Bustling Street Markets

One of the most dynamic and exciting experiences in Sri that would give you the perfect window into the real Sri Lankan life is the marketplaces, flea markets, boutiques, and market stands. You will see men, women, children and families hunt for day-to-day necessities, haggle for fairer prices, and compete for the best meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit on display. Fresh, homegrown produce from both local and remote farms, butchers, and fisheries is brought in daily and is available for you.

In addition to the highly dynamic nature, a very interesting aspect of these marketplaces and boutiques is the level of diversity of the available produce and behavior that you would get to see depending on where in Sri Lanka you are. This diversity exposes the contrasting variations in economies from one region of Sri Lanka to the other, which can be attributed to the variety in culture, available resources, and the environment.

Starting from Dambulla, one of the largest trading hubs in Sri Lanka for traditional Chena cultivation. Chena cultivation is one of the earliest forms of cultivation in Sri Lanka, extending as far back as 5000 years, where forest lands are cleared for cultivation, allowed to regrow, and reused. As such, in Dambulla markets you will get to see a wide variety of greens such as gotu kola, ash plantains, chilies, pumpkin, bitter gourds, snake gourds, and different strains of rice. From Dambulla to Matale, with the changing topology and weather, there are also changes in the local produce. Here you will see an exquisite range of spices on offer, such as cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, and more. From Matale, as we head towards central Sri Lanka to Nuwara Eliya, the heart of the hill country, you will see homegrown produce you will not get anywhere else in the country, such as beets, carrots, leeks, cabbages, and strawberries. From Nuwara Eliya as we move down south, past Ella, you will start to see completely different forms of local produce. Here Jackfruit and Pork are the local specialties. You will get to see several boutiques serving up baby jackfruit curry, or ‘Polos,’ and pork curry with cooked flatbread, or ‘Rotti.’ Then from Ella, you move further south, past Thanamalwila, a perfect spot for the magic herb enthusiast; you arrive at Mathara, where the local favorite is curd, or fermented buffalo milk, served up with a sweet treacle extracted from the Kithul trees. This is just a small taste of the diversity of cultures and economies in Sri Lanka.