Bringing out the best in those beach beauties
View(s):A brother and sister duo share their fascination with sea shells
By Tharooshie Mahahewage
“She sells sea shells on the sea shore” – remember tripping over this tongue twister in school and the fun you had collecting sea shells on a trip to the beach. A family in Mount Lavinia has taken this holiday pastime further – for them Nautilus spirals, cowries, Murex, Volutes, Scallops and Bivalves are all familiar friends that have filled their lives. Visit their place this Christmas and you’ll find their Christmas tree too decorated with sea shells.
Saumya: Turning a childhood hobby to a business enterprise
“My father Rajasooriyage Rupin was the first life guard at Mount Lavinia Hotel and is one of the oldest living divers in Sri Lanka,” says the lady behind “Ceylon Sea Beauty”, Rusini Saumya Rajasooriya explaining how it all began. Her father, a well known diver and member of the Kinross club began collecting shells as a hobby. “It was foreign collectors who taught my father the value of these shells. This hobby ultimately became registered as a business in the 70’s which my brother and I now run,” says Saumya.
They get shells from all around the country from divers, fishermen and collectors and sell or exchange their shells with foreign collectors, says Saumya showing us their fascinating collection which includes- star fish, sea horses, and even land snail shells. “Sri Lanka being an island has perfect environmental conditions for these creatures to give them the perfect colour and shell quality. We have the right temperature, the right light, right saltiness and food.
International collectors value Sri Lankan shells,” she adds. “We have always been doing shells,” says Saumya’s brother, Rukmal Samantha Rajasooriya adding that they are now into shell craft, making ornaments, wall hangers, toys, chains, earrings and bracelets, tooth picks, key tags, curtains, perfumed seashell candles, jewellery boxes, mirrors and even Christmas decorations.
“We have come a long way from the Kandyan dancers made of shells that you would see in the old days. We also do wedding cake boxes from shells, awards and souvenirs and even carved shells to give as personalised gifts,” he adds.
They take pride in the fact that they use the shells in their natural form. “There are many sea shell crafted ornaments and other things in the market.
Pretty jewellery boxes in a row
But all are cut and polished ones. We don’t harm the shell at all. We find two to three different colours of the same mollusc but no two chains would look the same. This is because, no two shells are alike. Even from the same kind, a shell’s pattern is its fingerprint,” says Rukmal.
Their creations can be found at Laksala and IDB but customers also come to them direct to their Mount Lavinia store. “Big mirrors have a big demand,” says Rukmal.
Saumya has a rare collection of sea treasures but she would like to see more people appreciate her interest. “Sea shell collecting is not very popular in Sri Lanka. A genuine collector would know the quality, the price, colour and features of a shell. This is an interesting hobby. I have knowledge,” she says again. “If you show me a shell I can tell you from where it came, and from what depth.”
Saumya’s dream is to open a seashell museum in Sri Lanka. “We need a museum. If someone, even the government can give a building, I can provide the shells. I have an international dealership that will support me. We can share our knowledge and educate those who would like to study this field,” she says passionately.
Saumya and Rukmal can be contacted on 0112714394 and 0114260315, or email: rusini_rajasooriya@gmail.com.
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