Colombo
Colombo
Shopping
Colombo
SHOPP
iN
g
Sri Lanka Cricket CRiCKET
(Map p64; %267 9568; http://www.srilankacricket.lk; 35
Maitland Pl, Col 7; hticket office 8.30am-5.30pm)
The top sport in Sri Lanka is, without a
doubt, cricket. You can buy tickets for major
games from Sri Lanka Cricket, at the office
near the oval. Major matches are played at
Premadasa Cricket Stadium, northeast of
the centre.7 Shopping
Colombo’s markets, with their vast selec-
tion of everyday goods, are much more
compelling as places to visit than venues for
finding gifts and goods to take home. Other-
wise, Colombo has many stores making that
extra bag essential, and several glossy new
malls are expected to open in the next few
years as the economy booms. In the mean-
time the pick of the city’s (somewhat tired)
malls include Crescat Boulevard (Map p64;
89 galle Rd, Col 3) and Majestic City (Map p68;
galle Rd, Col 4).
Sri Lanka has a thriving weaving indus-
try that produces both hand- and machine-
woven fabrics, and is a major garment
manufacturer. All manner of clothing,
ranging from beachwear to padded jackets,
is sold in Colombo.
Ceylon tea is sold in just about every place
that sells foodstuffs. For the best quality and
selection, however, visit a specialist shop.oBarefoot CRAFTS, BOOKS
(Map p64; %258 0114; http://www.barefootceylon.
com; 704 galle Rd, Col 3; h10am-7pm Mon-Sat,
11am-5pm Sun) Designer Barbara Sansoni’s
beautifully laid-out shop, located in an old
villa, is justly popular for its bright hand-
loomed textiles, which are fashioned into
bedspreads, cushions, serviettes and oth-
er household items (or sold by the metre).
You’ll also find textile-covered notebooks,
lampshades and albums, and a large selec-
tion of stylish, simple clothing.
Within the much-lauded designer shop is
an excellent book department. This is where
you’ll find a carefully selected range of
locally published books, the full range of
Michael Ondaatje’s works and much more.
The courtyard cafe is a lovely stop for some-
thing refreshing.oOdel DEPARTMENT STORE
(Map p64; http://www.odel.lk; 5 Alexandra Pl, Col 7) A
high-profile department store that com-
bines international and top local brands in
one glitzy labyrinth. From fashions to home-wares to cosmetics and gift items, Odel’s
selection is tops. It’s always crowded with
both visitors and the local elite.Paradise Road HOMEWARES
(Map p64; %268 6043; http://www.paradiseroad.lk; 213
Dharmapala Mawatha, Col 7) In addition to a
variety of colonial and Sri Lankan collecta-
bles, you’ll find a good selection of original
homewares and designer items in this high-
style boutique from famous designer Shanth
Fernando.
Elsewhere, the Paradise Road Gallery
Cafe shop adjoins the noted restaurant and
is tightly packed with small, artistic goods.
Both are excellent places to look for small
gifts to take home.Gandhara HOMEWARES
(Map p68; http://www.gandharacrafts.com; 28 Strat-
ford Ave, Col 6) This stylish designer shop
on the trendy stretch of Stratford Ave sells
everything from candles to coffee tables. Gift
items pegged to the season are displayed in
profusion and there is a good selection of
books on Sri Lankan art.House of Fashions C lOTHiNg
(Map p64; %250 4639; http://www.houseoffashions.lk;
cnr RA de Mel Mawatha & Visak Rd, Col 4; h10am-
8pm, till 5pm Mon) A sign of the times: Colom-
bo’s legendary surplus outlet for the nation’s
garment industry has gone upscale and now
has a new multistorey building. It still has
unbeatable textile and clothing prices but
now it’s cultivating its own style too.KT Brown C lOTHiNg
(Map p64; %205 5751; 7 Coniston Pl, Col 7) Noted
local designer Kanchana Thalpawila offers a
range of women’s clothing, from casual garb
to haute couture. Her inspirations are tradi-
tional fabrics and costumes that reflect the
ethnic groups of Sri Lanka.PR C lOTHiNg
(Map p64; %269 9921; 41 Horton Pl, Col 7) The
fashion branch of the Paradise Road design
conglomerate is run by Annika Fernando
and is housed with her sister Saskia Fernan-
do’s eponymous gallery. All the clothing is
from Sri Lankan and Indian designers.Melache C lOTHiNg
(Map p68; %259 5405; 29/3 Visaka Private Rd, Col
4) ‘Where dressing chic is an art’, is the slo-
gan at this shop which stocks the work of a
half dozen local designers. A quick browse
and you’ll see that Colombo’s fashion scene