Lakpura Trading (Pvt) Ltd
Lakpura Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, established in 2003, promotes Sri Lanka's small and medium producers in fields like herbs, spices, crafts, Ayurvedic products, and more. As part of Lakpura LLC, we aim to share Sri Lankan culture, cuisine, and values globally, preserving authenticity for future generations while connecting with the world through virtual commerce.
Shopping
Shopping in Sri Lanka can take many forms, from haggling with handicraft sellers on the beach to choosing fresh fruit from traditional village stores or exploring modern shopping centers in Colombo. Visitors can find traditional designs such as makara motifs, lions, swans, elephants, and lotus patterns in brassware and silverware, which make excellent souvenirs. In addition, ritual masks, lacquerware, batik, handloom textiles, lace, and wood carvings are also popular.
Colombo, Sri Lanka's largest city and commercial capital, is vibrant and colorful. It presents an interesting mix of modern life and colonial ruins. Located on the west coast of the island, Colombo is adjacent to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
North of the city center lies the Fort district, the country's business hub. To the south is Galle Face Green, a seaside promenade. To the east is the bustling Pettah bazaar district. The city is home to over 600,000 people.
Pettah is Colombo's primary bazaar district, located next to the Fort area. Its narrow streets are lined with shops selling fabrics, clothing, handbags, jewelry, watches, electronics, shoes, books, household items, and more at affordable prices. Goods are organized by category, making shopping convenient for visitors.
Where to Shop?
A notable shopping destination for crafts is the Laksala Emporium. Run by the government, it offers high-quality products such as wooden masks, lacquerware, batik, and handloom cloth. Other places for quality items include the Handloom Emporium, the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewelry Exchange, and shops around Cinnamon Gardens.
Large-scale shopping is also available at Crescat Boulevard and Majestic City on Galle Road. These malls feature clothing stores, restaurants, supermarkets, and cinemas.
Ceylon Tea is another popular purchase among visitors. Tea outlets in major shopping areas and at the airport offer a wide selection of high-quality products.
What to Buy?
Batiks: Batik is a small-scale industry that has gained popularity among tourists. It incorporates traditional and modern motifs and is used to create clothing such as dresses, shirts, sarongs, and beachwear. Tablecloths, wall hangings, bed covers, and cotton and silk fabrics are also popular souvenirs.
Gems: Sri Lankan gems are renowned for their beauty, clarity, and luster. The country was historically known as "Ratna Deepa," meaning Gem Island. Ratnapura is the main center for gem mining and trading. Blue sapphires from Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon Sapphires, are especially valued worldwide.
Woodworks and Masks: Wood carving and mask making are prominent traditional industries in Sri Lanka. These crafts originated in temples and royal workshops and have been passed down through generations. Ambalangoda is especially famous for traditional wooden masks.
Ceylon Spices: Sri Lankan cuisine is closely linked to its spices. Known as the Spice Island, Sri Lanka produces cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, mace, and vanilla in abundance. Spices and essential oils form a major part of agricultural exports, with cinnamon being the most important commodity.
Brassware: Sri Lankan craftsmen have produced fine brassware for centuries. Pilimatalawa, near Kandy, is well known for its brass products. Traditional items include oil lamps, elephants, ashtrays, and vases, which are used for decoration and religious purposes.
Ceylon Tea: Ceylon Tea is world-famous for its quality and variety. Sri Lanka's climate provides ideal conditions for tea cultivation, resulting in distinctive flavors and aromas. Ceylon Tea remains one of the country's most valued export products and a favorite beverage worldwide.
