sri-lanka-13-full-pdf-ebook.pdf

Colombo

Colombo

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Colombo

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is flourishing. Better, you can easily find a
unique frock for under Rs 2000.

Sri Lanka
Cashew Corporation FOOD
(Map p64; 518 galle Rd, Col 3) Cashews were
brought by the Portuguese to Sri Lanka from
Brazil in the 16th century. They’ve clearly
found the climate agreeable as the nuts are
now a major export item. This small shop is
packed full of fulsome cashews of a size and
quality that are usually hard to find, espe-
cially in that dodgy bag of mixed nuts.

Raux Brothers HOMEWARES, ANTiQUES
(The Colonial; Map p64; %259 4494; http://www.raux
brothers.com; 137 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Col
4) This 55-year-old design firm has a
gorgeous showroom in a large, beautiful
colonial storefront, which stocks an im-
pressive range of furniture and artworks
crafted from wood. There are genuine an-
tiques and handcrafted new pieces. This is
possibly the best antiques house in the city.

Laksala HANDiCRAFTS
(www.laksala.gov.lk) Large government-run
chain of arts & crafts and souvenir shops
popular with groups. With a main store
(Map p64; 215 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Col 7;
h9am-9pm) in Cinnamon Gardens, plus a
National Museum store (Map p64; Nation-
al Museum, Nelum Pokuna Rd), it offers cheap
carved elephants, well-crafted handicrafts,
and handmade jewelry and clothing com-
pete for attention.

Sri Lanka Tea Board Shop TEA
(Map p64; 574 galle Rd, Col 3) A large but un-
flashy shop which has many of the smaller
brands of Ceylon tea that can be hard to
find. It also has the full range of top brands
such as Mackwoods and all sorts of tea-
related merchandise.

Mlesna Tea Centre TEA
(www.mlesnateas.com) High-end boutiques
at Crescat Boulevard (Map p64; 89 galle Rd,
Crescat Boulevard, Col 3) and Majestic City
(Map p68; galle Rd, Majestic City, Col 4), with teas
and tea-making wares in addition to the
house-brand teas.

Noritake Showroom CHiNA
(Map p64; http://www.noritake.lk; 546-A galle Rd, Col 3)
The famous Japanese creator of fine china-
ware has had factories in Sri Lanka since

1972. At this lovely showroom, you can
      browse the company’s products, which are

priced much cheaper here than you’ll find

post-export.

Lakpahana ARTS & CRAFTS

(Map p64; %269 8211; http://www.lakpahana.lk; 14 Phil-

lip gunawardena Mawatha, Col 3) The place for

mass-produced carved elephants in bulk so

you can show everyone back home you care.

Traditional souvenirs are sold in profusion

and this vast store is a cathedral of uninten-

tional kitsch.

Arpico SUPERSTORE

(Map p64; Hyde Park Corner, Col 2) A huge store

that’s good for replacing almost anything

you left at home. Imported foods (get your

Tim Tams here), cosmetics, sunscreen, a

pharmacy, travel gadgets like plug adapters

and much, much more. It has a good, casual

cafe where you can hone your shopping list.

Dilmah Tea Shop TEA

Sri Lanka’s top tea brand has its own posh

shops, at Cinnamon Gardens (Map p64; Odel,

5 Alexandra Pl, Col 7), Crescat Boulevard (Map

p64; 89 galle Rd, Crescat Boulevard, Col 3) and

Majestic City (Map p68; galle Rd, Majestic City,

Col 4).

Vijitha Yapa Bookshop BOOKS

Branches at Crescat Boulevard (Map p64;

%011 551 0100; 89 galle Rd, Crescat Boulevard,

Col 3) and Unity Plaza (Map p68; %011 259

6960; galle Rd, Unity Plaza, Col 4) stock a com-

prehensive collection of foreign and local

novels, guidebooks and pictorial tomes on

Sri Lanka.

PETTAH’S SHOPPING

STREETS

Pettah’s market stalls and shops sell

seemingly everything. When plunging

into the age-old district’s commercial

madness, it’s handy to note that many

thoroughfares have their own shopping

specialities:

1st Cross St at Bankshall St

plastic flowers

2nd Cross St at Bankshall St

lace & ribbons

2nd Cross St jewellery

Gabo’s Lane at 5th Cross St

Ayurvedic medicines

Dam St bicycles

Sea St sapphires