Colombo

The commercial capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo is a city which holds the fascination of the visitors with its harmonious blend of East and the West as well as the old an the new. The city is noisy and frenetic, but an easy place to find one’s way around.

Reaching Colombo
Regular international flights connect Colombo to all the important cities of the world. The airport is at Katunayake, 30 min away from Colombo. Also, it is a prime international sea port of the country.

From Colombo to Other Spots
Since domestic air connectivity is not available in Sri Lanka, the favourite option for the tourists for commuting from Colombo to other places is the railway. Buses are available too, but more often than not they remain stuffy.

Places to go and Things to see
The Fort: Originally a simple fort during the Portuguese and the Dutch periods, it has now emergd as the commercial nerve centre of the city. Within the Fort there are several places of interest which can be accessed on foot. The colonial buildings the Presidential Secretariat, the Grand Orient hotel, built as a barrack for soldiers in the the 19th century, the Lighthouse an dthe clock Tower.

Pettah: Adjacent to Fort, it is the main shopping hub of Colombo.

Viharamahadevi Park: The oldest and the largest park in Colombo, it is a riot of colours with flowering plants blooming from March to May. Also a feast for the eyes is the Cinnamon Gardens, where the elegant tree lined streets houses the palatial residences of the ruling elite.

Dehiwala Zoo: 11 kms from the fort, this zoo has a rich collection of flora and fauna from all across the world. It houses the famous Mini Medura , an aquarium displaying over 500 varieties of aquatic species.

Galle Face Green: This promenade on the sea face is the favourite haunt for children, teenagers, lovers , vendors and all those who want to indulge in their past time activities under the open sky.

Temples: Prominent centres of Buddhist importance are Vajiramaya temple at Bambalapitiya, Raja Maha Viharaya at Bellanwalia and Gotami Viharaya at Borella. There are also Hindu temples like the Kathiseran temples at Pettah, dedicated to the war god Skanda; Sri Poonnambalam Vaneswaram temple at Koch-chikade and Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar temple at Colombo 10, dedicated to Lord Siva and Ganesha.

Churches: St. Peter’s Church near the Grand Oriental Hotel, Wolvendaal Church at Wolfendahl Street are some of the oldest Churches in Colombo which attract tourists of all faiths. Among others, mention may be made of the famous Church of St. Anthony at the intersection of the Sea Street and St. Anthony’s Mawatha.

Mosques: Two most famous mosques of Colombo are Jami-ul-Alfar and the Memm Hamafi mosque, both located at Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha. The former is a red and white candy striped mosque dating back to 1909 while the latter is a more traditional grayish one.

Colombo National Museum: Showcasing the entire cultural heritage of the country, this museum housed in a grand colonial building is the first and the finest public museum in the country. Located at Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, it remains open everyday from 9 AM to 5 PM except on Fridays.

Apart from this, there is the National History Museum in the same premises; the Dutch Period Museum at Pettah and the Bandarnaike Museum.

Slave Island: It has a varied picture consisting of elegant stores, office buildings, Churches, the important Buddhist Gangarama Temple, a residential colony as well as filthy stinking slums. Anyone looking for peace of mind can visit the Sima Malaka meditation island which belongs to the nearby temple.

Around Colombo
Mount Lavinia: Anyone yearning for a beach holiday will be sent into ecstacy by the sandy beach and the ebb and flow of the waves at Mount Lavinia, 8 miles away from the city. However, because of strong undercurrents swimmers are forbidden from venturing into the sea.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya: It is the most significant Buddhist temple lying 11 kms away from the Colombo fort. It dates back to more than 2000 years and contains images of reclining and preaching Buddha along with frescoes depicting incidents from his life.

Local Transport
For the tourists taxis and tourist cabs are the best ways to commute within the city. Tourists are advised to fix a fare beforehand. Auto-rickshaws are also available.

Shopping
Best Bargains: Leather products, Jewellery.

Where to Buy?
The most popular shopping complexes are- Crescat Boulevard, Landmark and Liberty Plaza, all at Colombo- 03; Hilton JAIC Tower, Colombo- 02; Majestic City and Unity Plaza at Colombo- 04.

The Night Crawlers at Peril!
Colombo has a lacklustre night life. But those with a fetish for night life can step into the various Night Clubs, Casinos and Cinemas.

Putting Up!
Colombo offers excellent staying facilities for the tourists. Check out the various hotels ...