Sri Lanka commercial capital is an interesting blend of the varying influences, it has seen for more than 600 years. Its importance as a trading port increased after the arrival of the Portuguese to the island in the early 16th century.
Colombo continued to grow under the Dutch and British, and today shows the marked influence of all those cultures from the Islamic mosques, the Catholic, Dutch Reformed and Anglican churches. The Dutch Colonial style of architecture is very much in evidence, as are the special quarters for separate trades in the Colombo Fort and Pettah area.
While the Fort gets its name from the former military garrison which was located here under the Dutch and British, it is still the location of Janadhipathi Mandiraya, the President’s House. On its fringe is the beautiful sandstone building which houses the presidential Secretariat and the Government Secretariat, formally the parliament, almost a replica of Whitehall in England.
It is very rare sight indeed – a lighthouse in the middle of the city centre! A landmark in the Colombo Fort is the lighthouse with clock tower, a legacy of the British colonisers. For nearly 100 years it performed the dual task of being a beacon to ships in the Indian Ocean whilst keeping time. Designed by Lady Ward, wife of Governor sir Henry Ward, it was built in 1957 but installed in 1915 after being stored in a warehouse for 42 years due to lack of funds to install it. In 1950 a second lighthouse was constructed by the sea.
Galle Fast Green, the mile long promenade which borders the fort on the South, is the largest open air stretch in the city affording a beautiful view of the sunset. Around it are the main city hotels, from the Galle face hotel which was established in 1864, the Inter-Continental which is the first modern five-star facility, the Galadari Hotel and Taj Samudra. Nearby are the Colombo Hilton, The Cinnamon Grand and Ramada Hotel.
The Pattah, which was earlier on the outer fringe of the fort, is still the busiest shopping bazaar in the city. Its many criss-crossing roads mark out sections which specialises in various trades from textiles and sarees, spices and condiments, goldsmiths and jewellers, wholesale dealers in rice, sugar, lentils and chillies.
In recent years the shopping areas in Colombo have stretched southwards along Galle Road and R.A. de Mel Mawatha (Duplication Road) down though Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, Wellawatte and Havelock Town to Dehiwela and Mt Lavinia.
Colombo is replete with a grand array of restaurants offering tantalizing gastronomic delights. Japanese salmon sashimi, crab rice or tempura, Sri Lankan jumbo prawns and lobster, Indian tandoori chicken and chicken tikka, Italian ravioli or spaghetti bolognaise, Mexican tapas... You can have your pick! Most restaurants have artful edgy décor and are situated in charming surroundings giving you the right ambience to enjoy your meal.
It is worth your while to stroll over to the newly restored and opened Old Dutch Hospital, which is Colombo’s oldest building and now a shopping and dining ‘precinct’. A restored and charming 400 year old building. Upon entering it, you forget you are in the very heart of Colombo. The world trade centre twin-towers are visible only when you look up and because the walls are so thick, there’s no sound of traffic in the courtyards or in any of the eating or shopping areas. Well-known names from Colombo’s retail, entertainment and catering sectors have set up shop. Among them the Crab & semondu serving delicious seafood & Sri Lankan and international cuisine, the ‘O’ pub, Odel and Barefoot clothing stores, and spas, tea shops and curio shops...
The Gangarama temple complex and Bikkhu training centre is spread around the Beira Lake and also across the main road. Its imposing buildings with Buddhist artefacts from all over the world is a ‘must see’ site in the tourism itinerary.
There are many Buddhist temples in the city and the Buddhist Cultural Centre (Sri Lanka’s largest Buddhist books & information centre).Vajiraramaya at Bambalapitiya and Raja Maha Viharaya at Bellanwila, Dehiwala(are famous as centres of Buddhist learning) Gothami Viharaya, Borella (Modern mural painting by internationally famed artist George Keyt, Dipaduttaramaya, Colombo 13.( Oldest Buddhist temple in the city, build in 1806) and Paramananda Purana Viharaya, Colombo 13 ( also build in 1806) Asokaramaya and Issipatanaramaya at Thimbirigasyaya (with beautiful mural painting), Buddhist Cultural Centre at Neddimala, Dehiwala (famous for the rare collection of books published on Buddhism nationally & internationally) Karagampitiya Temple at Dehiwala (with Buddha statues with sapphires for eyes and frescoes) are few of the many Buddhist institutions in the city.
Facing the Bandaranaike Memorial international conference hall stands a beautifully executed statue of the Buddha in the standing posture. The statue is 36 feet tall and is the largest Buddha statue in the city of Colombo. It is replica of the Avukana statue on the banks of the Kalawawe Anuradhapura.
In addition to the above other places to visit in a typical tour of Colombo would include all, or some of these locations. The Wolvendhal Church (build by Dutch in 1757) St.Anthony’s Church and St.Lucia’s Cathedral, New Kathiresan Kovil (largest Hindu Kovil in the city).
Build in 1877, is a treasure trove of articles depicting Sri Lanka’s historical and cultural past and present including regalia of the last king. Town Hall (build with architectural similarity to many state capital buildings in America) Independence Memorial Hall (in the style of medieval kandyan audience hall) BMICH (1971) – Octagonal shaped conference hall with modern facilities – main hall could accommodate 1500 persons.
In the immediate suburbs of the city are two very important visitor attractions. One is the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, (a very important Buddhist temple in the North East of the city. And one of the three places in Sri Lanka where Lord Buddha visited has very fascinating wall and ceiling paintings by famous artist Solius Mendis. Its site dates to the very early days of the Sinhalese Buddhist civilization in Sri Lanka.
