The Sri Lanka captain offers a selection of his favourite ways to spend time in Sri Lanka’s capital
Mahela Jayawardene15-Oct-2010Play golf
I love golf and Royal Colombo Golf Club is my home course. It has a special place in my heart. It’s just outside the centre of town and a lovely place to escape from the hustle and bustle. The course is challenging and non-members are very welcome. Best to ring ahead, though, to make sure it has not been block-booked. The club house is a bit of a social institution and is a great place to catch up with old friends and make new ones. The bar is well-stocked and and there are plenty of tasty food options.Shop at Odel
We love our shopping here in Sri Lanka, although perhaps not quite as much as in South Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. We like Odel, the city’s leading shopping mall for its diversity, great bookshop and cracking food court. Paradise Road is a great place if you’re looking to refurbish your house or find a tasteful souvenir of your holiday. For those wanting to experience a really authentic market, Pettah Market, especially on a Saturday, is well worth a trip: lots of colour, noise and great bargains.Walk along Galle Face Green
Enjoying the sea breeze while strolling along Galle Face Green esplanade. This is a large expanse of grass by the ocean where hundreds of people congregate to socialise at the end of the day and play cricket. Very popular for evening strolls. Afterwards you can drop into the Galle Face Hotel and enjoy a drink with friends as the sun sets over the ocean in the lovely courtyard bar.Eat out
Colombo is blessed with a great choice of restaurants. Personal favourites include the Gallery Café for dinner. It is stylish yet welcoming and has a great menu. Lemon is a great new place for casual dining and drinking on a rooftop terrace overlooking the Colombo Cricket Club. The Commons Cafe is a fun café with a relaxed atmosphere. On Sundays there is usually plenty happening: jazz at the Barefoot Café or brunches at the Cinnamon Grand and the Hilton. For those who like Japanese food, the Nihonbashi chain is brilliant. If I am coming home late Pilau’s is a great option for a quick meal to take away.
