Quick answer
The best souvenirs for Australian cricket fans in Sri Lanka are an official Sri Lankan team shirt or cap, a flag, Ceylon tea, spices, carved masks from Ambalangoda, batik and Galle's beeralu lace. Avoid coral, shells, turtle shell, ivory and unofficial gems from touts. Australia's biosecurity rules mean food, tea, spices, seeds and wooden items must be declared on arrival, and duty-free alcohol allowances apply to arrack.
Key takeaways
- Official Sri Lankan team shirts and caps are sold through Sri Lanka Cricket's outlets and licensed sellers.
- Ceylon tea is the classic souvenir, best bought from estates or specialist tea shops.
- Ambalangoda, about 45 minutes north of Galle, is the home of Sri Lanka's carved masks.
- Australia's biosecurity rules require food, tea, spices, seeds and wooden items to be declared on arrival.
- Coral, shells, turtle shell and ivory should never be bought.
Cricket souvenirs
The obvious souvenir is a Sri Lankan team shirt or cap. Official merchandise is sold through Sri Lanka Cricket's outlets and licensed sellers, sometimes at the grounds on match days. Cheap copies are sold in markets; they are fine as fun buys, but not the real thing.
Sri Lankan flags, scarves and small drums are sold outside grounds on match days, and many Australian fans buy a flag to wave alongside their own. A printed scorecard or a ticket stub from a Galle Test is a good keepsake.
Some local makers sell cricket bats made from Sri Lankan or imported willow, but check the quality before buying.
- →Official shirts and caps from licensed sellers.
- →Flags and scarves outside grounds.
- →Keep the ticket stub.
Tea and spices
Ceylon tea is the classic souvenir from Sri Lanka. Buy it from hill-country estates, such as those near Nuwara Eliya, Ella and Kandy, or from specialist tea shops in Colombo and Galle Fort, where you can taste before you buy. Loose-leaf and gift boxes pack easily.
Spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and pepper, are sold in markets and spice gardens. Prices in spice gardens can be high, so compare with markets.
Tea and spices must be declared on arrival in Australia, and commercially packaged, sealed products are usually easier to clear.
- →Tea: estates and specialist shops.
- →Spices: markets, compare prices.
- →Declare tea and spices in Australia.
Masks, batik and lace
Sri Lanka's crafts make good gifts. Carved and painted masks from Ambalangoda, about 45 minutes north of Galle, are used in traditional dance, and are sold in workshops where you can see them being made. Batik, wax-dyed cloth, is sold as sarongs, wall hangings and shirts.
Galle is known for beeralu lace, made by hand on bobbins, a craft introduced in colonial times. Lacquerware, brassware and handloom textiles are also widely sold.
Lankan Stays & Trails includes a stop at an Ambalangoda mask workshop on Galle trips for fans who want to see the craft.
- →Masks: Ambalangoda workshops.
- →Batik: sarongs and shirts.
- →Beeralu lace: Galle.
What to avoid
Avoid buying coral, shells, turtle shell, ivory and products from wild animals, which damage wildlife and are often illegal to export or import. Avoid gems sold by touts or on unofficial tours, which may be fake or overpriced; buy gems only from reputable, licensed dealers if at all.
Avoid any souvenirs that show the Buddha in a disrespectful way, such as on clothing or as decorative items, which can cause offence.
- →No coral, shells or turtle shell.
- →No ivory or wildlife products.
- →Gems only from licensed dealers.
Australian biosecurity and customs
Australia has strict biosecurity rules. Food, tea, spices, seeds, plant material and wooden items must be declared on your incoming passenger card. Declared items are inspected, and many are allowed, but undeclared items can bring fines.
Duty-free allowances apply to alcohol, including arrack, and to tobacco. Check the Australian Border Force and Department of Agriculture websites for current rules before you fly home.
- →Declare food, tea, spices and wood.
- →Check alcohol allowances.
- →Check current rules before flying.
Where to shop
In Colombo, Pettah's markets, the Dutch Hospital and the Galle Road's design shops cover most souvenirs. In Galle Fort, small shops sell lace, tea, jewellery and art. Kandy's central market and craft shops sell spices, batik and wood carvings.
Bargaining is normal in markets but not in fixed-price shops.
Frequently asked questions
What souvenirs should cricket fans buy in Sri Lanka?
Popular souvenirs include an official Sri Lankan team shirt or cap, a flag, Ceylon tea, spices, carved masks from Ambalangoda, batik and Galle's beeralu lace. Keep your ticket stub or a scorecard from a Galle Test as a keepsake. Buy official merchandise from licensed sellers.
Where can you buy a Sri Lankan cricket shirt?
Official Sri Lankan team shirts and caps are sold through Sri Lanka Cricket's outlets and licensed sellers, sometimes at the grounds on match days. Cheap copies are sold in markets and outside grounds. Check the official Sri Lanka Cricket website for current outlets.
Can you bring Sri Lankan tea into Australia?
You can usually bring Sri Lankan tea into Australia, but it must be declared on your incoming passenger card. Commercially packaged, sealed tea is usually cleared easily after inspection. Check the Department of Agriculture website for current rules before you fly.
Do you need to declare wooden souvenirs in Australia?
Wooden items, including masks and carvings, must be declared on arrival in Australia, because they can carry pests. Most are cleared after inspection, but some may need treatment. Undeclared items can bring fines, so always declare them.
How much arrack can you bring into Australia?
Arrack counts towards Australia's duty-free alcohol allowance for travellers, which limits how much you can bring without paying duty. Check the Australian Border Force website for the current allowance before you buy. Pack bottles carefully in checked luggage.
Should you buy gems in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is famous for gems, but buy only from reputable, licensed dealers, if at all. Avoid gems sold by touts or on unofficial tours, which may be fake or overpriced. Ask for certificates and receipts, and never buy under pressure.
What should you not buy in Sri Lanka?
Do not buy coral, shells, turtle shell, ivory or products from wild animals, which damage wildlife and are often illegal to export or import. Avoid gems from touts, and souvenirs that show the Buddha in a disrespectful way.