Sri Lanka (shopping)

Colombo, Sri Lanka's largest city is very colourful, vibrant and the largest city as well as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. An interesting mix of modern life and colonial ruins, Colombo is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. North of the centre is the Fort district, the country's business centre. South is Galle Face Green, a seafront expanse of occasional green. East of the fort is the pungent Pettah bazaar district. The city is home to over 600,000 people. Colombo ’s primary bazaar district is Pettah, located next to the Fort District. The narrow cobble-stone streets are lined with stalls and shops that sell a vast array of fabrics, clothing, handbags, jewelry, watches, electronics, shoes, books, household items, and much more, at really great prices. The goods are pretty much broken up by category. For example, music-related items are clustered around Malwatte Avenue , glass and mirrors are centered around Prince Street , and household items are likely to be found on Keyzer Street . Don’t worry about getting lost, because each lane leads back to the main street. Another good shopping area if you’re looking for crafts is the Laksala Emporium. Run by the government, the goods here are more expensive, but usually top-notch. Selections range from painted wooden masks and lacquerware to batik and handloom cloth. For other high-quality items, check the Handloom Emporium, the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewelry Exchange, and the shops around the Cinnamon Gardens. Larger scale shopping is available, too, at Crescat Boulevard and Majestic City , both on Galle Road . These larger malls features clothing stores, restaurants, supermarkets, and cinemas. Many shoppers in Sri Lanka have their eye out for the famous Ceylon tea. One safe bet is Tea Tang, with locations at Liberty Plaza , Galle Face Court , the World Trade Center , and the airport. Another good option is Miesna Tea, with shops at Liberty Plaza , Majestic City , the Hilton, Crescat Boulevard , and the airport.