Colombo, Sri Lanka
Region: Western Province
Geographic Coordinates: 6.934400, 79.842800
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 35.0°C (77°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with two monsoon seasons and high humidity throughout the year.
Population: 2323826
Language: Sinhala
Colombo is the capital city of Sri Lanka, Situated on the west coast of the island. The city has a long history and has been ruled by various empires and colonial powers throughout the centuries. Today, Colombo is a bustling metropolis that seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern amenities. One of Colombo’s most notable features is its diverse architecture, Ranging from colonial-era buildings to contemporary skyscrapers. Some noteworthy landmarks include Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple, And the Old Parliament Building which now serves as a museum.
Colombo offers visitors an array of cultural experiences such as visiting National Museum which showcases Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage through exhibits on art, Archaeology, And natural history. For those interested in traditional arts and crafts, There are several markets throughout Colombo where artisans sell handmade goods like batik fabrics or wood carvings. Food lovers will also find plenty to enjoy in Colombo with its multicultural cuisine influenced by India, China Portugal Netherlands Britain among others .
Local delicacies like hoppers (a type of pancake), Kottu roti (a stir-fry dish), Or lamprais (rice wrapped in banana leaves) are worth trying out. International restaurants serving Italian pasta or Japanese sushi can also be found here. Despite being a busy urban center , Nature lovers can find respite at Viharamahadevi Park offering beautiful lakes , Fountains , Playgrounds etc amidst lush greenery . It’s not just for tourists but locals too who frequent it for picnics and leisurely strolls.
Colombo makes for an excellent base to explore other parts of Sri Lanka with excellent transport links to popular tourist destinations such as Kandy Galle Sigiriya etc . , Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in history or simply relax amidst stunning scenery , There’s something for everyone in this vibrant metropolis making it one must-visit place in Sri Lanka.
- Gangaramaya Temple
- Galle Face Green
- Beira Lake
- National Museum of Colombo
- Independence Memorial Hall
- Viharamahadevi Park
- Old Parliament Building
- Colombo Dutch Museum
- Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)
- Pettah Market
- Tourism: Colombo is a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka, boasting a variety of hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
- Textile industry: The city has a thriving textile industry that produces garments and fabrics.
- Information technology: Colombo has become an important hub for IT companies, with many international firms setting up operations in the city.
- Banking and finance: As the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo is home to numerous banks and financial institutions.
- Shipping and logistics: The city’s port is one of South Asia’s busiest, making it an important center for shipping and logistics companies.
- Manufacturing: Several manufacturing industries operate in Colombo including food processing, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials.
- Real estate development: Rapid urbanization in Sri Lanka’s capital has led to a growing demand for real estate development projects such as luxury apartments and office spaces.
- Education: Colombo boasts several prestigious universities as well as international schools catering to students from around the world.
- The arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 and their subsequent colonization of the city.
- The Dutch takeover of Colombo in 1656, which led to significant changes in governance, architecture, and trade.
- The British colonization of Sri Lanka in 1815, which established Colombo as the administrative capital.
- The establishment of Ceylon University College (now known as University of Colombo) in 1921, which became a hub for intellectual and cultural activity.
- The assassination of Prime Minister S.W.R.D Bandaranaike at his home in Colombo on September 25th, 1959.
- The formation of the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) insurgency group in Jaffna during the early-1970s and their attacks on government targets throughout Sri Lanka including several high-profile bombings within Colombo itself.
- Notable people associated with Colombo include:
- Anagarika Dharmapala – Buddhist revivalist who played a key role in promoting Buddhism both locally and internationally.
- Sirimavo Bandaranaike – first female prime minister in the world.
- Arthur C Clarke – science fiction writer who lived much of his life in Sri Lanka.
- Muttiah Muralitharan – legendary cricketer who hails from Kandy but has spent much time living and training within Colombo.
- Mahinda Rajapaksa – former president who oversaw military operations against LTTE that ended decades-long civil war within Sri Lanka.
- National Museum of Colombo
- Gangaramaya Temple
- Independence Memorial Hall
- Viharamahadevi Park
- Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct
- Seema Malaka Temple
- Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
- Pettah Market
- Beira Lake
- Mount Lavinia Beach
- The Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) is a historic cricket club in Sri Lanka that was established in 1832. Over the years, it has produced many talented cricketers for the country.
- The Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club is another successful cricket club in Sri Lanka that was founded in 1892. It has played a significant role in shaping the country’s cricketing history and has produced great players like Arjuna Ranatunga.
- The Havelock Sports Club started as a rugby club but later expanded to include other sports such as cricket, hockey, basketball, and athletics. It was founded in 1915 and continues to promote sports among young people.
- The Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) is one of the oldest cricket clubs in Sri Lanka that was established back in 1888. It has contributed significantly to Sri Lankan cricket by producing some of the finest cricketers.
- The Moors Sports Club was founded by members of the Muslim community who were interested in various sports such as football, cricket, hockey, basketball, volleyball, table tennis and badminton back in 1908.
- The Police Sports Clubs have been around since the early 20th century with teams competing across multiple sports such as rugby union football, basketball, volleyball, netball, boxing, wrestling etc.
- The Royal College Rugby Football Union represents Royal College Colombo which is one of the premier schools for boys’ education located within Colombo.
- Vesak Festival is a Buddhist celebration that honors the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha with vibrant lanterns, processions, and decorations.
- The Kandy Esala Perahera is a ten-day festival held in July or August in Kandy. It features traditional dancers, musicians, acrobats and an impressive parade of elephants.
- The Colombo Art Biennale is an international art exhibition held every two years that displays contemporary art from around the world.
- Good Market is an outdoor market held every Saturday that offers locally sourced organic produce, handmade crafts and live music.
- The Galle Literary Festival takes place annually in January and features local and international authors discussing their work.
- Colombo Fashion Week occurs twice a year as it showcases Sri Lankan designers’ collections to both local and international audiences.
- The National Day Parade happens on February 4th to celebrate Sri Lanka’s independence from British rule in 1948.
- The Navam Perahera is a Buddhist parade celebrated during the full moon day of February or March at Gangaramaya Temple.
- Nuwara Eliya Season lasts for one month between April to May where people gather to enjoy horse races, flower shows, motor rallies, Golf tournaments etc.
- The Colombo International Film Festival happens annually showcasing movies from all over the world.
- Rice & Curry: This is a traditional Sri Lankan dish that consists of rice served with a variety of curries made with vegetables, meat or fish.
- Seafood: As Sri Lanka is an island nation, seafood is abundant and popular. Some popular seafood dishes include crab curry, prawn curry and fish ambulthiyal.
- Kottu Roti: This is a popular street food in Sri Lanka made by chopping up roti bread into small pieces and mixing it with vegetables, meat or eggs.
- Hoppers: These are bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. They can be eaten plain or filled with egg or other ingredients.
- Wadiya: These are deep-fried snacks made from lentil flour mixed with spices and herbs.
Some popular restaurants in Colombo that serve these dishes include Ministry of Crab, Nuga Gama, Gallery Café, Upali’s by Nawaloka and The Mango Tree.
- Viharamahadevi Park is a popular park located in the heart of Colombo, featuring a large playground, walking paths, and a lake.
- Galle Face Green is a seaside promenade and park where visitors can enjoy the sunset, street food vendors, and kite flying.
- Diyatha Uyana is a recreational park with several lakeside restaurants, boat rides, and bird watching opportunities.
- Independence Square is a historic landmark surrounded by manicured gardens and walking paths.
- Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre Park is an outdoor performance venue with landscaped gardens perfect for picnics or relaxation.
- Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya Park is an expansive temple complex with beautiful gardens ideal for meditation or peaceful walks.
- Diyawanna Oya Wetland Sanctuary offers canoeing tours to see birds such as kingfishers, egrets and cormorants up close.
- Royal Colombo Golf Club is open to non-members as well which has hosted some of the biggest golf events in Sri Lanka.
