Colombo

is Sri Lanka’s ocean city

The central area of the city is still known as Fort, but the remnants of the colonial battlements have long since been demolished, or incorporated in newer buildings. There are more mementoes of the British period, including the neo-Classical old parliament building, the Victorian-era President’s House (still often called ‘Queen’s House’), and the grandly mercantile brick facade of Cargill’s, a splendid 19th-century department store that has changed little since the 19th-century heyday of Sri Lanka‘s British tea planters. Due to its large harbor and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. It was made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, and its status as capital was retained when the nation became independent in 1948. The legacies of colonial Colombo’s garden roots are still very much intact along its often-shady boulevards. Fort is a compelling place thanks to ongoing restoration of its landmark colonial architecture, while Pettah brims with markets and rampant commerce. In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.
No longer just the sprawling city you have to endure on your way to the beaches, it has become a worthy destination in its own right and makes an excellent start – or finish – to your Sri Lankan adventures.

Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. Its population is swollen by some 400,000 plus commuting workers during the day and is virtually empty after nightfall. It is the financial center of the island and a popular tourist destination. Although it’s unlikely it will reclaim its 19th-century moniker ‘the garden city of the East’, Colombo has nevertheless emerged as a must-see stop in Sri Lanka. Originally named Kolomthota, Colombo was the main seaport of Kotte, the country’s 15th and 16th century capital. Known to Arab traders as Kalamba, the city attracted the rapacious Portuguese as early as 1505 and became the bastion of their rule for almost 150 years. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte, the legislative capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is within the urban area of, and a satellite city of, Colombo. It is also the administrative capital of Western Province, Sri Lanka and the district capital of Colombo District. Its natural harbor at the mouth of the Kelani River was a magnet for successive traders and conquerors – initially the Arab merchants, then Portuguese, Dutch and British imperialists. Colombo is a busy and vibrant place with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins. It was the legislative capital of Sri Lanka until 1982. The city is a jarring mix of old and new, with a central cluster of high-rise office blocks and hotels overshadowing red-tiled colonial-era buildings and sprawling street markets which overflow with high-piled fruit and vegetables, colourful silks and cottons, and deliciously fragrant spices. Colombo’s cosmopolitan side supports ever-more stylish eateries, galleries and shops. There is a lively nightlife at a number of International standard hotels, clubs, pubs and dining venues while it is limited mainly to the high end customer. During the day, Colombo’s colourful street markets, colonial-era buildings, museums and galleries, churches, mosques and temples, and the lovely Viharamahadevi Park with it beautiful trees, makes it a great place to explore on foot. Surprises abound: with a little exploration you’ll find great local food, characterful shops and tiny, convivial cafes. Meanwhile, a building boom like no other is transforming the city’s skyline.

Arcade Independence Square

The Arcade Independence Square is a shopping complex.

In the Auditor General’s building (where you can see the enormous clock tower of Independence Square), you get the Wickramarachchi opticians if you are looking for a pair of good sunglasses, Stone and String, a Complete set of Kookabura equipment (for All Your Cricket Frenzy Molecules), a Titan showroom and charming local tea, Kaema Sutra and jewelry in Sri Lanka. There is even a living room on the first floor, called the Wax Museum, and a 3D Cineplex movie.For the cheapest, on the ground floor, there are a whole lot of other places to go, including Burger King and the food court that has Paan Paan and Tropical Juice Bar among its stands Short courses are fairly reasonable). There is an unexpectedly Japanese place called Tsukui Uoichi in the former Auditor General’s building. Also in a corner building that is old and yellowing on the same premises, there is a small canteen that sells rice and short-eats. Not only that Arcade Independence Square is an incredible place to relax: you can take a good breath in here. the outside is with beautiful flowers and green grass, a smooth pavement and cane furniture, and the inside is entirely made of white wood panels. Some corridors have long benches where you can just sit and relax, there are great views of the lawn, a walk-over fish tanks and imposing lion stone caving are amazing experiences. In the Independence Square through various windows of the building, and there is a dormer window Very nice in the center of one of the stairs. This latest shopping precinct is situated in Borella (30, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7), near to BMICH. Arcade Independence Square is open from 7.00 am to 11.00 pm. Not only that this place is most beautiful in the evening, because of colorful lights.

Gangaramaya Temple

What was once a swamp adjoining the famous Beira Lake, a landmark in the capital city, is today a vibrant complex comprising the Gangaramaya temple, the ‘seema malaka’ – an assembly hall for monks – in the picturesque Beira Lake and a vocational training institute. The temple has been in existence for over 120 years having being established by one of the most famous scholar monks, Venerable Hikkaduwa Sri Sumanagala Nayaka Thera,