Colombo - Discover Sri Lanka with Bruno

Colombo

Colombo, city, executive and judicial capital of Sri Lanka. (Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a Colombo suburb, is the legislative capital.) Situated on the west coast of the island, just south of the Kelani River, Colombo is a principal port on the Indian Ocean. It has one of the largest artificial harbours in the world and handles the majority of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade.

Despite its small size just 37.31 km² Colombo offers a varying selection of experience ranging from taking a tuktuk ride, a visit to Pettah market and eating Kottu to playing a round of golf and having high tea at one of the colonial style hotels overlooking the Indian Ocean

  • PROVINCE: WESTERN PROVINCE
  • DISTRICT: COLOMBO DISTRICT
  • POPULAR FOR: CAPITAL OF SRI LANKA, GALLE FACE, COMMERCIAL CITY
  • WEATHER: 30 °C
  • TYPE: COMMERCIAL
  • POPULATION : 647,100
  • AREA: 37

Katunayaka airport to Colombo distance 32.4km

Port City Colombo

Port City Colombo is a brand new city development built as an extension of the Central Business District of Sri Lanka's vibrant commercial capital, Colombo.

In May 2021, Parliament of Sri Lanka approved Port City Commission Bill to establish the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone and Economic Commission. Under this law, companies can be exempt from all taxes, personal, corporate, excise, import, and every other tax for 40 years

Sri Lankan Parliament Building

The Sri Lankan Parliament Complex is a public building and landmark that houses the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Situated in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the administrative capital, it is built on an island, surrounded by the Diyawanna Oya. It was designed by Deshamanya Geoffrey Bawa.

Old Parliament Building

The Old Parliament Building, is the building that houses the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. Situated in the Colombo fort area facing the sea, it is in close proximity to the President's House, Colombo and adjacent to the General Treasury Building. The building housed the island's legislature for 53 years until the new parliamentary complex was opened at Sri Jayawardenepura in 1983.

St. Anthony's Shrine - Kochchikade

St. Anthony's Shrine is a Roman Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Colombo in Sri Lanka. The church is located at Kochchikade, Kotahena, Colombo 13, and is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. The church is designated a national shrine and minor basilica. A tiny piece of St. Anthony's tongue is preserved in a special reliquary, which is located in a glass case together with a statue of the saint, at the entrance to the church.

From the outside, it is by every appearance a regular Catholic Church. But the second you step in, it's as if you've stepped into a pagan temple.

Sri Lanka Air Force Museum

The Sri Lanka Air Force Museum is the museum of the Sri Lanka Air Force, and its predecessor, the Royal Ceylon Air Force. Open to the public, the museum is at the SLAF Ratmalana and is maintained by the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Diyawanna Lake

Diyawanna Lake or Parliament Lake, is one of the lakes within Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka. It is quite popular as the Sri Lankan Parliament Building was built on an artificial island at the center of the lake. The Diyatha Uyana park is also located on the banks of this lake. This lake was created in 1979 and has eight islands

Colombo Lighthouse

Colombo Lighthouse is a Lighthouse in Colombo in Sri Lanka and it is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. It is located at Galbokka Point south of the Port of Colombo on the waterfront along the marine drive, in Colombo fort.

Diyatha Uyana

The Diyatha Uyana Park built in the banks of the Diyawanna Oya was opened in September 2012. Since its inception, it has succeeded in attracting people from all walks of life from all over the country apart from those living in the vicinity.

The opening ceremony of the "Diyatha Uyana" was attended by the Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa and Secretary Defence and Urban Development president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The project was carried out by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Civil Security Department personnel under the close guidance and supervision of Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya

At Kelaniya, about 10km to the northeast of Colombo, in Sri Lanka, lays Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya, one of the most revered historic Buddhist temples of the orient. Set on the summit of a small mound lapped by the waters of the river Kelani, this beautiful shrine presents one of the most panoramic views ever offered to the tourist by this small island of ours, the pearl of the Indian Ocean.

According the chronicles the Buddha visited the Kelaniya with 500 bhikkhus and preached dharma to King and his people on the spot where the temple stands today. From Kalaniya the Buddha proceeded to the domain of the Deity Sumana Saman at the mountain to of Samanthakuta now known as Sri Pada.

Royal Colombo Golf Club

The Royal Colombo Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Sri Lanka. Established in 1880, it is located in the capital city of Colombo at The Ridgeway Links also known as the Anderson Golf Course. It is home to the Sri Lanka Golf Union, the governing body of Golf in Sri Lanka and maintains links with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Colombo Lotus Tower

Lotus Tower, also referred to as Colombo Lotus Tower, is a tower of 356 m, located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It also reflects the symbolic landmark of Sri Lanka. As of 16 September 2019, the tower is currently the tallest self-supported structure in South Asia. It is also the second tallest structure in South Asia after the guy-wire-supported INS Kattabomman in India. It was first proposed to be built in the suburb of Peliyagoda but later the Government of Sri Lanka decided to shift the location. The lotus-shaped tower will be used for communication, observation and other leisure facilities, with construction costing $104.3 million, funded by EXIM Bank of People's Republic of China. It is visible throughout Colombo, its suburbs and most major highways radiating from and around the city.

Beira Lake

Beira Lake is a lake in the center of the city of Colombo in Sri Lanka. The lake is surrounded by many large businesses in the city. It initially occupied approximately 1.65 km² of land 100 years ago and this has since been reduced to 0.65 km² today due to various reasons. During the colonial era of the Portuguese, Dutch and the English the lake was used for a wide variety of purposes. It still retains its Portuguese name. It is connected to many intricate canals which provided an easy way of transporting goods within the city and suburban cities.

Beira Lake started out as a much bigger lake occupying an area of 410 acres over a century ago. But with the rapid commercialization of the area, it has since been reduced to approximately 160 acres.

Independence Square

Independence Memorial Hall is a national monument in Sri Lanka built for commemoration of the independence of Sri Lanka from the British rule with the restoration of full governing responsibility to a Ceylonese-elected legislature on February 4, 1948. It is located in Independence Square in the Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo. It also houses the Independence Memorial Museum. The monument was built at the location where the formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule, with the opening of the first parliament by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurred at a special podium February 4, 1948. Located at the head of the monument is the statue of the first prime minister of the country Rt. Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake "The Father of the Nation". Most of the annual National Independence Day celebrations have been held here. Apart from a monument it served as the ceremonial assembly hall for the Senate of Ceylon and the House of Representatives of Ceylon until the parliament was moved to the new parliament complex. Currently it is the venue for religious events and annual national day celebrations

Seema Malakaya

Seema Malaka is a Buddhist temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The temple is mainly used for meditation and rest, rather than for worship. Situated in the Beira Lake, the temple was originally constructed in the late 19th century. Seema Malaka is a part of the Gangaramaya Temple and is situated few hundred meters to its east

Viharamahadevi Park

Viharamahadevi Park is a public park located in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, situated in front of the colonial-era Town Hall in Sri Lanka. It was built by the British colonial administration and is the oldest and largest park of Colombo. The park was originally named "Victoria Park" after Queen Victoria but was renamed after Queen Viharamahadevi, the mother of King Dutugamunu following independence. During World War II it was occupied by the British Army with Australian 17th Brigade based at Victoria Park. After the war the park was restored and open to the public in 1951.

The park was built on land donated to the Colombo city by Charles Henry de Soysa during the British rule of Sri Lanka, and used to be named "Victoria Park" after Queen Victoria. During World War II it was occupied by the British Army with Australian 17th Brigade based at Victoria Park. After the war the park was restored and open to the public in 1951.

Dehiwala National Zoo

The Dehiwala National Zoo, which has a remarkable collection of exotic and indigenous fauna, is one of the oldest Zoos in Asia. The Zoo in Sri Lanka is widely known as Colombo Zoo all over the world.

Currently, Dehiwala Zoo houses 72 species of Mammals, 65 species of Birds, 31 species of Reptiles, 89 species of Fish, 03 families of Amphibians and 30 species of Butterflies etc. The total number of animals varies from 2500-3000 due to breeding and free living colonies of birds. The Zoo supports and promotes conservation by breeding certain rare and endangered species through proper animal welfare.

Planetarium

It is the first and only planetarium in the country and maintained as an institute under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research. The Planetarium was established on 1 February 1965 by the State Engineering Corporation as a special feature for the Ceylon industrial exhibition held in Colombo same year.

National Museum

The National Museum of Sri Lanka, also most commonly known as the Sri Lanka National Museum is cosidered to be the largest Museum in Sri Lanka. It is maintained by its own dedicated Department of National Museum in Sri Lanka. It is home to many valuable and historically important objects such as the throne and the crown of the Kandyan Monarchs.

Pettah

Pettah is a neighbourhood in Colombo, Sri Lanka located east of the City centre Fort. The Pettah neighborhood is famous for the Pettah Market, a series of open air bazaars and markets. It is one of Sri Lanka's busiest commercial areas, where a huge number of wholesale and retail shops, buildings, commercial institutions and other organisations are located.

Pettah is derived from Tamil: Pettai, an Anglo-Indian word used to indicate a suburb outside a fort. Today, the Sinhala phrase, pita-kotuwa (outside the fort) conveniently describes the same place.

Galle Face Green

Galle Face Green is a favorite place for families, children, lovers and picnickers. While the hot sun makes carrying around an umbrella a must and the crows are a nuisance, it is still a beautiful place to relax, enjoy the beach and have meals. During the kite season, the skies over Galle Face Green are hidden behind the colorful kites that bring joy to the young and old. Those who enjoy people watching will be able to do a lot of observing at Galle Face Green, as it attracts people of various cultures, ethnicities and ages.

GangaramayaTemple

Delve into 19th century Gangaramaya Temple, one of the most significant places of worship in Colombo, featuring a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence, swirling with orange-robed monks revering radiant Buddha statues.

Copyrights © 2024 Hill Country Experience With Bruno. All Rights Reserved. Web Design by Web Design Sri Lanka