Cultural Industries

Handicraft

Sri Lanka has a proud heritage of arts and crafts. Popular handicrafts include gold and silver jewelry set with gems, wooden masks, intricate lace-work, lacquer work and ceramics.

Most of these industries have been in existence for more than 1000 years ago and the geographical concentration of different products further supports the historical presence of this industry and cultural influences on products.

Cultural diversity has enriched the talents of local craftsmen, with traditional skills running in the families passed down through generations. Historical records reveal how art and crafts flourished under the royal patronage and the craftsmen were held in high esteem Innovative materials such as banana fiber, cinnamon wood, metal, iron etc along with recycle and environmentally friendly materials are being used seldomly by the manufacturers.

In European and developed countries such products have a huge demand irrespective of the age of customers. With digitalization and automation, people are now looking for more handmade products than machine or robotic made products. The range of products includes: wooden mask, soft & wooden Toys, c e r a m i c & porcelain ornaments, wood crafts, handloom products, bags, table mats, coasters, wall hangings, lampshades, household accessories, furnishing, terra – cotta pots & vases, , paper crafts, baskets & wicker ware, artificial flowers, hand embroidery, beeralu lace products, candles, wrapping papers and packaging, wellness & spa products etc.

Clay Pot

The pottery of Sri Lanka has a very long history. There are pieces of evidence about the history of pottery in Sri Lanka that goes back to the second century BC. It has become unbroken tradition that was passed from one generation to other. There is evidence from the archeological excavations at the Anuradhapura Gedige and Kandarodai in Jaffna that has found pottery items in the early stage of history in Sri Lanka.

The main material that is used in Sri Lankan pottery industry is clay. There are main three types of clay that are used for pottery. As a result of the large scale of use, clay has become a scarce resource in Sri Lanka. Mainly clay is available in the areas of Nattandiya, Dediyawela, Boralasgamuwa, and Meetiyagoda. Most of the traditional pottery villages are found near these clay deposits. But Since the demand spreads in all the country there can be found other villages also outside these clay deposits.

Red clay - Red clay is commonly available in Sri Lanka. It is usually mixed with sands and grit. This type of clay is mainly used to make tile and bricks. But after clearing from the dirt it is also used for pottery.

White clay - White clay is found as a large deposit. It can not be used as raw material directly and needs to be mixed with other materials to use in the pottery industry. Most of the time white clay is used to manufacture porcelain and ceramics.

Ball clay - Ball clay can be found in small deposits. the main component of the ball clay is Kaolin. Boralesgamuwa and Mitiyagoda areas are the main areas with large Ball clay deposits.

Handlom

Handlooms constitute a timeless aspect of the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. As an economic activity, the handlooms occupy a place providing a livelihood to the people. The element of art and craft present in Sri Lankan handlooms makes it a potential sector for the upper segments of domestic and global market.

Sri Lankan handloom industry is mostly carried out in a cottage industry level, with few large manufacturers leading the way. An industry governed largely by women, the Sri Lankan heritage and traditional weaving patterns are kept alive. The Sri Lankan handlooms are made of cotton and silk threads and many are presented as sarees, shawls, sarongs as well as household linen, upholstery, tapestry, and curtain fabrics. Exported around the world and could be purchased under local brands as traditional handlooms of Sri Lanka continuing to add color to many living spaces around the country.

The industry has assisted to showcase the undying creativity of generations of Sri Lankans taking them even to the international arena.

These items are designed for niche markets where handmade products of high value are required for purchasing.

Handloom products are assured with complete sustainability and with minimal environmental pollution. Therefore, there is a great opportunity for the Sri Lankan handloom industry to flourish.

Gem

Sri Lanka has been known to the world for centuries as a land blessed with dazzling gemstones. Sea faring traders from all over the world chose this magical land as a much sought after port of call in their voyages searching for the world’s finest gem stones.

Famous historical chronicles testify that royals around the world, including the English Royal Family have adorned their crown jewels with gems and jewelry from Sri Lanka. Throughout history, the brilliance of Sri Lankan gemstones inspired kings, traders and historians across the globe.

The legacy continues, as Sri Lanka still holds the crown for producing world class gemstones. During early times, Sri Lanka was once referred to as ‘Rathna Dweepa’ which connotes the meaning ‘The Island of Gemstones’ The gems of Sri Lanka are woven into its history.

Marco Polo wrote that the island had the best Sapphires, Topazes, Amethysts, and other gemstones in the world. Records from sailors that visited the island states that they brought back ‘Jewels of Serendib’. Serendib was the ancient name given to the island by Middle Eastern and Persian traders that crossed the Indian Ocean to trade gemstones from Sri Lanka to the East during the 4th and 5th century.

Main species of gemstones found in Sri Lanka are Sapphire, Ruby, Cat’s Eye, Alexandrite, Chrysoberyl, Spinel, Topaz, Zircons, Tourmaline and Garnets. The best known and most prolific gemstone producing area in the island is the Ratnapura district of the Sabaragamuwa province. The other major gem mining areas in the country are Avissawella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Pelmadulla and Balangoda.

Bathik

The Batik industry in Sri Lanka is a small scale industry which can employ individual design talent and creativity. Its economic benefit is profit from dealing with foreign customers.

It is now the most visible of the island's crafts with galleries and factories, large and small, having sprung up in many tourist areas. The material created by the batik-makers is used to produce distinctive dresses, shirts, sarongs and beachwear well-suited for tropical climes.

Many tourists at seaside resorts such as Hikkaduwa wear batik clothes throughout their holiday. Apart from clothes, tablecloths, wall pictures, beach clothes, pure cotton and silk, men's and ladies' wear and bed covers are popular as a reminder of a visit to Sri Lanka.

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