Colombo - Sri Lanka - page 158

The fashion branch of the Paradise Road design conglomerate is run by Annika Fernando
and is housed with her sister Saskia Fernando's eponymous gallery. All the clothing is
from Sri Lankan and Indian designers.
Melache CLOTHING
( GOOGLE MAP ; 259 5405;29/3 Visaka Private Rd, Col 4)
'Where dressing chic is an art', is the slogan 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 is
flourishing. Better, you can easily find a unique frock for under Rs 2000.
Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation FOOD
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 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, especially in that dodgy bag of mixed nuts.
Raux Brothers HOMEWARES, ANTIQUES
(The Colonial; MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 259 4494; www.rauxbrothers.com ; 137 Bauddhaloka
Mawatha, Col 4)
This 55-year-old design firm has a gorgeous showroom in a large, beautiful colonial store-
front, which stocks an impressive range of furniture and artworks crafted from wood.
There are genuine antiques 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 GOOGLE MAP ; 215 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Col 7; 9am-9pm) in Cinna-
mon Gardens, plus a National Museum store ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; National Museum, Ne-
lum Pokuna Rd) , it offers cheap carved elephants, well-crafted handicrafts, and handmade
jewelry and clothing compete for attention.