Shopping in Sri Lanka

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 The name Barefoot represents what is spontaneous and in touch with the earth. Barefoot is about people. It is a story of simplicity. We are about the craft of weaving and the art of design. Our founder Barbara Sansoni’s designs of brilliant colour and simple geometry have given our cloth its internationally recognizable character.

In the early 1960s, Barbara Sansoni, an artist, was invited to design for women learning to weave in a convent workshop just north of Colombo. Today, Barefoot, the company she founded, has a band of dedicated designers providing training, designs, and raw materials. There are no factories and no production lines; each worker is responsible for the quality of his or her final product.

We primarily weave cotton (along with a small collection of silk and cotton cloth) from which we make furnishings, household linens and fine cloth for clothes. The rest of our workers are needlewomen who, from this hand-woven cloth make bags, clothes, soft furniture, linen, soft toys. 

 Buddhi Batiks is an ethical fashion business which empowers women. Some of the female artisans have been in the workshop since the company’s inception in 1970. 

The workshop, located in the village of Koswadiya on the north-western coast of Sri Lanka, plays an integral role in their economy. Buddhi Batiks makes a concerted effort to hire individuals from and around the village. 

This enables the workers and artisans, women who have families to take care, to remain close to their homes. There is no age discrimination, with artisans aged from 18 to 65. The current workshop manager joined in 1970 as a worker; she is now 63 years old. 

The workshop allows flexible hours for our older artisans, and values their experience and skills in training the younger artisans.

 With an impressive assortment of top international brands such as Aldo and Desigual, a revamped and fully-loaded ODEL Sports department comprising Nike, Reebok, Adidas, and Canterbury, Lingerie, Swimwear, Menswear, Wider selection of shoes and bags, Luggage and a Denim Lab featuring a wide array of international denim brands, this new extension is set to transform the ODEL customer shopping experience and take Sri Lanka’s most iconic shopping destination to new heights 

Sri Lankan family tea company Dilmah, founded by Merrill J. Fernando, today the world's most experienced teamaker, has championed quality, authenticity and variety in tea.

 Dilmah pioneered the concept of Single Origin Tea in 1988 when the family company went against industry trends to declare its commitment to authenticity. Garden fresh, unblended tea is a hallmark of Dilmah and offers a unique taste of unblended Ceylon Tea packed at source.

Dilmah is Ethical Tea, in that all packaging profits are retained in Sri Lanka and fund the MJF Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation. We believe that Business is a Matter of Human Service.

The Dilmah online Shop brings a collection of the best tea in UK with natural goodness. Dilmah Tea offers the best Ceylon Tea in UK rich in flavour and taste. 

 Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board was established on 17th January 1983, under the National Crafts Council & allied Institutions Act No. 35 of 1982.

The Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board better known as “LAKSALA” is a state corporation under the Ministry of Rural Industries and Self Employment Promotion is set up to preserve and develop traditional skill of the craftsmen. The Board is dealing with nearly 3500 leading master craftsmen/entrepreneurs who are producing handicrafts item at Rural/Cottage industry level. "LAKSALA" is the only state owned handicraft marketing organization in Sri Lanka deals with provision of training to craftsmen and marketing and export promotion of handicrafts. 

The board handles 140 Training centers, 23 sales outlets and 14 provincial purchasing points for the purpose  of achieving it's objectives.

 COMING SOON

Whether you’re just a beginner or an expert, you’ll find the conditions that make it perfect for you. There are two seasons in the Maldives West monsoon and North east monsoon. 

The water is warm all year round averaging about 28 degrees Celsius, eliminating the need for a wetsuit. With lazily scattered coral reefs housing the most beautiful marine life, our wide Lagoons have a sandy bottom, with depth varying between 1m to 10m. 

Wind Surfing conditions are perfect for beginners or children, as the water tends to be flat and the winds light. Between the Monsoons there is always a change over period that brings unsettled winds. There may be no wind days, strong wind days or a bit of everything all in one day. There’s something for everyone.

 Locations and Seasons are -  

Negombo & Bentota - December to April

Trincomalee - May to October  

  Prices available on request. 

Whether you plan on exploring Hammerhead Point or participate in a turtle quest, Maldives is without a doubt a haven for snorkellers and divers alike. Flaunting an underwater setting that is among the best in the world, the country offers many amazing marine creatures for you to observe.

Surrounded by seemingly endless azure ocean waters, the Maldives provides the perfect playground in which to take part in a myriad of water sports. Start your day with a dose of vitamin SEA when you stay at Heritance Aarah Maldives. 

Snorkelling resorts such as ours are sure to fill your life with adventures, below and above the sea.

Taking a plunge into the waters of the Maldives donning a snorkel and some flippers will give you the opportunity of witnessing underwater wonders that are sure to leave you mesmerised. Snorkelling in this island is a recreational pastime that will allow you to experience the remarkable natural treasures to be found beneath the surface of the shimmering waters.

Snorkelling in this idyllic part of the world will be a pleasure that everyone can enjoy as it is an uncomplicated pursuit which is accessible to all. 

Both adults and children can take part in this simple and undemanding activity. In fact, you will be able to take your first steps in this water sport even if you are not a highly skilled swimmer.

   Locations and Seasons in Sri Lanka are -  Mirissa, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa & Bentota - November to April

Trincomalee - May to October 

  Prices available on request. 

 If you are a thrill seeker, love water whether in the sea or lagoon and enjoy an adrenaline rush then you would find Jet skiing an ideal activity. Think of this aquatic craft as a water borne motor bike with skiis that allows you to skim the water at very high speeds, hence the rush of adrenaline.

Skiing against and with the waves, you will be lifted above the water leaving you flying through the sea spray giving you an exhilarating experience of a life time.

 Location - Bentota  

Season  - Non Seasonal (Available all year round)  

  Prices available on request. 

 For those of you in need of a good stress-free ride, a boat trip would be the ideal deal.

One of the splendours of our chosen boat ride sites in Negombo, Bentota, Beruwela, Trincomalee and Galle are its scenic seascape and surrounding wildlife that spans the breadth and width of these beautiful regions.

This slow boat ride is nothing but an opportunity to explore your surrounding environment and it's breadth taking natural beauty. You will experience the enchanting mangroves, explore different species of fish and coastal marine life. This would also be an ideal opportunity for both amateur and professional photographers to capture a variety of native birds. If this sounds like an activity you would enjoy, then you have made the right choice.

 Location -  Bentota

  Season - Non Seasonal (Available all year round)   

  Prices available on request. 

Banana Boat Riding is THE water sport for families. If you are on vacation with your loved ones and want to have some fun together in Sri Lankan waters, then a Banana Boat Ride is an excellent choice you will not regret making.

 If you are wondering what a Banana Ride is, it is simply where you, your friends and family are sat atop a long air-filled banana shaped boat, which is towed around by a high speed boat. It is a safe, yet exciting and fun filled water activity that would give you an exhilarating experience to remember.

 Location -  Bentota

  Season - Non Seasonal (Available all year round)  

  Prices available on request. 

The orphanage was originally founded to provide care and protection to the many orphaned elephants found in the jungles of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Sri Lanka can be reached via the A1 Colombo – Kandy main road. A turn off at the 82 km post at Kegalle and turn left at the karadupana junction and it’s leads you to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

The closest railway station is at Rambukkana 2km away from Pinnawala.

The main site also has a few restaurants and refreshment stands, and management buildings, including sleeping shelters and Medical facilities.

The elephant bathing and viewing area along the Oya River is directly opposite on the west side of the highway.

Tourists can observe the bathing elephants from the broad riverbank as the herd interacts socially, bathing and playing. The orphanage is open to the public daily, and all admission fees are used to look after the elephants. 

Visitors to the park can view the care and daily routine of the elephants, such as bottle feeding of elephant calves, feeding of all other elephants, and bathing in the Ma Oya (River).

We at Pearl Holidays UK strongly believe in ethics and Animal Welfare, hence 2% of your add on fee for this activity will be paid towards the welfare of these elephants.

 Location -  Pinnawala

  Season - Non Seasonal (Available all year round)  

  Prices available on request. 

 Kite Surfng is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. It combines power kite flying with wake-boarding to create a spectacularly unique sport.

 Our professional Kite Surfing instructors are ready to teach everyone what Kite Surfing is all about. 

The pristine lagoons of Maldives with its flat water offer the best conditions for beginners and professionals alike to sail across the water on a kite-board similar to a wake-board or a small surfboard, with or without foot-straps or bindings.

 Come and join us as we have the best professionals in the industry that are here to help you fly. 

 Location - Kalpitiya

 Seasons  -  December to March and May to October

  Prices available on request. 

Faster than a sailboat, riding the waters on a catamaran is an experience that is parallel to creating art, with the refreshing and free-flowing wind, and sails instead of brushes. Give your holiday a unique add-on by taking some time away from the beaches and golden sands.

Catamaran sailing in the Maldives will set your soul free on the seas. With the guidance of an experienced crew on board, you will be able to enjoy a hassle-free sailing experience, perfect for discovering some of the country’s stunning atolls. 

Spend time with your loved ones amidst nature and the most amazing views the Maldives has to offer.

 Locations and Seasons are -

 Mirissa, Unawatuna, Galle & Weligama -

November to April

Trincomalee - May to October

  Prices available on request. 

 Fly boarding is one of the newest action water sports in the industry. The output which would usually propel the watercraft is redirected to two jets on the bottom of the fly-board, creating lift.

 Our trained, professional fly-board operator will be controlling the throttle of the wave runner, so all you have to do is fly.

  Location -  Bentota  

Season - Non Seasonal (Available all year round)    

  Prices available on request.