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COLOMBO
Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, located in the Western Province. The Greater Colombo area has rich multicultural traditions of many religious and ethnic groups. The world's most modern facilities are available in the city. Most five star hotels, Banks, Airline offices, Shopping complexes, the Harbour and nightLife events are in and around the city.
Colombo harbour is one of the largest artificial harbours in the world and handles the majority of Sri Lanka's foreign trade.
Arab traders had been settled near the site of the port in the 8th century AD. From the 16th century onwards, the port was developed by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British, who in turn established themselves on the coasts of the island. In 1815 the British captured the entire island and Colombo became the capital of the island. Sri Lanka gained its independence in 1948.
The population of the Colombo district in 2012 was 2,309,809. There are 808 villages under 13 local government authorities.
ARCADE INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
The Arcade Independence Square is a masterpiece of colonial architecture resurrected by the Urban Development Authority. The new development is part of Sri Lanka's progress towards its vision to become the 'Wonder of Asia'. The arcade has been renovated into a modern shopping complex while the colonial style and ambience has been preserved. The Empire Cineplex at the Arcade Independence Square is Ceylon Theatre's flagship boutique cinema and sets a new standard in the cinema and entertainment industry.
BELLANWILA RAJA MAHA VIHARAYA
This temple is one of the most sacred places in Sri Lanka for Buddhists as well as Hindus. It could be reached from the Dehiwala Boralesgamuwa road. The Bellanwila Esala Perahera is conducted annually in the month of September. Usually poya days are very crowded. The Attidiya - Bellanwila bird sanctuary is nearby.
BELLANWILA ATHIDIYA WETLAND
This wetland is located closer to the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya. The total area of this sanctuary is 372 hectares. This place is ideal for watching migrant birds and local birds. The months of September and April are the ideal time to watch birds as flocks of migratory birds from countries like Siberia, India and Europe can be seen here. There are about 52 species of butterflies you can see here, out of the 242 species found in Sri Lanka.
BERE LAKE
Bere Lake is located in the middle of Colombo. This lake was built by Portuguese and the lake was connected with many waterways. The Portuguese used theses waterways as their transportation routes. The water level of the lake is about one meter high from the ocean. There is a boat service with ten leisure boats providing the general public with an opportunity to go on a boat ride at the Bere Lake. This service is with ensured safety for the riders. There is a floating restaurant launched named ' 8°on the Lake' by Cinnamon Lakeside hotel. It is a two- storey catamaran boat.
BMICH
The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall is an outright gift from the People's Republic of China to Sri Lanka. This had been gifted in memory of late S.W.R.D.Bandaranayaike, the third Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. This building accommodates many state and private offices with facilities and with plenty of parking space. BMICH provides high quality specialized conference facilities and multi-functional complex comprising 09 buildings over 37 acres of land.
COLOMBO NATIONAL MUSEUM
This magnificent museum housed in a large white colonial period building with an imposing facade was opened in 1877. Exhibits include various sculptures from all over the island, royal costumes and ornamentation, weaponry and the throne and other regalia of the last King of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha.
COLOMBO FORT
Colombo fort is the major commercial center of the country and houses major offices, five star hotels, shops, airline offices, banks, the General post office, travel agents and restaurants. Within Fort are several places of tourist interest, which can be conveniently seen on foot.
COLOMBO-KATUNAYAKE EXPRESSWAY
The Colombo - Katunayake Expressway (CKE) is a 4-lane user-fee levying Expressway with a designed speed of 100kmph. It consists of three interchanges, namely Peliyagoda, Ja- ela and Katunayake. It is expected to connect the CKE to the proposed Outer Circular Highway (OCH) at Kerawalapitiya in the future. The Expressway has been constructed according to international standards to ensure the safety of all road users.
Motorists who enter from the Peliyagoda interchange will not be issued an entry ticket and will have to pay the use-fee before the exit at Katunayake. Those who enter from the interchange at Ja-Ela, would be issued an entry ticket and will have to pay accordingly at the end of the journey either at Peliyagoda or at Katunayake. On the other hand, motorists entering from Katunayake will not be issued an entry ticket but will have to pay at the end of the journey at Peliyagoda or Ja-Ela. This is to reduce delays in the issuance of tickets.
COLOMBO PORT CITY
The Colombo Port City project was said to be the largest Foreign Direct Investment in Sri Lanka in recent history. The purpose of the Port City is to be an alternative to the highly congested and unplanned City of Colombo. The city will be constructed in a 269-hectare reclaimed land area. It is advertised as an iconic business district having shopping, hotels, apartments, recreation areas, water sports areas, a mini golf course, and a luxury yacht marina. The Port City project investor is the China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC).
CRAFT VILLAGE
This is at the Gramodaya Folk Art Centre, Parliament Road, Battaramulla. It is funded by the Government to support and showcase Sri Lankan Art such as wood work, wood carving, leather work, batik and material painting, lace work, pottery, lapidary and handloom weaving. This village is spacious and pleasant for a visit and to spend some time. You can also taste some good Sri Lankan meals here. The Laksala handicraft outlet is at the entrance of the Craft Village.
DEWATAGAHA MOSQUE - CINNAMON GARDENS
A Muslim Shrine in Cinnamon Gardens near the Town Hall, is connected with a Muslim Saint named Shaykh Uthman Siddiqui who is said to have arrived in the island to propagate faith.
DIYATHA UYANA
This is a place on the banks of the Diyawanna Oya, Battaramulla, with a peaceful environment, suitable for a family outing, maybe a picnic, or even for those looking for a quiet place to read books and papers.
The park is built on a marshy land between the Parliament complex and the Diyawanna Oya at the Polduwa junction, to enhance the beauty of the city of Sri Jayawardhanapura close to the Water's Edge.
'Waters Edge' is one of the leading venues for Conferences, Meetings, Weddings and Corporate events. The other star class facilities at Waters Edge are Restaurants and Bar, Gymnasium, Spa, and Coffee shop.
Among the many food outlets and the restaurants at the park the floating restaurant too provides a variety of foods and drinks at competitive prices. The Floating Restaurant is a hospitality venture operated by Sri Lanka Navy and is well equipped. It is also ideal for receptions, weddings and corporate events.
DUTCH PERIOD MUSEUM
This museum is housed in a large mansion in Prince Street, Pettah and is said to have belonged to the Dutch Governor, Thomas Van Rhee. Among the exhibits are antique furniture, glassware, cooking items, weaponry, coins and even some old tombstones, all belonging to the Dutch period.
GALLE FACE GREEN
This is a well known place where people visit in the evenings to relax or to jog. The weekends are full with families and you can see many stalls offering exotic food. Most people who visit Colombo from remote villages, especially school children, do not miss visiting here, and they like to get on to the beach. This is the start of the Galle road from Colombo. You can see the Galle Face Hotel and The Kingsbury Hotel on either side, and also see the Hotel Taj Samudra on the land side. Walking towards Fort, you could see the Old Parliament Building, Hotel Galadari and the World Trade Centre.
GANGARAMAYA VIHARAYA
Gangaramaya is a colourful temple near the Bere Lake. The temple complex is home to a resident tusker and a small museum housing an eclectic collection of gifts and religious items. This temple becomes very lively during the Navam Perahera in February.
GEM AND GOLD CENTRE
Sri Lanka's first Gem and Gold Centre consisting of 83 outlets is located at the refurbished Central Super Market in Pattah. This market was earlier known as the Fish Market. Other than the 83 jewellery shops there are restaurants, banking facilities, and a customer service centre operated by the Gem and Jewellery Authority. This is also a part of the Colombo Development Project initiated by the Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse.
KOTTE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Housed in the Ihala Walawwa, the residence of E.W. Perera - "The Lion of Kotte" - the museum exhibits a variety of items recovered from Kotte and elsewhere, including numerous regional flags, colonial period costumes, weaponry, porcelain, figurines and even some old European brown and blonde tresses.
LAKSALA
Laksala offers the widest variety of all Sri Lankan products. It has selections of tea and spices, colourful batik ware to an elaborate collection of art and craft, the finest collection of traditional Sri Lankan Gems and Jewellery, leather goods, silverwork, furniture, brass, and wood carvings. Laksala has 13 branches located island wide. One of the Laksala outlets is located at the entrance of the Craft Village, Battaramulla. The Bauddhaloka Mawatha branch is at 215 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07.
LIONEL WENDT ART CENTRE
Lionel Wendt is famous for the English and Sinhala theatre, photographic and art exhibitions which has been the main venue for a long time in Sri Lanka. Exhibitions are frequently held, where a visitor could buy an item drawn by artists. The Photographic Society of Sri Lanka functions from here. This was established as a trust fifty years ago in memory of Lionel Wendt, a famous photographic artist. There are two galleries for exhibitions and a theatre. This is located at No. 18, Guildford Crescent, Colombo 07. Tel. 011 269 5794
NELUM POKUNA - MAHINDA RAJAPAKSE THEATRE
Nelum Pokuna is a five storied building comprising a main theater with a seating capacity of 1288 seats, and an open air theatre on the top floor. The theatre houses a three tier movable stage, two exhibition halls, thirteen rehearsal halls, parking facilities for 500 vehicles, library and training facilities. This building is up to international standards and the best in Asia.
OLD DUTCH HOSPITAL BUILDING
The Old Dutch Hospital building was converted to a shopping precinct with six shopping stalls including a restaurant, leisure and relaxation area. This is occupied by a number of outlets of high end brands whilst protecting the archaeological value of the building. The building reflects seventeenth- century Dutch colonial architecture.
This is a wonderful place to relax and unwind. During lunch time the premises is packed with those from the surrounding offices. The best time to visit would be in the morning, late afternoon or evening.
PETTAH - COLOMBO BAZAR
There are wide varieties of shopping complexes within the Colombo city. If you are looking for goods for cheaper prices Pettah bazaar is the ideal location. Pettah bazaar is always busy and crowded. You can buy almost e anything you want from shops down streets. Each cross lane of Pettah leads to the main street and each has developed its own specialized characteristic; household goods are I found on Keyzer Street, Prince Street is famous for glass, mirrors and electrical items. Malwatte Avenue sells English, Sinhala and Tamil music cassettes and leather products, Maliban street has paper and paper products, Main Street has Sarees and all clothing items to name a few.
PLANETARIUM
The Planetarium is located at Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha, Colombo 7, (Tel. 258 6499). There are public shows and special shows of the solar system. There has to be a minimum of 50 persons for a show. The full capacity is 570 seats.
RACE COURSE
The old race course in Cinnamon Gardens Colombo 07, which was neglected for a long time has been modernized and opened for the public with facilities of a pavilion, restaurants, a stationary shop, branded dress boutiques, sports shops, handy crafts and gifts shops.
Originally this had been opened for race horsing in 1893.
SANTA LUCIA CATHEDRAL
A huge Roman Catholic Cathedral in Kotahena begun in 1876 but was completed only in 1910. The building has a classical façade with a large forecourt and is said to contain the tombs of three French Bishops.
SHOPPING MALLS
If you move along the Galle road you can find shopping malls like Crescat, Majestic City and Liberty Plaza, and in Colombo 07, Arcade Square Independence, Odel, Laksala, and many other shops where branded products are sold. You can buy garments, handicrafts, books, leather goods and many more at competitive prices.
SRI JAYAWARDANAPURA - KOTTE
The administrative capital of Sri Lanka, originally a fortress built by Alagakkonara in a village called Dadugama in the 14th century, it gradually rose to prominence as the capital of the Sinhalese kings from the early 15th to late 16th century. The city then known as Jayawardhana Pura Kotte or 'The fortress of the victory- enhancing city' was fortified by high walls surrounding an area of 1 square mile and enclosed by a moat. It fell on bad times with the death in 1597 of its last ruler King Dharmapala, who willed his Kingdom away to Philip-I of Portugal. It was much neglected during the period of European colonial rule and it was only recently that its former place in the history of the country was restored with the shifting of the administrative capital from Colombo to Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte.
It was the capital of our island from 1415-1565 AD predominated by the long reign of King Parakrama Bahu VI, the last Sinhala king who ruled a unified Lanka. The city had been circumscribed by a huge rampart and moat built by Nissanka Alagakkonara, a minister. Very few traces of this moat and rampart are still visible. According to existing ruins it is believed that the rampart had been 8 feet high and 30 feet wide.
Around Diyawannawa Lake you can see a huge development, many walkways are constructed and opened to the public around the Lake. Boat services in the lake, restaurants, and shoppping areas are being developed.
SRI PONNAMBALAM VANESVARA
Wellawatte Sri Ramanathan Road Hindu Kovil is renowned for its towering Gopuram and Siva Lingam in its inner sanctum.
SLAVE ISLAND
On the south of Fort, is a long, narrow island - where the slaves had their night quarters - called Slave Island. Today this area is surrounded by the remains of the former Beira Lake and is home to many office buildings, banks, hospitals, shops and stores.
THE ROYAL COLOMBO GOLF CLUB
The Royal Colombo Golf Club is a 18 hole court, situated in the heart of Colombo (Model Farm Road, Colombo 08, adjoining road of Borella cemetery) surrounded by residential areas. This was founded over 130 years ago being the second oldest Royal Golf Club outside the United Kingdom and is the oldest in Sri Lanka. Tel: 011 2695431, 011 269 1401
THE INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
The Independence Square is a national monument built to commemorate gaining independence from the British in 1948. This is a public place and popular for jogging. Many residents of Colombo can be seen jogging here. The area is generally crowded after work, around 5-8 p.m.
TOWN HALL
This is a massive white building with a huge dome facing the Vihara Maha Devi Park. It was built in 1927 and houses various offices of the Colombo Municipality. This was originally meant to house the office of the mayor and the council chamber.
VIHARAMAHADEVI PARK (VICTORIA PARK)
This is the largest park in central Colombo and is located next to the Town Hall. The name Victoria Park was changed after independence in 1948, but is still used occassionally. Viharamahadevi was the mother of the Great King Dutugemunu. This park is crowded every evening. There is a children's park at the Town Hall end, but the entrance is from Dharmapala Mawatha. The Public Library adjoins the Park.
WOLFENDHAL CHURCH
A famous church which dates back to the Dutch period. Built in 1749, this impressive church characterized by a Doric façade also contains numerous tombstones of Dutch officials.
MOUNT LAVINIA
Mount Lavinia is a beach just 12 km from Colombo. It was a famous beach even during the colonial times. The Governor's House built in 1805 by Sir Thomas Maitland now forms part of the famous Mount Lavinia Hotel. There are many other medium and small hotels at Mount Lavinia specially on the beach side.
