Colombo is the largest city and former administrative capital of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the present administrative capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins and a city population of over a million.
The name "Colombo", first introduced by the Portuguese in 1505, is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhalese name Kolon thota, meaning "port on the river Kelani". It has also been suggested that the name may be derived from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means "Harbor with leafy mango trees".
Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. However it was only 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. In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.
PLACE TO VISIT
The Colombo National Museum - Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7 - Tel : 2697467-8
The Natural History Museum
The Dutch Period Museum
The Bandaranaike Museum
The National Art Gallery
The Sapumal Foundation
The Lionel Wendt Center
Galle Face at Sundown for a spectacular view
Colombo Zoo is being renovated, and plan to have an open area for the elephants
SHOPPING
Barefoot handicraft store, 706 Galle Road, Colombo 03. . Has a wide range of good quality souvenirs and handmade items: clothes, bags, and children toys, from some of the most beautifully-colored fabric you've ever seen.
Lakmedura, 113 Dharmapala Road, Colombo 07 An organisation run by the tour guides association. Offers mass produced products at unbelievably high prices. It is better to ommit it from one's itenary although the many tour compaies, operaters, guides and trishaw drivers that wwoulg\d pester you to visit it.
Lakpahana , 14 Reid Avenue, Colombo 07 A non profit organisaton run by the craftsman association of Sri Lanka with asistance from the government. Offers all handicrafts and gemstone jewellery. Unique metalware, wood carvings,silver jewellery,batik ,textile productsand other crafts. Only member in Sri Lanka of the World Craft Council and winner of several international awards therefore all our products come with an international guarantee.The only place where quality exceeds price.
Majestic City in Kollupitaya on Galle Road has a wide variety of clothing outlets - including a sub-branch of Odel - at very good prices, as well as various electrical goods and toy shops. It's pleasantly air-conditioned and includes a food court on the ground floor.
Odel No 5, Alexandra Place, Colombo - 7. A stylish department store, with its very own Delifrance outlet, clothing, houseware, sporting goods, books and movies, as well as Delight – for sweet indulgences from chocolates to exotic nuts.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - There is air service to and from Colombo, provided by the national airline Sri Lankan Airlines. Flights are available from origins throughout Europe, United States, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. Other airlines, include Qatar Airlines and Emirates. If you were to Fly Emirates, you can stop over in Colombo on your way to Singapore (e.g. Dubai - Colombo - Singapore)
Colombo's international airport is at Katunayake, close to Negombo, on the coast north of Colombo. The journey to Colombo will take about an hour by taxi.
By boat - Indian Ocean Cruises operates a cruise liner to Colombo as part of it's itinerary along the west coast of India & to the uninhabited Lakshwadeep Islands.
