Batik & Textile Art

Batik is a vibrant art form in Sri Lanka: cotton fabrics are painted with hot wax, dyed, and dewaxed — often in multiple stages to create complex patterns and vivid colors. The motifs range from elephants and tropical birds to abstract patterns and temple scenes.

The best batik workshops are found along the southwest coast and in Kandy. Many also offer courses where you can create your own batik cloth (2–3 hours, from 2,000 LKR / 5.70 €).