One of the great temptations for Western visitors when looking around the gift shops is that prices are so cheap that it seems a crime not to go home with a bag full of bargains.
Visitors need to be wary for fakes, particularly when buying gems or designer clothes. The Ceylon Tourist Board is a good reference.
Clothing:
Some of designer brands have their clothes made here include GAP, Ralph Lauren and Next. Most are exported to Western countries, but they are sold in Sri Lankan boutiques and malls at tempting low prices; as low as USD10 – USD30. Be on the lookout when buying, as fake products abound.
Gems & Jewellery:
Sri Lanka has been famous for its precious stones. Gems and jewellery remain important to the national economy even today. Blue sapphires, rubies, amethysts, topaz, moonstones and more are to be found here, so it is hardly surprising that these dazzling items feature high on many visitors’ shopping list. Ratnapura is the gem mining centre where locally excavated uncut gems are traded daily on the streets. Word of caution though, unless you are an expert gemologist, there is a strong chance that you will end up with an expensive piece of coloured glass. You could find many sophisticated scams who would lure you to buy gems at a special “cheap” price with assurances that you will be able to resell them back home for several times the price you paid for them.
Masks:
The most characteristic – and clichéd – Sri Lankan souvenirs are brightly painted masksBack to Top