Creative arts are an integral part of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage. Sri Lankan art can be traced back over 2,000 years with examples ranging from sophisticated frescoes and wall paintings found in ancient palaces and temples to unique painted wooden masks used in ceremonies, dances and rituals. In the last few centuries, batik has also become an inherent parts of Sri Lanka’s arts and crafts history. These ancient art forms are still very much alive today and the artists who produce them usually do so in small villages out of their own home as a family business, selling their wares on to bigger shops in Colombo. Spend a morning or afternoon with a mask making artist who will give you exclusive access into the homes of the local artists of Ambalangoda, a small coastal city famous for its arts and crafts, where creativity seems to line every street and inspiration is everywhere from the beautiful ancient temples to the stunning coastline where the fishermen sell their catch of the day.