Technical Visit Sri Lanka

Embark on a technical visit Sri Lanka and unlock a world of rich heritage, cutting-edge industries, and technological advancements. Delve into diverse sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, IT, and renewable energy, immersing yourself in a stimulating environment to broaden your knowledge and expertise. Discover the limitless possibilities that await on this unique journey of exploration and innovation.

Handicrafts

Sri Lanka’s diverse handicrafts, crafted with traditional techniques, garner global recognition. These exquisite art forms, created from local materials, captivate residents and visitors. Unlike multinational corporations, Sri Lankan handicrafts thrive in cottage industries, preserving ethnic identities. Skilled artisans inherit and refine their crafts, ensuring economic stability. Each region specializes in unique crafts, like Kumbalgama for clay pottery and Wewaldeniya for cane craft, utilizing natural resources to breathe life into their creations.

About famous handcraft products of Sri Lanka and how its made

The clay pottery Industry

Sri Lanka’s ancient pottery craft, dating back to the 5th century BC, reveals a rich legacy. Clay artifacts, including pots and sculptures, attest to its enduring presence. Local artisans, called “Kumbala,” skillfully mix clay with water using their feet. By hand or wheel, they shape the clay, infusing it with life. Firing the pottery ensures durability. These talented craftsmen create functional cooking pots, bowls, vases, and ornamental pieces, showcasing the nation’s artistic heritage.

Handloom Textiles

Sri Lanka’s handloom textile industry merges traditional designs with modern materials, captivating global markets. Products like bedclothes, towels, saris, and more exhibit exquisite craftsmanship. Even books and writing pads showcase this unique artistry. Rural women actively participate, gaining financial independence and defying gender norms. The government offers crucial support to uplift these industrious individuals, enhancing their lives.

Batiks

Sri Lanka’s batik art, influenced by Indonesian traditions, showcases an array of vibrant garments such as shirts, sarongs, and dresses. This intricate craft involves multiple stages of waxing and dyeing, resulting in stunning and lively designs. Skilled artisans, trained in China, adeptly work with cotton and pure silk. Lime drawing, waxing, and boiling are the initial steps, followed by a meticulous dyeing session. Previously, the popular ‘tie & dye’ method omitted drawing. Tracing the pattern with molten wax, the cloth is submerged in cold water and then dyed with salt and soda. Boiling with detergent removes the wax, repeating the process for each color until the final design emerges.

Wood carving

Sri Lanka’s wood carving art thrives, showcased in intricate designs at Lankathilaka and Embekke Temples. Skilled craftsmen create diverse wooden handicrafts, blending beauty with practicality. From wall hangings to figurines, lacquer products, and gift boxes, Sri Lanka offers a wide array of wooden creations. Rooted in antiquity, this cherished tradition endures with artisans specializing in low relief techniques. Traditional designs grace decorative tables, chairs, and panels, preserving the essence of wood carving.

Wooden mask

In Sri Lanka’s Ambalangoda, wooden mask making holds a profound history. Kaduru trees, prized for their timber, are utilized in this exquisite craft. Passed down through generations, mask making showcases intricate artistry and techniques. After drying kaduru logs, they are skillfully carved and painted, depicting deities, humans, demons, and animals. This tradition, rooted in ancient times, produces a diverse range of captivating wooden masks, preserving cultural heritage.

Brassware

Sri Lankan brassware encompasses two techniques: wrought and cast. The cast technique produces household items like oil lamps, pots, bowls, vases, and wall plaques. Meanwhile, the wrought technique assembles bowls, tea services, trays, and ornamental ware. These techniques highlight the versatility and artistry of Sri Lankan brassware craftsmanship, resulting in exquisite and functional creations that enhance both utility and aesthetics.

Lacemaking

European settlers introduced lacemaking to Sri Lanka, embraced by skilled artisans who create mesmerizing patterns and delicate designs. Sri Lanka’s lacemaking tradition seamlessly blends with the island’s vibrant artistic heritage, representing a fusion of cultures. This European-influenced craft thrives, enriching Sri Lanka’s artistic tapestry and showcasing the nation’s commitment to preserving and evolving traditional craftsmanship.

Sri Lanka’s Gem Industry

Sri Lanka’s gem industry shines with a rich history. The island, called “Rathna Deepa” or “Gems Island,” dazzles with beryl, sapphire, topaz, and amethyst. Esteemed explorers and astronomers have admired these precious stones. Sri Lanka remains a treasure trove of gems, captivating the world with its abundant and magnificent offerings.

Historical Significance

Sri Lanka’s gem industry has a remarkable history. Ptolemy, a 2nd-century astronomer, acknowledged beryl and sapphire’s importance. Marco Polo praised Sri Lanka’s sapphires, topazes, and amethysts in the 13th century. Middle Eastern and Persian traders documented their fascination with Serendib’s gems in the 4th and 5th centuries AD. Gems have long enchanted the world from this island nation.

Impact of Colonial Period

In the colonial era, Sri Lanka underwent extensive gem extraction, yet it retains the highest concentration of gem deposits relative to its landmass. Gem mining techniques include pit-head mining, tunneling, surface placer mining, and river bed dredging, with some relying on chance.

Ratnapura The Gem Hub

Ratnapura, known as the “City of Gems,” is the heart of Sri Lanka’s gem industry. It houses the majority of the country’s precious gemstone deposits. The city’s name reflects its significance in the gem trade.

Prominent Gemstones

Sri Lanka boasts exquisite gemstones, notably the famed Ceylon sapphires, revered for their stunning color, clarity, and radiance. The iconic engagement ring of Princess Diana, later passed on to Prince William and Kate, features a magnificent Ceylon sapphire. Additionally, Sri Lanka proudly unveiled the largest-ever discovered star sapphire, a breathtaking gem weighing an impressive 1405 carats.

Gem Species in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is renowned for its diverse range of precious gemstones, including corundum, beryl, quartz, spinel, tourmaline, and topaz. These exquisite stones form the foundation of the country’s thriving gem industry, captivating enthusiasts and collectors worldwide with their unparalleled beauty and value.

Gemstone Market

Sri Lanka annually exports around 100,000 carats of precious gemstones, attracting international buyers seeking these coveted stones. The National Gem & Jewelry Authority (NGJA), established in 1971 and renamed in 1993, plays a crucial role in supporting buyers. They provide services such as quality inspections, weighing, and certification, ensuring the reliability and authenticity of the gemstones.

Evaluating Gemstones

Evaluating gemstones requires expert knowledge and experience. The assessment focuses on the “4 Cs”: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The value of gemstones is primarily determined by their color and quality, making these factors vital considerations. Expertise in analyzing these characteristics is essential for accurately assessing and determining the value of gemstones.

Sri Lanka’s gem industry, rich in history and abundant deposits, continues to mesmerize the world. From the renowned Ceylon sapphires to the expertise in gemstone evaluation, the island’s natural wealth shines brightly in the global market. Its captivating allure and exquisite gemstones make Sri Lanka a prominent player in the gem industry, captivating the attention of enthusiasts and buyers worldwide.

Spices

Sri Lanka, renowned as the Spice Island, has a captivating history intricately intertwined with its abundance of herbs and spices. These aromatic treasures have played a pivotal role in the country’s culinary traditions, enabling the preservation of meat-based dishes in the absence of refrigeration. Moreover, the spice trade has served as a historical link, connecting Sri Lanka to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs. During different periods of colonization, various powers have left their mark on the cultivation, trade, and preservation of these precious spices, shaping Sri Lanka’s spice industry into what it is today.

Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek Seeds

known for their slightly bitter and nutty flavor, are highly favored in Sri Lankan cooking. These seeds are commonly dry-roasted and ground to intensify their taste. They add a distinctive depth and complexity to curries, pickles, and spice blends, elevating the overall flavor profile of dishes.

Clove

clove

When evaluating Sri Lankan cloves, their fragrance, taste, and oil content take precedence due to their higher levels compared to cloves from other countries. These aromatic buds, derived from evergreen tree flower buds, are prized as a spice with medicinal properties. Cloves are widely cultivated and traded across different nations and are integral to diverse culinary traditions worldwide.

Ginger

Ginger

Ginger, derived from a flowering plant’s root, imparts unique flavor and medicinal benefits. Originating in South China, it gradually spread throughout Asia and reached Africa. Through trade routes, it made its way to Europe from India during the 1st century AD. Today, ginger is globally embraced as a versatile and popular spice.

Cardamom

Cardamom

With its star-shaped form and a flavor reminiscent of licorice and warm spices, star anise adds depth and complexity to savory and sweet dishes. Sri Lankan cuisine often incorporates this unique spice in curries, soups, and marinades, imparting a delightful aromatic quality to the flavors.

Star Anise

Star Anise

With its star-shaped form and a flavor reminiscent of licorice and warm spices, star anise adds depth and complexity to savory and sweet dishes. Sri Lankan cuisine often incorporates this unique spice in curries, soups, and marinades, imparting a delightful aromatic quality to the flavors.

Coriander Seeds

Coriander Seeds

Coriander seeds, with a mild citrusy flavor, enhance Sri Lankan spice blends and curries. Roasted and ground, they emit a delightful aroma and add a slightly sweet, nutty taste to dishes. These seeds harmonize well with other spices and ingredients, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Pandan Leaves

pandan leaves

With its sweet, floral aroma, these aromatic leaves are a popular addition to Sri Lankan desserts, beverages, and rice dishes. They impart a distinct flavor and a delightful fragrance, lending an elegant touch to culinary creations.

Cumin Seeds

cumin seeds

Known for their warm and earthy flavor, cumin seeds are a fundamental spice in Sri Lankan cuisine. Dry-roasting and grinding them intensifies their aroma. Cumin seeds are added to curries, rice dishes, and spice blends, contributing a distinctive and aromatic taste to the local cuisine.

Fennel Seeds

fennel seeds

Fennel seeds, prized for their licorice-like flavor, serve as both a spice and a refreshing mouth freshener, offering a burst of aromatic goodness. Their versatile nature makes them a popular addition to various culinary creations and as a palate cleanser.

Chili Powder

chilli powder

Chili powder, made from dried chili peppers, brings fiery heat and vibrant red color to dishes. It varies in spiciness, adding versatility to Sri Lankan curries, stews, and sambols. Its intense flavor profile delivers a bold and zesty kick, making it an essential ingredient in Sri Lankan cuisine.

Curry Powder

curry powder

Curry powder, a fragrant spice blend, is vital in Sri Lankan cuisine. It combines coriander, cumin, turmeric, fenugreek, and more. Enhancing curries, stews, and stir-fries, it brings depth and richness. With its enticing aroma and balanced spices, curry powder is a must-have for authentic Sri Lankan dishes.

Curry leaves

curry leaves

Curry leaves, known as karapincha, play a vital role in Sri Lankan cuisine by enriching curry flavors. These glossy leaves thrive in local gardens and are used fresh or dried, whole or ground. Beyond culinary purposes, karapincha offers medicinal benefits, aiding weight loss and providing protection for liver and heart health.

Cinnamon

cinnamon

Cinnamomum zeylanicum, or Ceylon cinnamon, has deeply shaped Sri Lanka’s history, surpassing colonial eras and socioeconomic impacts. With its prestigious reputation and financial benefits, it stands apart from cassia due to careful bark stripping. Its versatility enriches both culinary delights and medicinal remedies.

Pepper

pepper

Pepper, once integral to Sri Lankan cuisine until chili’s arrival, remains highly sought-after. Black, green, and white variants offer diverse flavors. Sri Lanka’s wet and intermediate zones provide ideal growing conditions for this spice, with origins in South and Southeast Asia.

Turmeric

turmeric

Turmeric, scientifically identified as Curcuma longa, derives as a vibrant orange-yellow powder from the rhizome of a plant. Its primary purpose lies in enhancing the color of diverse cuisines while imparting a slightly bitter and peppery flavor. While Southeast Asia serves as its cultivation hub, its origins can be traced back to Southwest India.