Old-world charm with a quirky weirdness
- Bankshall Street, Colombo 11
- Open daily 9am-6pm
On holidays, Bankshall St. also serves as a cricket pitch, when neighbourhood boys gather with their makeshift wickets
Old world weirdness
Bankshall St. has an old-world charm that is somewhat lost in the rest of Pettah’s thriving trade hub, that has changed so much over time. On this street you still find photographic studios with promo display material from decades past in their windows. You’ll also find shops that sell chemicals and lab paraphernalia, with dusty interiors that look as forbidding as they are inviting. On holidays, Bankshall St. also serves as a cricket pitch, as neighbourhood boys gather with their makeshift wickets. A strange mix indeed.
Hidden histories
The Oriental Salon in particular is a beautiful and quirky example of how buildings constantly reinvent themselves in Pettah. Its vaguely art-deco style façade and signage clash brilliantly with pictures of Nick Carter and David Beckham, whose coiffed locks are an apparent testament to the Salon’s expertise when it comes to men’s hair.
What to buy?
Not a bad place to get kitted out for a party. Get a local style haircut at Oriental Saloon at #104, sparkles and glitter next-door at Art and Craft at #106, beads and buttons at Dawood's buttons shop at #120. We also like Colorcraft Center at #119/121 for all your specialist art equipment and artificial flowers.