The sidewalks of Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha in Colombo 07, alongside and opposite the National Art Gallery, come alive every month with Sri Lanka’s popular open-air art fair ‘Kala Pola’. This colourful event, offer visitors a myriad of artistic creations representing a kaleidoscope of talent and skill of the Island’s artists and sculptors. The event changed through the changing light of the day, bringing a varied palette of colour, sights and sounds to the city of Colombo, until dusk finally settles over its skyline. Kala Pola is a key platform for artists and sculptors to launch and build their careers. Not only does it help them build a steady clientele, but also promotes art as a lucrative and professional career. Because of Kala Pola, many artists have become successful professionals: some have even gone on to launch careers in the international arena.
In Sri Lanka, Handy Craft offers the widest selection of handicrafts. Prices are significantly lower than in other stores. The majority of the items are of good quality. From masks to simple embroideries as well as most of the souvenirs the tourists finds interesting. In Western province the handcraft culture has the deeper roots dating back to the ancient kingdom eras. Batik – Traditional clothing with beautiful patterns and pictures, handlooms with exceptional embroidery arts, to wooden crafts of various souvenirs and even little trinkets can be found in Western Province without a doubt.
Salusala is in Colombo's Jawatta area. In accordance with government trade policy and industry standards, Lanka Salusala Limited has developed a strategic "Five Year Project Plan." Established in 1967, Lanka Salusala is a state-owned handloom enterprise.
Traditional mask making is another unique industry in Sri Lanka. These handmade masks depict folklore and traditional way of life that is no-longer in wide spectrum in the country. Unfortunately, the it is an industry which is going downhill. The Mawgama Mask making is yet surviving of this tradition.