Sri Lanka is a land filled with glorious wonders and the traditional handicraft industries of the nation have been acclaimed at a global level for centuries. The wooden mask industry of Sri Lanka is seen as one of the most alluring and unique industries of the island. When considering the history of the wooden mask handicraft in Sri Lanka, it is apparent that this craft could be thousands of years old. It is Ambalangoda that is extremely popular for traditional wooden masks of Sri Lanka and tourists from all over the world visit the area to find alluring and uniquely inspiring products. Travellers from many parts of Sri Lanka, especially from the South Western region, which includes the Colombo metropolitan area, visit various shops in Ambalangoda as well as retailers in Colombo.
According to scholars and publications pertaining to the traditional art of wooden masks in Sri Lanka, traditional styles of dancing of Sri Lanka, which originated during ancient times, are closely related to the wooden mask handicraft. The three predominant types of Sri Lankan traditional dancing is known as Kandyan, Sabaragamu Dancing, and Low Country Dancing. As evident from their names, these traditional dancing styles or techniques are named after the region in which they were initially carried out. The traditional masks are also different with each region and these regions include Ambalangoda in the South West, as mentioned above, as well as the Hill Country. During ancient times, these masks were built not only as decorative items but as objects that can be used to cure certain diseases.
The most prominent and popular type of wooden mask or product is the "devil" wooden masks. These wooden masks take the form of a large number of different characters and these are used for a number of different occasions such as certain rural ceremonies. Apart from these, wooden masks of other figures are also available and all of the products are made from various types of materials. Timber from the plant known as “Kaduru” is the primary material utilised in creating the Southern traditional masks of Sri Lanka. The process of manufacturing masks includes an initial phase where the material is dried and then cut in to various preferred sizes. Afterwards, the craftsmen then work on the cut pieces in order to produce the masks. The measurements used in the production of these masks are handed down through numerous generations. Finally, the wooden pieces where the carvings are completed are then painted and seasoned.
The colours and styles as well as design patterns utilised in the creation of these traditional wooden masks vary substantially and this results in a diverse range of products. Traditional wooden masks of different shapes, sizes, colours, patterns, materials, and figures are all available for purchase in a multitude of retailers. Most modern purchasers of these masks use them as ornaments and as décor for their households and other places. Similar to the pottery and brassware industries of Sri Lanka, several communities believe that these masks built according to ancient instructions contain mystical powers as well as cures for diseases. This belief was also held during the ancient era of the country and these were used by ancient noblemen as well.
A large number of small-scale stores and large-scale retailers engage in distributing and retailing different types of wooden masks that were built in Sri Lanka. Most of these masks are created according to the olden techniques that have been passed down for generations and therefore the unique and cultural influence of the ancient civilisations of Sri Lanka can be observed on them. Due the uniqueness and wide variety of the traditional wooden masks of Sri Lanka, a large number of tourists from many countries, especially from European and South Asian regions, are highly interested in these products. This has assisted the economic and social facets of communities that are engaged in the traditional wooden mask industry. A number of households, especially in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, are engaged in this handicraft and it can be considered as the primary livelihood of these families.
