If you want to take a souvenir of Sri Lanka, visit Sakura Batiks & Handy Crafts. Since 1977 “Sakura Batiks & Handicrafts” has built a reputation for being one of the Sri Lanka’s oldest and finest Batiks & Handicrafts store with collection of almost thousands locally hand made products that are economically prized.

Batiks are very popular among the tourists. Batiks crafts has been introduced to Sri Lanka from Indonesia and Malaysia, but Sri Lankan artists made use of Sri Lankan designs and motifs and developed it in Sri Lanka. There are two methods of making batiks namely wax resistant system and tie and dye method. But what is widely used is the waxing system.

• Wall hangings
• Scarfs
• Shirts
• Sarongs
• Saris
• Shawls
• T – Shirts
• Blouses
• Table clothes
• Dresses

Super quality 100% cotton lightweight fashionable men’s and women’s clothes are available in our show room.

Ideal for travelling holiday leisure wear.

Tourists always prefer to take a Sri Lankan mask as souvenirs. Sri Lankan masks are world famous. How did the masks originat in Sri Lanka. In the past people thought that the diseases epidemic are caused by demons (YAKKAS) and those diseases could be cured by rituals called devil dancing, where the witch doctors wear mask. The masks representing a disease is called SANNI MASK. The masks with 3 cobra hoods as the head dress and two lotuses for the two ears is called GARA YAKA. This demon is said to be benevolent one. The people believe that the effect of the evil eye could be expelled by keeping this mask at homes. The mask with cobra hoods for the head dress and the ears is called NAGARAKSHA or cobra demon. The mask with features of a bird is called GARUDA RAKSHA. This bird GARUDA is a mythical bird. There is a belief that this bird prey on cobras. There are several more masks such as MAYURA RAKSHA (Peacock Demon) GINIJALA RAKSHA (Demon of fire Flames) etc. in the market.

There is another type of masks called “KOLAM MASKS”. Kolam masks are used for folk plays. These folk plays criticize various weakness in the society. These KOLAM masks are not of demons, but of kings, queens, police constables, money lender etc. The wood that is used for masks is NUX VOMICA (Diya Kaduru). This wood has qualities properties such as softness/thus (easy to cut) does not crack, insects cannot attack. The area famous for masks is Ambalangoda 53 miles off Colombo on the Southern coast Olaboduwa , Gonapola, Batuwita in the Kaluthara District. There is a famous mask craftsman at Kotugoda near Minuwangoda.

Wood carving is a traditional craft, in the ancient times doors, doorframes, pillars of temples and palaces were carved with traditional designs. The best examples of wood carvings are found in Sri Lanka the Audience Hall (Magulmaduwa) kandy and Embekke Dewale near Gampola. Even today you get wood carvings of high quality in the marks at Embekke and Nattatampotha you can see master craftsmen of wood carvings at work.

E boney is a wood naturally grown in the jungles or Sri Lanka. The hard kernel of the wood black in colour, has become the basic for a fine handicrafts of Sri Lanka. The e bony elephants of southern coastal town Galle is world famous. Galle has been famous ebony elephants for centures. The expert craftsmen of Galle can turn a log of wood to a figure of an elephant almost looking alive with the help of chisel and the mallet only. These expert craftsmen came from Wakwella Road, Galwadugoda, Kalegama, HaliwalaKithulampitiya, Hapugala around Galle. In addition to elephant, Buddhs statues of various gods and other secular figures such veddha couples etc. are also made of ebony.

Watakeyya or screw pine is used for making of various basketry. Watakeyya grows very well close to the coset. Kalutara is famous for Wetakeyya work. Baskets, market bags, hats, mats, table mats, line baskets are made of Wetakeyya. Payagala, Maggona, Wadduwa, nagahaduwa are famous for this crafts.

Indikola or wild date palm is made use for a valuable handicraft. The tender leaves of this palm is boiled and made use for making of coin purses, summer hat etc. Kaluthata, Hikkaduwa, Galle is famous for Indikola work.

Lace is a handicraft that is confined more or less to Galle and Matara districts. This is not an indigenous craft, it has been introduced by the Dutch. But now it has become almost an indigenous craft. This is also called pillow lace because a pillow like bed is used to make lace. Magalle close to Galle, Weligama, mathara, Dondara etc. are famous for lace. It is ladies who are engage in lace working.