 Columbo is capital of Sri Lanka, 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.
How To Reach Columbo
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.
Places to go
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 ... |
