Saturday Feb 14, 2026
Saturday Feb 14, 2026
Saturday, 3 August 2013 00:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
This trendy boutique conceived under the Divi Neguma social development scheme is built on one and a half acres of land and has been designed to preserve the layout and national heritage depicted through the National Museum. Cabinet has approved Rs. 220 million for the Laksala Museum Gallery Café. An approximate sum of Rs. 185 million has been spent for the first phase. The balance will be utilised for future expansions and necessary developments.
“Tourism is a vital part of our economy. In order to attract tourists to the country the gift and souvenir industry should be at an international standard. Laksala has done a wonderful job with the gallery. This outlet which is located on the museum premises has preserved the characteristics of the museum. As most tourists visit the Museum during their stay in Sri Lanka, opening a Laksala outlet in the same premises allows them to purchase culturally significant souvenirs as keepsakes of their holiday,” said Chief Guest Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, after his tour of the Laksala Museum Gallery Café. He went onto mention that the expansion of Laksala also encourages the traditional artisans in the country.
Over 30,000 items supplied from around the island are available in the store. These include products ranging from woodcraft, brassware, leather, ceramics, batiks, handlooms and many more. The fully air-conditioned sales outlet also has a cultural display unit, a gem gallery and facilities such as a rest area, coffee shop and a restaurant for tourists.
Issuing a statement on this memorable occasion Laksala Chairman and CEO Anil Koswatte said: “Our goal is to make Laksala the ultimate and most sought-after souvenir boutique among all Sri Lankans and foreigners. We see the opening of the new store as an initiative to serve our foreign tourists better. In expanding our chain, we not only seek to generate higher revenue for the national economy, but also to uplift the living standards of more village craftsmen and small scale suppliers.”
The statement further stated that, Laksala which was once an under-performing entity, due to financial hardships and management issues, was considered an inactive Government organisation by 2008. However the Laksala team made a comeback in 2010, with a profit of Rs. 6 million and then a profit of Rs. 49 million and Rs. 65 million in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The forecasted profit for 2016 is Rs. 200 million.
A five-year strategic development plan for the tourism sector in Sri Lanka has been implemented based on the Mahinda Chinthana development policy framework. The objective of the plan is to serve the needs of all stakeholders and ensure the economic benefits among a cross section of Sri Lankan society such as; craftsmen, designers, artisans, decorators, and raw material suppliers. As the number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka continues to increase, so will the need for a steady supply of diverse Sri Lankan souvenirs. Establishing Laksala island-wide will cater to this need.
Laksala intends to create opportunities for rural producers to enter mega markets, thereby enhancing the growth potential of the gift and souvenir category of Sri Lanka and adding value to the tourism sector. In working towards making Laksala a household name in Sri Lanka, the Laksala team plans to open a store in the Galle Magalla tourist centre and revamp the existing outlet in Kandy in the next couple of months.
Laksala was inaugurated in 1964, by then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Its vision is to be the leader in the gift and souvenir category in the island. Today Laksala operates through 18 branches located island wide and offers the widest variety of Sri Lankan handicrafts and brands/items synonymous to Sri Lanka, to locals and mainly to tourists.
Laksala has received positive endorsements in the Financial Ministry’s annual report for 2012 on the profitable turn-around. In 2013, Laksala has established showrooms down both sides of the Southern Highway, extending the floor area at the Bandaranaike International Airport from 80 sq. ft. to 960 sq. ft., and opening new showrooms in Pinnawala and the Ja-ela K-Zone.
