From school geography, many people remember the island of Ceylon, which on the map looked like a drop dripping from the cheek of India. It still looks like this, but it’s called something else. To emphasize their independence from Britain, proclaimed in 1972, Sri Lankans first renamed their country. Colombo, Sri Lanka-the largest city of this island state in South Asia, the official name of which is the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
General information: location, demographic composition, economy
The city of Colombo is located on the west coast of the island, closer to its southern part. At the same time, it is the capital of the Western Province, as well as the capital of the Colombo district of the same name, which is part of it.
In the city itself, about 613 thousand people live on an area of 37.3 square kilometers, in the district 2.5 million, and in the province — almost 6 million people. It is the largest and most populous territory in Sri Lanka. The present official capital of the country (since 1982), Sri Jayawardenepuru Kotte, is also located in the Greater Colombo agglomeration. Although the Parliament and the Supreme Court moved there, the Sri Lankan Government and the presidential residence remained in Colombo.
Several versions of the origin of the name of the city are associated with the Sinhalese words “harbor”, “green leaves” and” mango”: once on the site of the city there were endless mango thickets. And the third version – the name of the city was transformed and modified in the 16th century by the Portuguese, already from the existing one-in honor of Christopher Columbus.
And the harbour at Colombo was, and still is, deep and large, protected on three sides by jetties.
Next to the largest port in all of South Asia is the business center of Colombo Fort. The area is home to increasingly large shopping malls, prestigious colonial-style hotels, banks, and administrative buildings.
The districts of the city are significantly different from each other, as it happened historically. Some quarters of Colombo were previously inhabited only by Europeans, while others were occupied by the indigenous population of Sinhalese and Tamils and mixed groups: Moors, Burghers and Malays.
The vast majority of the population of Sri Lanka is Buddhist, there are also Hindus, Christians and Muslims. Throughout the city there are many beautiful temples of various concessions and architectural orientation.
Colombo is the cultural center of Sri Lanka and the largest industrial city. In the city limits and surrounding areas there are enterprises of oil refining, large chemicals, and production of building materials. Woodworking, leather and footwear industries are also developed. Precious stone processing and jewelry production are in a special place of honor.
For many centuries, the country was ruled by foreigners: first the Portuguese, then the Dutch, then the English. There is a Sri Lankan proverb about those times:”we gave black pepper and got red pepper.” This is due to the fact that the life of the local population under the Portuguese and Dutch was equally bitter.
But the British, who were the local colonizers for about a century and a half, are more friendly to the locals. The British began to grow tea and coffee, rubber trees, and built good roads here. The whole world learned about the island from the British.
But this is not all: many buildings in Colombo, which along with and mixed with examples of Buddhist and Hindu culture have become landmarks of the city, were built by them, the British.
Interesting fact. The place from which the city counts distances on roads, the so-called “zero kilometer” in Sri Lanka starts from the monument to Governor General Edward Barnes at the Presidential Palace. It was under his leadership that the country’s first road to Kandy was built in 1830.
Attractions and what to see in Colombo
City attractions are scattered throughout the big city, but if you set a goal, you can really visit most of them in 2 days. What’s the first thing to see in Colombo?
Clocktower
One of the few remaining landmarks in the city from colonial times is in the Colombo Fort area. The clock on the tower turned 100 years old in 2014. In fact, this Tower is an Old Lighthouse (Old Lighthouse, 1856), which for a long time served as a landmark for sea vessels. They passed by it or entered the harbor until 1952, when the lighthouse ceased to fulfill its purpose due to the development of the area.
Today, its function is performed by the Galle Buck Lighthouse, a new lighthouse rising 300 meters to the west.
The old lighthouse is notable for the fact that it used to have a clock, the mechanism of which was developed by the same manufacturer as the clock of the Big Ben Tower in London. And although the Old Lighthouse does not directly perform its function now, but only on it, the only lighthouse in the whole world, a clock is installed.
Address of the attraction: Colombo 1, intersection of Chatham and Janadhipathi Mawatha Streets.
Safety. There are many heavily guarded government offices in this area of Colombo that cannot be rented, and tourist movement is restricted. Therefore, it will be good luck if you can get closer to the Tower and capture the lighthouse in the photo.
Armed guards and throughout the center: this is an echo of the civil war. But all the scary stories here seem to be made up, the atmosphere in Colombo is calm, and the Sri Lankans are friendly and friendly. True, they are sometimes annoying, but much less so than Hindus. And you might think that the soldiers are standing in the city only to have something to do: smile at everyone, help travelers and tell them the way. All you need to do is not break the social rules.
Jami – ul – Alfar mosque
There are other older mosques on the island, but the main mosque of Sri Lanka (1909, architect G. L. Saibo Lebbe) is the most remarkable architectural structure in Colombo, and all tourists strive to get here.
The elegant red-and-white structure is associated with the same colors of a chessboard, and its architecture is a combination of South Indian and Hindu styles. Ornament: alternating cells, stripes, steps of two colors.
The temple is active, every day after the obligatory prayers of parishioners, the mosque is available for tourists, admission is free. You can take photos of the attraction both inside and outside.
Useful tip: following Islamic customs, tourists should also enter here with their heads and knees covered and leave their shoes at the entrance.
Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple
Colombo Sri Lanka’s largest Buddhist architectural and cultural attraction is centrally located on the shores of Lake Beira. Gangaramaya has been an important cultural center for Sri Lankans and a training center for Buddhist monks since the temple was founded in 1841
Architecturally, these are several separate one-story buildings in the form of “huts” with heavy triangular roofs. They have mats spread out, and everything is clean and quiet.
Gangaramaya has a huge library of religious literature, which, like the rest of the temple, is free to enter.
A wide variety of educational events are often held here, you can listen to lectures on historical and philosophical topics, as well as get acquainted with the works of famous Oriental scientists.
There are separate halls with gifts from travelers and offerings from visitors, with collections of statues and figurines of Buddhas.
In the famous “Garden of the Buddhas” you will see about a hundred of his statues, internal altars and frescoes dedicated to the life of the Buddha.
There is an annual colorful costumed procession (festival) with elephants called Gangarama Perahera. The elephant that lives at the temple also takes part in it.
The attendants and monks are friendly, smiling and gentle, and treat you to sweets. If your skirt is short, you will be given a piece of cloth to wrap around your waist before entering the temple.
Gangaramai’s rich art collections and exterior decoration are second to none even among the oldest or most ancient Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka.
- Address: Colombo 2, Slave Island, Sri Jinaratna Road 62
- The attraction is open every day from 6 am to 6 pm
- Entrance to the territory (except for the museum – 400 rupees) is free, but it is customary to leave donations.
See also: Kandy is the spiritual center of Sri Lanka.
State University (1921)
Although there are few well-known educational institutions in Sri Lanka, the university in Colombo is valued as an institution that provides quality education. Its graduates are ranked as highly qualified specialists in various countries. International students also study here.
In the year of its foundation, it was a branch of the University of London, and it graduated its first specialists in 1923. Main areas of training: legal, economic and marketing.
University buildings cover an area of 200 thousand square meters. m in the center of Colombo, in the area of famous Cinnamon Gardens. There are 7 faculties, four dozen different departments and 8 branches in the country. The administrative center of the State University is located in College House, and the office of the Vice-chancellor is also located there.
For travelers, the university complex is interesting for its landscaped territory: neatly manicured lawns, openwork carved gazebos, a special architectural style of university buildings. On this background, you will get wonderful photos, similar to pictures from the prospectuses about suburban construction.
The university has a library and its own observatory.
Entrance to the territory is free.
Viharamahadevi Park
A piece of old England in the middle of a bustling and colorful Asian city. It was built in the 19th century (1865) in the same prestigious area of Cinnamon Gardens. From its foundation until 1958, it was named after the British Queen Victoria, and now it is named after the Sinhalese Queen. At the entrance — a huge statue of the Buddha, which does not allow you to forget that after all this splendor is located in Asia.
It is clean and peaceful, with shady alleys, ornamental gazebos and circular pavilions where you can spend time with your family. You can take a boat ride on the lake or walk around it on foot. The audience is decent, there is a summer stage for musical concerts and a library, a children’s railway.
Part of the park is an arboretum with tropical shrubs and trees. Here you will see mahogany, which is valued in the furniture industry, teak and black ebony, so beloved by sculptors. The park also has a large aquarium.
Safety. Be careful when visiting parks and nature reserves. Although special vaccinations are not needed when flying to Sri Lanka, an anti-malarial pill can be taken. Wash your hands more often and don’t drink tap water – only factory-made bottled water.
Viharamahadevi is a popular holiday destination for the local affluent, as well as foreigners.
Entrance to the park is free.
Colombo National Museum
The landmark is located in a beautiful white mansion of the 19th century. The latter was founded during the reign of the English governor W. G. Gregory in 1877. It began with 800 exhibits, and over time the collection expanded and expanded, and since 1942 the museum has been ranked national.
Now in the halls and storerooms there are more than 100 thousand different exhibits: antiques, jewelry, paintings, a collection of ancient porcelain samples, sculptures, Buddhist religious memorabilia, coins; the throne, crown and personal belongings of the last king.
As part of the National Museum and the Natural History Museum, there are a myriad of rare natural curiosities of the local flora and fauna. And without a photo on the background of the skeleton of a huge, almost gigantic whale, not a single tourist or local resident leaves the museum. Children in this museum will also be interested, there is a puppet hall and a special children’s department.
The museum, like the above-described attractions in Colombo, is located in the Cinnamon Gardens area.
- Address: P. O. Box 854, Sir Marcus Fernando Mw., Colombo 07.
- Admission is paid, for foreigners: 1200 rupees, children’s and reduced tickets 600 rupees.
- Opening hours: from 9: 00 to 17: 00, daily except on national holidays.
There are no restrictions on taking photos and videos at the Colombo National Museum in Sri Lanka.
Galle Face Embankment
The spacious embankment, which stretches for 1.3 km – is a venue for mass city events, where citizens celebrate the New Year. During the day, you can just walk along the ocean, see how the local population plays sports, children launch kites.
By evening, the embankment comes to life, there are vendors of toys and souvenirs and fast food vans. Local youth make appointments here, and the evening embankment is their favorite place to relax.
Interesting fact. In addition to Sundays, weekends in Sri Lanka are also … full moon days. Sri Lankans have very convincing explanations on this subject: at this time of night, you don’t sleep well, your blood pressure jumps, wounds heal poorly, and everyone around you is more excited than usual. Therefore, it is better not to go to work these days. Well, what is not the reason?
Photos of other attractions in Colombo
How to get to the city from the airport
Colombo International Airport (S. Bandaranaike), where almost all our tourists arrive, is only 35 km north of the city. But the usual fast express trains, like from most other major airports, do not run from here. There are other ways to get to the city.
Bus
State Bus No. 187 can be taken at the airport itself (stop 50 m to the left of the exit) or at the Averiwatta Bus Station (2 km from the airport). Buses run from 5:30 to 20:00 pm (public and round-the-clock commercial).
A ticket costs Rs 190 on a public bus and Rs 500 on a private one. If the road is clear, the journey time is 30-40 minutes, but this is rare. Sometimes the road can take up to 2 hours. So No. 187 can only be called an express train with a big stretch.
In the city, you can get off at any stop along the route, or go to the final stop of Colombo Fort (Colombo Central Railway Station). Within one stop of the final stop, there are three bus stations in the Pettah market area, from where intercity buses go to any part of the country along the coast or to the central areas.
Taxi
At night and during the day, you can pick up a yellow car with checkers at the airport for 2700-3200 rupees at the reception or book a transfer in advance:
- passenger car (4 persons) price from $15 “economy” option;
- minivan – from 6 to 19 people, price on request.
Travel time is 45 minutes.
Tuk-tuk
Drivers of this exotic Asian transport can request the same amount as a taxi, although the journey to Colombo on these fast cars is twice as cheap and much longer. So be on your guard, and before you agree, bargain.
Public transport
The best way to get around the city is with the most affordable and colorful transport-the same small tuk-tuk cars. For a relatively small fee, they transport local residents and tourists along with taxis. Some taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers accept a fee based on the distance (Taxi-meter): tuk-tuk 40-50 rupees per 1 km, taxi 80-100 rupees/km, others-by agreement before boarding.
Useful tip! Often there are cases of fraud on the part of taxi drivers and auto rickshaws: despite the agreement, when leaving the transport, you may be charged a large fee. They may even accuse you of not understanding the agreement. Therefore, it is better to sit down with those drivers who use the Taxi-meter system (signs are attached to transport) and clearly discuss the route and cost of the trip at the very beginning.
No less colorful is the railway transport in Colombo. Tourists travel by train for fun, but local residents travel daily in crowded cars to work from the suburbs. Commuter trains are much cheaper than buses.
Colombo has a fairly extensive bus network, almost you can get to any part of the city. But with a few exceptions, almost the entire fleet of buses, both public and private, is old, often without air conditioning, cars go slowly and are always filled to capacity. The routes are confusing and difficult for tourists to navigate, although a bus ride around the city is cheaper than a taxi or tuk-tuk: the most expensive ticket costs 30 rupees.
Useful tip: if you decide to use this type of transport, then buy a map-map of bus routes.
Weather in Colombo
The sub-equatorial climate of Colombo is strongly influenced by monsoon winds, which blow from the northeast from December to February, and from May to September from the southwest. Due to the geographical location of the island, less comfortable weather is associated with the south-west monsoon. In the off-season, precipitation is caused by breezes and cyclones.
- The warmest months in Colombo (+ 33-34 ° C) are February, March and April.
- The sunniest days are January, February, and March. The sun is in the sky at this time every 20-22 days.
- Water in the sea is warmest from March to April, the average values for many years of observations from 29.3 to 30.1 degrees.
But the “coldest” months, if we can say so about the temperature of plus 30.1–30.6 degrees, are our summer months: June, July and August.
In summer, it also has the rainiest and windiest weather. Rain occurs 18-19 days every month, and the wind speed is 5.2 m / sec. But most of the precipitation falls in May and October – from 300 to 400 mm.
Safety. There are beaches in Colombo, but you can only spend time swimming on any of them if your stay in Sri Lanka is very limited, but there are a couple of free hours that you can spend on the ocean. For example, you are here on a business trip or in transit, or a flight attendant, or a pilot.
Still, Colombo is a port city and the water quality at the very shore is very good. Instead of going to the beach, take a refreshing dip in the hotel’s pool where you are staying overnight. So tourists on the local beaches are best not to go. For a beach holiday, it is better to choose one of the places located in the south of Colombo, for example, Bentota — one of the most prestigious resorts in the country.
The city impresses with a combination of antiquity and modernity, past and present. Colombo, Sri Lanka-a typical example of mixing Western and Eastern cultures. Take a break from the wonderful Sri Lankan beach resorts and at least briefly get acquainted with its sights, feel the spirit and rhythm of this unusual and rich in its history place.
Mirissa – Sri Lankan beach resort with affordable prices
