Colombo Shopping by Cynthia Rosenfeld

Most visitors to this idyllic isle bypass the frantic, colourful city, heading north for cultural tours or to southern sun-kissed shores. Do both first, then head back along the Galle Road, trodden by visitors for centuries, to strategic spots around town to pick up baubles and bits in Technicolor shades that make unique gifts, should you wish to share this beautiful booty.

Barefoot (706 Galle Road, Colombo 3) makes the best welcome committee. This Colombo institution supports local communities with piecework sewing that comes together here alongside a seemingly full Pantone rainbow of soft cottons woven into everything from palm-sized stuffed elephants to silk evening wraps.

On the main floor, visitors have been inspired to completely redo their houses thanks to walls lined with bold fabrics, but those who plan to stick with carry-on items only can pick up cheerful change purses, soft cover notebooks, bold beach cover ups, traditional Ceylonese sarongs and signature patterned cotton bags to carry it all home. Exhausted from this kaleidoscope of excitement? Drop your shopping bags for some homemade chocolate or banana cake in the al fresco café at the back.

Replenished and enchanted, ask your tuk tuk or taxi driver to head inland towards Paradise Road Studio (12 Alfred House Gardens, Colombo 3), where local style maker Shanth Fernando shares his unsurpassed taste for elegant, understated interiors. Burmese monk bowls, dramatic glass vases ideal for showing off those seashells collected down south, paisley cushion covers and a veritable library of inspiring design books have been known to turn vacationers into instant decorators.

Turn your attention to the body directly across the street at Rithihi (19, Alfred House Gardens, Colombo 3). The lower level of this dramatic high ceiling space looks like a sari museum with shimmering textiles hung between well lit mirrors that draw self-admiring glances from ladies of every age. Nip into the spacious dressing room with piles of Indian kurtas, shawls and pretty embroidered blouses. Few females leave without a least one fabulous new frock.

Keep on trucking, this time over to Odel Unlimited (5 Alexander Place, Colombo 7), an emporium of Sri Lankan exports that have managed to sneak onto the local market. Abercrombie & Fitch cropped khaki pants, Levis slim low rise jeans, flirty Banana Republic skirts that look best in white to show off the Sri Lankan suntan plus plenty of sweet stuffed elephants and monkey print tees for those poor souls you left behind.

It’s just a short shot to the original Paradise Road (213 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7) lavishly overflowing with lotus flower candles, espresso sets emblazoned with curly Sinhalese script, tamarind wood bowls and handmade hammocks in red blue or green. Foodies should stock up on papaya coconut or banana jam and containers of local spices like cardamom, tumeric and pandanus leaf.

Finally, Sri Lanka is a gem lover’s paradise, and there are plenty of ways to spend for items that sparkle instead of spice. Go for something groovy like the funky chunks of glistening gems set in original silver and gold designs by appointment at Manika (Baurs Building, 5 Upper Chatham Street, Colombo 1).