Best Souvenirs to Buy in Sri Lanka

If you haven't bought local souvenirs, your trip to Sri Lanka may not be complete. Even a small gift can evoke memories of this colorful country. When it comes to souvenirs in Sri Lanka, you may be a bit clueless and don't know what to buy. Don't hurry to buy something casually before you go. This list of the best souvenirs to buy in Sri Lanka will help you make a decision quickly.

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 height, so the quality of black tea made in the mountains over 1,200 meters is better.

Ceylon Black Tea is famous for its mild taste and long-lasting fragrance. In addition to the original black tea, the store generally offers many fruity tea bags, such as lemon, strawberry, mint, and cherry flavors, as well as English breakfast tea, afternoon tea, and earl gray tea.

It is worth noting that some black teas sold, known as Ceylon black teas, can actually be blended with black teas from India, Kenya, and other growing areas. To regulate the export of Ceylon Black Tea, the Sri Lankan government has issued a uniform quality mark for the 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 pure Ceylon Black Tea, which has been approved by the Sri Lankan government.

2. Gemstone

Sri Lanka is famous for its gemstones. It is said that 90% of the country across the island meets the requirements for the production of gemstones. Sri Lanka's star sapphires, rubies and moonstones are considered the most beautiful gemstones in the world. To buy really good gems, you have to go to a licensed jewelry store.

Many established jewelry brands in Sri Lanka mainly offer sapphire jewelry. If you don't like the finished product, you can also choose loose stones and then return to your country to design and make your own exclusive jewelry. The quality of the loose stones is also very guaranteed here.

3. Elephant Manure Notebook

The elephant manure notebook is the most popular souvenir in Sri Lanka. After the elephant manure has been specially processed, the paper is made with a delicate note and special spices, which makes it a very meaningful souvenir. This environmentally friendly souvenir has inspired people to think about protecting nature and using resources wisely. Although the notebook is made of elephant manure, it has been specially treated, and does not smell at all.

4. Spices

Spices are also a famous Sri Lankan specialty. 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. Their functions include the treatment of psychological stress, diabetes, migraines, asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, etc.

5. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a popular personal care product in Sri Lanka. There are many uses of coconut oil, such as relief from dryness, sun protection, hair care, and cooking. Sri Lanka is a tropical country with strong sunshine. Hair that is exposed to the scorching sun can easily become dry, yellow and split. Before going to bed or washing your hair, you can apply an adequate amount of coconut oil to the ends of your hair and then wash your hair again to make your hair better. If you insist on using coconut oil to take care of your face and body, your skin will also become softer and softer.

6. Sari

Sari is a characteristic dress of Sri Lankan women with very national characteristics. Sri Lanka attaches great importance to traditional culture. Officials and teachers must wear sari at work. For large occasions such as large celebrations or weddings, women wear expensive, exquisite saris. Therefore, travelers can often see women in bright saris on the streets of Sri Lanka.

The colorful sari is traditionally made without fading or damaging the skin. Since there are not many ways to wear sari after leaving Sri Lanka, you can buy an improved light sari. In addition to clothing, there is a choice of handmade clothing, shoes, handbags, toys, and household items.

7. Raksha Masks and Other Handicrafts

Many malls or markets in Sri Lanka have many very exquisite handicrafts, including wood carvings, ceramics and woven products, most of which are very cheap. Wood carvings and masks are the most representative souvenirs from Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan masks are believed to have the function of exorcism and protection. In Colombo, such masks are often seen hanging in front of the locals' houses. Most masks are called Raksha masks and are made of a light wood called Kaduru that needs to 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, and there are rubber plantations all over the island. The rubber product travelers prefer will be 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 it if you want to.