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.