What did Sir Francis Bacon, an English philosopher and statesman, mean when he said, Reading makes a full man? This statement refers to the suggestion that by reading, a person can fill the mind with knowledge about a variety of topics. Well! During the period when Bacon lived, there was no internet, and one had to make a conscious attempt to read. In the modern era we live in today, a bookshop is still a sprout of knowledge, and Sarasavi Bookshop has offered a bastion of knowledge to a generation of readers.
The early years of Sarasavi Bookshop
Sarasavi bookshop commenced business over 70 years ago in the rural township of Padukka and in 1973, found its permanent home in Nugegoda. The 1970s were a period of import controls and the bookshop established a good reputation catering to school booklists and stationery. I still recall visiting this Bookshop in the 1970s and 1980s to buy books for the new school term. Back then, the majority of their customers comprised parents and children who came there to get school stationery.
Back then, during the year-end holidays, the bookshop was packed to the brim with customers. Indeed, there was no incentive to leisurely browse books and magazines. In fact, the counters were manned by a few salesmen who attended to the needs of customers. During that era, Sarasavi gained prominence as people living in bordering towns had to come to Nugegoda to shop for their needs. Therefore, it was natural for these people to visit Sarasavi Bookshop for books and stationery.
Sarasavi bookshop in the modern era
The 1980s and 1990s marked a significant shift in Sri Lanka’s educational landscape. Parents prioritized education, and students pursued knowledge with great enthusiasm. As a result, the demand for both local and imported books soared. Sarasavi Bookshop responded by expanding its operations, becoming a trusted source for a wide range of readers. To meet this growing need, Sarasavi Bookshop opened new branches, extending its reach nationwide. Their dedication to offering diverse genres attracted readers of all ages and backgrounds. In 1997, Sarasavi received the prestigious Gurulugomi Award for the Best Bookshop in Colombo and its Suburbs. This recognition solidified their position as a leader in the Sri Lankan literary world.
Today, Sarasavi’s bookshop network spans across major towns in Sri Lanka. Each branch provides a curated selection of books tailored to the community it serves. Their latest store at One Galle Face, located in Shangri-La Colombo, focuses on high-end, aspirational readers. This branch appeals to both local and international customers seeking premium literary experiences. Sarasavi Bookshop has successfully blended tradition with modernity. They continue to serve the literary needs of a diverse audience, ensuring their presence in Sri Lanka’s literary scene.
What sets Sarasavi bookshop apart?
A striking feature of any Sarasavi Bookshop is its neatness. While not meeting international standards, Sarasavi stores are well-presented. Lighting, space, and book organization are all pleasant creating a rewarding experience for visitors. Sarasavi offers an extensive collection of Sri Lankan and foreign publications across multiple disciplines catering to diverse literary tastes. As a result, you will notice a wide range of customers—from young children and parents to academics—browsing through the selections.
Sarasavi Publishers
Sarasavi Publishers, the publishing arm of Sarasavi group began operations in the year 2000. During that period, and afterward, Sinhala and English Sri Lankan writers came to the forefront with noteworthy works of literature. Incidentally, the publishing unit gave an impetus to these aspiring writers to showcase their talents. At the same time, there was a demand for an ingenious Sri Lankan style of literature. On the whole, the publishing unit produces over 100 titles per year and is much sought after by readers. Over the years, their titles grew in stature and today, one can purchase novels, short stories, translations, fiction and more.
Sarasavi online
The internet boom resulted in readers looking to buy their favourite books online. Obviously, this was the trend globally and Sri Lanka is slowly realizing the benefits of e-commerce. After all, from a global perspective, Amazon is still one of the best-known names in the industry to buy international books. Overall, its website is extremely user-friendly, Amazon ships internationally, and they have an extensive selection of books of all types. Uniquely, this makes it easy to find a particular book in no time. As has been noted, from a Sri Lankan perspective, this is not so, as ordering books from overseas is a tedious process. In brief, the majority of Sinhala titles cannot be found on Amazon.
To meet this gradual increase in demand from online customers, Sarasavi started an online portal called Sarasavi. lk. Here, you can purchase both local and imported books. As can be seen, it is very user-friendly and has attracted local customers and Sri Lankans living overseas. As a result, when you order from their online portal they will deliver your order to any address in Sri Lanka. Moreover, they will ship orders to overseas customers. Thus, their website has been a boom to thousands of Sri Lankans living overseas as they use the Sarasavi online portal to gift books to their near and dear in Sri Lanka.
Sarasavi Warehouse, Nugegoda. Tel: 011 2852519
Sarasavi Warehouse is located towards the Nugegoda railway crossing before the Nugegoda post office. Obviously, it is not a warehouse but a place to buy a treasure trove of books unsold at their main bookshop and branches. Further, it sells second-hand books in very good condition. On the whole, this is a shop that demands careful browsing, but patience will be rewarded. Generally speaking, the main attraction here is the affordable prices you pay for books of value. Although the books are not well organized you can find English and Sinhala books on various topics. By and large, one feature lacking here is a few chairs to sit and read before before purchasing a book. However, I will give this place a thumbs up as I can find a decent book to my budget at any time.
Find the Best International School Books at Sarasavi Bookshop
Sarasavi Bookshop offers a wide selection of international school books, catering to various curriculums and grade levels. Whether you’re looking for Cambridge, Edexcel, or IB textbooks, Sarasavi ensures quality and availability. Moreover, the store regularly updates its collection to meet the latest syllabus changes. This guarantees that students always have access to the most current resources. In addition, Sarasavi has knowledgeable staff to guide you in choosing the right books. Conveniently, the store also offers online shopping and delivery services, making it easier for parents and students.
Parting words
Sarasavi Bookshop has created a reputation and persona for offering books, magazines, and stationery at affordable prices to suit Sri Lankans. Its network of branches located in strategic towns gives easy access to customers. Additionally, their branch network is a platform for various other publishers in Sri Lanka to offer their books to a diverse set of readers. Uniquely, the Sarasavi is a name is synonymous with literary awards, and its involvement with Colombo International Book Fair is legendary.
