Visit Colombo - Colombo is the place where Sri Lanka’s hustle and bustle takes place. Although it is the biggest city in Sri Lanka, this is the place where the commercial heart beats and where you can see some of the tallest buildings in Asia. In the northern part of the city is the fort area, where you can find the British fort, dating from the 19th century, and other remnants of the former colonial power. When you set off for Galle, which was the capital city when the Dutch ruled before the British invaded the Pearl of the Orient, you can visit the world heritage fort complex.

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).

Products that are worth buying in Sri Lanka include world famous Ceylon tea, clothing (many designer clothes are manufactured in Sri Lanka and you can buy them here for a fraction of the cost elsewhere) and jewelry (including the Sri Lankan blue saphire).

Quality is generally assured at the higher end stores, if purchasing at other locations, use your judgment when buying expensive items.

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.

Frangpiani - 126 Havelock Road Colombo, 5

• Telephone: 00 941 580 678
• Hours: Mon - Sun12pm- 12am

The latest in Koluu’s Colombo food-and-drink revolution, this one a combination of fine dining restaurant and style bar set in an old colonial home. It’s actually three spaces but the interior restaurant is unremarkable. We like the outdoor dining pavilion, open on all sides and dominated by a large Buddhist monument that seemed slightly incongruous among the dashing designer-wearing diners. Next to this is the bar, a narrow space with a long counter of solid hardwood railway sleepers that goes on forever. Retro billboards advertising beer and vodka stare down from behind the bar while drinkers take places at tables lining a long glass wall looking out on the pavilion. If you think you can handle it try Koluu’s New Kiss house special: a lethal mix of Bacardi, Tequila and Blue Curacao. Good luck.

Golf

Royal Colombo Golf Club - 223, Model Farm Road, Colombo 8. Tel: 267 4519.

The Royal Colombo Golf Club, which celebrated its centenary in 1979, is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world and only the third club to receive the Royal Charter from the British Crown in 1928. It was founded, as the The Colombo Golf Club, in 1879. Royalty, heads of state, Prime ministers and and golfing legends have played here over the years. Visitors are welcome but booking is advisable. The dress code here is stricter than at other golf courses, requiring collars, decent shorts, or trousers with zips for men. For ladies there is a one-word dress code: decency. The Club House offers improved facilities to members and visitors in both the bars, dining room, lounge and coffee shop. The dressing room facilities are of good standard. A practice range is open from 0600 to 2100 pm except on Mondays.

Cricket - Undoubtedly the most popular sport in Sri Lanka is cricket. The country emerged as champions of the 1996 Cricket World Cup. The sport is played in parks, playgrounds, beaches and even in the streets of the city. Colombo is also the home for two of the country's international cricket stadiums, Sinhalese Sports Club and R Premadasa Stadium (named after late president Premadasa).