sari after leaving Sri Lanka, you can buy an upgraded lightweight saree. In addition to clothing, the handmade clothing, shoes, handbags, toys and household items are also good choice.

 

7. Raksha masks and other handicrafts

Many very exquisite handicrafts can be seen in shopping malls or markets in Sri Lanka, including wood carvings, ceramics and woven products, most of which are very cheap. Wood carvings and masks are the most representative souvenirs of Sri Lanka. It is believed that Sri Lankan masks have the function of exorcism and protection.

 

Raksha mask for exorcism

Raksha mask for exorcism

 

In Colombo you can often see such masks hanging in front of the houses of the locals. Most masks are called Raksha masks and are made of a lightweight wood called kaduru that must be smoked to dry before carving. The basic color of the mask is yellow, then it is outlined with other colors and finally covered with a mixed resin powder and clear oil. Most of the sculptures on the mask are demons, gods, legendary figures, and animal statues.

 

8. Latex products

Sri Lanka is rich in rubber, with rubber all over the island. The rubber product that travelers prefer is latex pillows. Some latex pillow manufacturers in Sri Lanka are originally OEMs for European latex bedding brands, so the quality is quite good. The latex pillow stores offer a complete range of products. Visitors can experience first and then buy.

 

Latexprodukte

Latex products

 

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