Colombo: A Shopper’s Delight

Sri Lanka offers an interesting array of items for shoppers. Gems and jewellery, including the Sri Lankan blue sapphire, garments, batiks, the famous Ceylon Tea and handicrafts are popular shopping delights among the tourists. Handloom fabric materials, leather products, furniture, reproduction of antiques and ceramic are also popular with visitors of fine taste who appreciate the very best. There are many places to find bargains in Colombo. Modern shopping malls and specialty stores carry high quality goods at very affordable prices. If you are looking for an even greater bargain, without the surroundings, try your bargaining with the many street vendors and outdoor markets (such as in the Pettah area and across from the Fort Railway Station). Quality is generally assured at the higher end stores, if purchasing at other locations, use your judgment when buying expensive items. Though a big bulk of all manufactured products, such as women's and children's apparel, men's or boys' suits, winter wear and lingerie are scooped up by foreign buyers from Europe and the United States of America, the local clientele still get to enjoy high-quality clothes and accessories carefully selected for the local market. Sri Lanka's garment manufacturing industry is one of the biggest and best in the world, supplying branded high street fashion to clothing stores here and abroad.

 

 

While you are there, remember to shop for gems, especially sapphires, moonstone and cats-eye. Other items to look for include hand-woven textiles, sarongs, fabrics, brassware, wood carvings, handmade lace (in Galle), ceremonial masks (in Ambalangoda), ceramic drinking gourds, batiks, bronze and tea. (Tea varies in quality, so if you are buying in bulk, ask for a tasting.) Do not buy any souvenirs made of coral - creation of these items contributes to the destruction of the reefs. In Colombo, a store called Barefoot sells a huge assortment of products made from brightly coloured, hand-woven, naturally-dyed fabric. It's expensive by Sri Lankan standards, but the quality of the work justifies the expense. If a tout or guide brings you into a shop, you will usually end up paying more. Shop owners raise their prices to pay the tout's commission for bringing you there. Bargaining is expected, especially outside of government shops. Souvenir shopping in government-operated stores, using hard currency, is a tame experience. Go out and bargain with the local merchants: They are good-natured and sometimes loud, but the encounter is often a better souvenir than the item purchased. Shopping Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm. Most stores are also open on Saturday morning. Some of the place you must visit while you are there are mentioned below.

 

House of Fashion

Popular with both foreigners and locals of every class of society, offering an enormous selection. House of Fashion carries teens' and adults' casual wear, a good selection of winter clothing, women's and men's formal wear, short and long-sleeved shirts, slacks, jeans, children's wear and a lot more at very affordable prices. Besides clothing, it offers a large range of other items such as toys, sports goods, baby items, bath towels and mats. It is always a busy place but checkout is very fast and you cannot find a more affordable place. 28 R A De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 5.

 

Mondy

Mondy caters to clients with specific clothing needs like top-of-the-line office wear, well-cut trousers, fancy party attire and accessories, coloured leggings, children's apparel and other well-crafted creations like imported shoe brands to complete one's desired look. The store has in-house fashion designers and stylists to assist customers on mixing and matching of garments. Reasonable prices. 78 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 3.

 

Odel Unlimited

Definitely the most popular department store in Sri Lanka set in a beautifully designed interior. Offers brand-name clothing at great prices and has everything you need in one shop-accessories and jewellery, shoes, bags, cosmetics, home ware, sunglasses, tea, books, music, a hair salon, café, florist, watches, swimwear, sarongs, saris, winter clothing, sports wear, play section for kids, candy and chocolate store, bath products, sushi bar, plants and an excellent selection of Sri Lanka T-shirts. An Italian ice cream (Il Gelato) parlour is also present. Definitely the place to go shopping while in Colombo. It also strives to provide its clientele with "unparalleled selection of fashion right and lifestyle product in an environment that is enjoyable, welcoming." It has something for everyone.  Stocks don't stay long on the racks, collections change regularly, so it is never boring. Top choice value for money. No.5 Alexandra Place, Colombo 7.

 

Romafour

Though a bit away from the city centre, Romafour is sought out by clients who look for something different. The store has a lot to offer its discerning customers, from top-quality, colorful blouses and skirts to tailored suits and trousers, beautifully embroidered saris, smart menswear, durable cotton underwear and more. It is located near one of the bigger city malls. Prices vary. 71, Galle Road, Colombo 4.

 

Colombo Malls: Crescat Boulevard, Majestic City (MC), Liberty Plaza

Crescat Boulevard is adjacent to the five-star Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Though small in size, the shops comprising Crescat offer an impressive array of goods. Prices higher than other outlets. Liberty Plaza, just around the corner from Crescat Boulevard, houses several brand name shops that cater to various tastes. Frequented by customers from the Kollupitiya area and surroundings, this mall has something to offer young and old alike. Spacious and newly renovated Majestic City is the hub of shoppers on the Bambalapitiya side of Galle Road. A good number of shops carrying different items to choose from. Value for money. Galle Road, Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4.

 

Paradise Road

Paradise Road is one of the most popular shops in Colombo for not only antiques but also home décor. Reproductions are available as well as art, pottery, glass, porcelain, statues, dolls, window, and doorframes, scented candles etc. A must if you are in Colombo. 213, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7.

 

Hermitage

An authentic gallery of Art Antiques and Collectibles. Local as well as overseas antiques are available which are good quality and in mint condition. 28, Gower Street, Colombo 5.

 

 

Roux Brothers

Roux Brothers have been restoring and selling antiques for over 40 years. Although specializing in wooden furniture. Glassware and lampshades are also available. 7, De Fonseka Road, Colombo 5.

 

Elephant Walk

Housed in a bungalow designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, you can find anything from wine racks to garden furniture, Sri Lankan pots and vases, to chairs and tables from Indonesia. Also available are organic bath products from Sri Lanka and Bali and beautifully potted organic foodstuffs. 61, Ward Place, Colombo 7.

 

Prasanna Batiks

Sri Lanka is known for batik and you get everything here from shirts to sarongs as well as traditional handicrafts. 35, Main Street, Colombo 11, Pettah.

 

Apart from the above, one can also check out Barefoot, Arena, Beverly Street, Cotton Collection and Hameedias. Eco Gallery, Kalaya, Laksala are places to visit for Sri Lankan handicrafts. To shop for gems and jewellery, Agasti Jewels, Alankara, Ceylinco Gem and Jewellery Salon, Ridhi Design Studio and 105 Lalitha are the best and most trusted places to visit. For tea lovers, Dilmah Tea and Mlesna Tea centre are a must. For sports goods, there are Reebok and Adidas outlets, apart from The Souvenir Shop, located inside the headquarters of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, which has a range of authentic cricket memorabilia for all cricket lovers. Driving out of Colombo towards the Parliament to Pelawatte, Battaramulla, one may find good quality high street fashion at bargain prices. Patronized by expatriates and locals living in the area, shops of note include Cool Planet, the newly opened Shades, High Casual and JD Fashions.