Have you ever wondered about what are famous Sri Lankan products? In this post, you’ll find out everything that makes Sri Lanka famous – the major exports and wonderful things that have put Sri Lanka on the map. The list of famous Sri Lankan products contains pretty impressive facts. Some facts you may have already known and others might be new to you. Find out all the famous things available in Sri Lanka and remember to look for them while you are touring the island. Take home a few of these things as wonderful memories of this lovely paradise.
1. Tea
Sri Lanka produces the world’s finest tea and it is the 4th largest tea producer in the world, staying only behind China, India, and Kenya. British colonial rulers introduced the tea plantation to Sri Lanka and gradually it became one of the island’s largest industries, employing over a million workers. Now the tea industry represents 17 % of the national export revenue of the country.
Tea is at the top of the list of famous Sri Lankan products. Sri Lanka is renowned for tasty Ceylon tea, including the famous Lipton tea brand. As well, Sri Lanka produces different grades of black tea, and flavored teas such as Lemon tea, Cinnamon tea, Ginger tea, Mint tea, Hibiscus tea. These flavored teas are highly popular Sri Lankan products in the world market.
The central highlands of the country have a low temperature and mild climatic conditions throughout the year that is optimum for growing high-quality tea. Nuwara Eliya, call as the tea country in Sri Lanka is the tea production capital of the island. You’ll find tea estates run as far as your eyes can see in the hill country. If you interest to learn the tea production process, it is possible to visit a tea trail and taste a cup of tea made from freshly plucked tea leaves during the tour.
2. Rubber
Rubber is the second most important plantation crop in Sri Lanka and it is one of the leading natural rubber producers in the world. The rubber industry plays an important role in the Sri Lankan economy, and it is one of the country’s main foreign exchange earning methods. It considers as the second famous Sri Lankan products in the agricultural industry.
The wet zone in Sri Lanka has the optimum conditions for the growth of rubber plants. It grows well under cultivation and grows up to a height of 100 feet. Wounding the trunk of a rubber tree produces the latex and it continuously gives the latex for many years.
Currently, Sri Lanka is one of the main manufacturers of the best quality latex crepe rubber. It specialized in the production of rubber products like solid tires and sole crepe for shoes for the global market. Sri Lanka’s industrial solid tires recognize as the best product in the world. Sri Lanka produces processed latex products, including rubber gloves and surgical gloves. Natural rubber latex gloves made in Sri Lanka widely use for medical, industrial, and household purposes around the world.
3. Coconut
Coconut is the third most important plantation crop in Sri Lanka. It is the fourth-largest exporter of coconut products in the world. It is among the top famous Sri Lankan products in the world market.
This multi-purpose plant supplies several exportable products. Coconut milk, virgin coconut oil, and coconut water are a few among them. Sri Lanka is very popular in the world market for desiccated coconut. In addition, coconut kernel products such as bristle fiber and activated carbon made with coconut shells have a high demand in the market. Sri Lanka holds the global No.1 for the exports of brown fiber. It is one of the leading suppliers of coir or brown fiber to the world.
Sri Lankan climate around the coastline is ideal for coconut plantation that ensures year-round harvesting of coconuts. As well as, the palm-fringed coast makes photogenic scenery, which attracts thousands of visitors to the beach paradise of Sri Lanka.
4. Spices
Sri Lanka is one of the major spice producers in the world since ancient times. As the name ‘spice island’ implies, spices were the most sought-after commodity in the country during history. Colonial traders were mainly attracted to Sri Lanka in order to find these herbs and spices. Sri Lankan spices include in the most famous products list from history.
Favorable climatic conditions in Sri Lanka allow a variety of spices to grow on the island’s soil well. Out of all the spices grown in Sri Lanka, the most famous one is cinnamon. It is widely used in Sri Lankan cuisine to give a nice aroma and taste to curry dishes. If you are cooking Sri Lankan curries, don’t forget to add a piece of cinnamon. They have a sweet, fresh taste; therefore it uses to make cinnamon-flavored tea.
Sri Lanka produces many more top-quality spices and exports them to all corners of the world. Apart from cinnamon, Sri Lanka produces all sorts of other spices, including black pepper, cloves, cardamoms, nutmeg, and vanilla.
5. Gems
The gem industry in Sri Lanka has a long history. Since ancient times, Sri Lanka was world-famous for precious stones. Sri Lanka produces more than 50 varieties of gemstones, second only to Brazil. It is world-famous for sapphires and it accounts for 25% of global sapphire sales. Most probably, gems are the famous Sri Lankan products among the visitors who love gems and jewelry.
Most gem deposits in the country are located at Ratnapura, call as the city of gems. Certainly, it is the gem trading hub in Sri Lanka and the prime destination for gem buyers. There are more than 30 popular gem varieties and several rare gem species can be found in the country. Ruby, Cat’s Eye, Quartz, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Garnet, Tourmaline, and Topaz are some of the beautiful and high-demand gem types found in Sri Lanka.
Rare Sri Lankan gemstones with exquisite beauty have been used for crowns and jewelry of royal families. It is the proud producer of the blue sapphire of Princess Diana’s engagement ring which is officially called the Ceylon Blue Sapphire.
6. Apparels
Sri Lanka is among the top apparel producing countries in the world. The apparel industry of Sri Lanka employs about 15% of the country’s workforce. Over the past few decades, the apparel industry grew to Sri Lanka’s number one export representing 52% of national export revenue. This rapid development of the country’s textile and garment industry has resulted in Sri Lanka transforming into a regional apparel hub.
The main importers of Sri Lankan textiles are the United States and Europe that account for 76% and 36% of the total textile exports respectively. Textile manufacturing units from Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, UK, and USA have set up industries in Sri Lanka. Throughout the years, Sri Lankan textiles have gained a strong reputation worldwide for high-quality apparel trusted by iconic global fashion brands. If you are visiting Sri Lanka, don’t forget to buy some quality apparels, which are quite cheaper than in any other country.
7. Batiks
Batik is a kind of fabric dying art by using wax on fabric, in order to avoid dyeing a certain section of the fabric. This method is widely available in Sri Lanka and you will find batik clothes with beautiful decorations. There are some highly skilled Batik artists and you’ll find creatively designed lovely batik dresses in Sri Lanka.
The batik production process is quite complicated and needs high artistic skills. Simply, the wax is applied to the pattern and then the material is immersed in dye. Afterward, the wax is removed with boiling water. This leaves the waxed area a different color in comparison to the dyed area. The process is repeated with different areas being waxed and dyes of different shades in order to make complex multi-colored designs.
Batik dresses are elegant and durable, completely worthy Sri Lankan products to buy. They mainly produce by using cotton materials and the best choice for the warm Sri Lankan climate. Besides, the cotton material helps to reduce the heat and stay cool during the hot daytime. Since the cotton fabric usually captures the dyes well, these dresses can wear without fading for a long time.
Batik shops
Many tourists like to wear batik clothes throughout their beach holidays. Therefore, southern seaside areas, including Hikkaduwa, Galle, and Matara are particularly famous for batik products. You’ll find a range of batik products, including beautiful beachwear, sarees, tops, skirts, wall decorations, tablecloths, bedsheets, and many more. There are several famous batik shops in Kandy, which sell elegantly designed Batik clothes. Since these unique batik styles are highly popular Sri Lankan products, remember to have a look at them during your Sri Lanka travel.
8. Brassware
Sri Lanka is a famous place for elegant traditional brass handicrafts. Brass consists mainly of 60-70% of copper and 20- 30% of zinc. More than any other metal, brassware adds a shine to the home interior decorations. Most Sri Lankan homes own a collection of traditional brassware, often passed down the generations.
The manufacturing of brassware needs skilled people and this industry is limited to craftsmen of the traditional brassware crafting community. The brassware industry was established in the Kandy district around three temple loop area, including Gadaladeniya, Pilimatalawa, and its surroundings. They are proud of the processing of brass products of the highest class, which are available to buy islandwide.
Designs on brassware surfaces made with clever fingers of craftsmen. Bowls, tea sets, trays, ashtrays, as well as decorative products including traditional oil lamps, vases, and elephants made using brass. Mostly they are used for interior decorative purposes because they add elegance and glamour. Buddhists and Hindus use statues of Buddha and various gods made of brass for worship.
9. Wooden Masks
The wooden masks painted in vibrant colors are one of the iconic symbols you often see in Sri Lanka. These masks are unique to Sri Lanka and they used for traditional dances since ancient times. Sri Lankan artisans make beautiful wooden masks with the inherited skills of their family through the generations. They incorporate decorative techniques and bright colors to give an attractive appearance to them. Masks make using softwoods, to make them easier to handle.
They are widely available in the southern part of the country, where Ambalangoda is a highly famous place for wooden masks. If you are traveling to Galle, you may make a quick stop at Ambalangoda, to visit the Mask Museum.
The premises have a museum with a nice collection of masks, a shop, and a workshop. You will be able to see the process of making masks by artisans. It will be very interesting to learn about the history and cultural significance of each mask in the collection.
Sri Lankan masks are patiently hand-carved with very intricate designs and painted in brilliant colors. These handicrafts are artistic products depicting the traditional Sri Lankan inheritance that has been passed on over the years. Definitely, you’ll find these lovely masks as completely worthy souvenirs that show Sri Lankan unique cultural values.
10. Elephant Dung Paper
Finally, this is something quite interesting. Have you ever heard of paper made from poop? It seems funny, but you can really find them in Pinnawala, Sri Lanka. Pinnawala Elephant Sanctuary is home to nearly 100 elephants and one elephant makes up to 100 kg of dung per day. This dung is mostly fiber. It can be recycled for a variety of purposes, making it an eco-friendly paper material with benefits.
In factories around the Pinnawala elephant orphanage, this dung is used to make fancy paper products including notebooks, greeting cards, envelopes, and many other paper materials. Each one is handmade with attractive colorful designs, unique to Sri Lanka. If you are visiting Pinnawala, remember to peep into these elephant dung paper-making factories. You might be interested in buying these wonderful paper products as a gift or souvenir of your journey.
Here we have summarized the most famous things you’ll find in Sri Lanka, and don’t forget to look at them while touring the island. Pick some of your preferred things to take home as a souvenir. With prior knowledge of the best Sri Lankan products, you’ll be able to decide what to look for and what to buy during your Sri Lanka journey. Happy touring and shopping for everybody.!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay, Pinterest and salt.lk.
Excellent, as always! But I want that gorgeous red batik skirt! 🤣
Thanks a lot Lisa.! There are elegant Batik dresses in Sri Lanka. Remember to have a look when you visit here next time.