Business
Lakpahana offers “handcrafted gifts from the finest artisans on earth”
Lakpahana is a traditional Sri Lankan gifts and souvenir shop located in Colombo 07, across from the Colombo Race Course in the heart of Colombo. It was started in 1973 by Deshamanya Mrs. Siva Obeyesekere founder of Laksala.
“Lakpahana for more than 48 years has offered shelter, patronage and market sustenance for handicrafts. Sri Lanka well known for its fine craftsmanship which originated back in the day when the majestic kings and queens required ostentatiously sculptured workmanship in their great palaces and gardens. This form of luxury was appreciated not only by royalty, even the commoners found the intricately designed artifacts beautiful,” a Lakpahana news release said.
“Today Lakpahana holds many of these beautifully handcrafted handicrafts supplied by fourth generation craftsmen from all over the island. Lakpahana is one of the largest and most exclusive stores of its kind in Sri Lanka. It brings together the best quality of all Sri Lanka’s arts and crafts under one roof.”
“Here you will find beautiful handicraft with over 2500 years of tradition, and modern Sri Lankan crafts and designs. It represents a special bond of commercialism combined with traditionalism offering service to the producer (craftsman) and consumer,” it added.
Lakpahana is a store filled to the brim with unique handmade products such as:
Jewellery
This highly traditional art is characterized by its elegance and simplicity. There are two types of jewellery, namely the Kandyan and Low Country jewellery. Both are available at Lakpahana.
Masks
These represent an extraordinary cultural phenomenon of vivid expression and virtual meaning that can be traced back to centuries. There are over 150 different virtual and folk theatre of human, divine, mythological, demonic and animal characters portrayed in these masks. Lakpahana has the largest collection of masks in one location.
Rush and Reed ware
Basket and mat weaving made of popular indigenous leaves make this craft decorative as well as functional one.
Lacquer ware
This craft involves a careful process of fusing in colours with pigment obtained from resins. In the process of lacquering brushes are not used, neither are the articles coated over with lacquer.
Wood carvings
Wood is a popular medium for handcrafting and the process displays a unique style where the entire handicraft is made wood. There are ancient as well as modern designs available at Lakpahana.
In addition there is also a wide range of handicrafts in metal ware including brass, copper, pewter and silver. Some are set with semi precious gems, such as trinket boxes and trays.
Other crafts include clay based handicrafts, coconut – shell ware, coconut husk items, coir and fibre based products, educational toys, cloth dolls, puppets, paper pulp ware, traditional dumbara rata (design), sea shell ware, wooden panel paintings, table linen hand woven with delicate beeralu lace and crocheted lace products made of eco-friendly materials, handloom textiles, batik wall hangings and stylish dresses, leather and reproduction of antiques are available. All articles displayed in quality perfect and sell at fairly reasonable prices.
Searching for the most delicious and freshly made traditional treats? Head over to Lakpahana and indulge. Choosing from a variety of items such as stuffed veralu, jaggery toffee, kalu dodol and unduwel. The items are made fresh on a daily basis. Everyday favourites such as murukku, marshmallows, aasmi, kokis, kavum and mung kavum are available in addition to neatly wrapped packages of love cake, bibikkan and jaggery cake.
“These are just perfect for the festive season or even as a gift. Cake orders can be placed too. Tala bola, coconut and milk toffees stock the shelves in addition to the other yummy treats. Other items available at Lakpahana include jars of bees’ honey (50ml/100ml), lime pickle, seeni sambol, pickle & chutneys,” the release said.
Lakpahana is open from 9.30 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sundays.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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