Sri-Lanka Shopping

Tourists can purchase a variety of items in Sri Lanka, including ready-made garments, batiks, tea and handicrafts. Some popular souvenirs of the country are lacquerware, furniture and handmade silver and brass objects. Imitations of Dutch and British era furniture are also widely sold in Sri Lanka.

Bargaining is a highlight of shopping in Sri Lanka. Bargains are offered even on gems on the streets of the country. Carved wooden masks, leather goods, such as bags & belts, silver & gold jewellery and precious gemstones like rubies & sapphires are other favourites. Brassware, bronze, ceramic drinking gourds, batiks, hand-woven textiles, sarongs and fabrics are other popular purchases in the country.

The capital city, Colombo has two main shopping malls of the country. These include Liberty Plaza and Majestic City. Other popular shopping centres in the country are Odel Pvt Ltd, Colombo; Majestic City, Galle Road and R. A. Demel Mawatha, Colombo.

The city of Ratnapura is known for gems and jewellery. Handicrafts can be purchased from Kandy. The handicrafts available in the city are manufactured by the craftsmen and their families, who reside in Kundasale, which lies at a distance of 4 km from Kandy. Wooden masks can be purchased from Ambalangoda.

Some other popular purchases in the country include curios of silver, brass, bone, ceramics, wood and terracotta. Shops in Sri Lanka are open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. On Saturday, shops are open from 9 am till 1 pm.

In Sri Lanka, goods and services are levied with a VAT of 12%. Luxury goods and liquor are levied with a VAT of 20%.

The only duty free shopping hub is located at  the Transit & Departure Lounge of the Bandaranaike International Airport. At the retail outlets in this zone, local or national taxes and duties are exempted. There are shops selling liquor, watches, cameras, perfumes, cosmetics, electrical appliances and gems at this zone.