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Sunday observer EXTRA
New Year Bonanza:
Avurudu shopping :Flurry of activity
By Omar RAJARATHNAM
 The Sinhala and Hindu New Year shopping spirit has caught up with
everyone in the country as crowds are pouring in to make their last
minute bargains at various shopping venues all over Colombo. Two years
have passed since the country was liberated from the grip of terrorism
and the people are preparing to welcome this year’s Sinhala and Hindu
New Year in grand style on April 13 and 14.
The colourful shopping fairs in Pettah, SLECC and BMICH are a few
hotspots where crowds are flocking in their thousands to cash in on
their New Year bonuses. There are items on sale to suit every pocket. A
variety of belts, shoes, sarees, sunglasses, denims, skirts, toys,
ornaments, jewellery and accessories are available at all these shopping
fiestas at reasonable prices and many special offers are attracting
shoppers to make the most of the season too.
The Pettah Main Street has been closed for motor transport until
tomorrow and has been replaced by pavement hawkers who are erupting in
glee after being given the opportunity to sell their goods in the middle
of one of the biggest shopping streets in the country. The street is
inundated with new year shoppers who have come from all parts of the
country knowing that they can walk away with the season’s best bargains
at Main Street. The stores in Main Street are competing to match the
prices of the pavement hawkers and fruit vendors have joined the
discount race too. Nevertheless consumers are enjoying the utmost
benefits of the competitive price reductions and ensuring they get the
best out of every rupee they spend as they get closer to celebrate the
Sinhala and Hindu New Year.
The World Market in Pettah which is well known for vendors offering
the lowest prices for clothes, have slashed their prices further.
Shoppers who complete their shopping stroll in Main Street are walking
across First and Second Cross Street to the world market to make sure
they are not missing out on the massive discounts on offer.
The consumer electronic products have not escaped discounts either.
Musical equipment, watches, mobile phones, walkmans, DVD players and
laptops are being offered at prices like never before and the technical
wizards are surely going to have a reason to celebrate this New Year in
sheer delight.
The Consumer Shopping Fair at the SLECC will be open till 8 pm
tomorrow. Discounts in Pettah have not dampened the shopping spirits at
this fair as stalls are competing with one another to offer best value
for money. The food and drink stalls have joined the discount frenzy and
shoppers who leave the gate say they have enough reason to smile
throughout this festive season.
The Bak Maha Shopping Festival at the BMICH is offering great deals
for this new year too. Over 200 local and foreign trade stalls are
captivating shoppers who say they have too many options to choose from
and every stall they pass has something unique and reasonable on offer
where they end up spending almost the whole day making sure that they do
not miss the best deals.
All the shopping festivals have a wide range of items for all males,
females and children at very reasonable prices. The peaceful shopping
atmosphere is spreading bright smiles all over the city and those who
have travelled from other parts of the country say that they are glad to
have a true city shopping experience at affordable prices. The well
spread-out shopping bonanza has uplifted the spirits of shoppers from
all walks of life and the opportunity to experience the true essence of
peace and harmony in the city, which has the most extravagant shopping
experiences are felt by one and all.
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