Colombo: what to see and do
Sri Lanka's western coast is home to Colombo, the island's financial centre. The city serves as the administrative capital of the Western Province and as the capital of Colombo District.
Things to do in Colombo
Beira Lake lies in central Colombo. Gangaramaya Temple stands beside the lake and dates from the late nineteenth century, and its Seema Malaka pavilion stands on the water. Its architecture brings together elements from Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and China.
Galle Face Green occupies 5 hectares of urban parkland beside the ocean. Its oceanside promenade was completed in 1859 under Governor Sir Henry George Ward. The green was used for horse racing from the 1820s and later for golf.
In Cinnamon Gardens, Independence Square contains Independence Memorial Hall. The hall commemorates independence from British rule, and its design draws on the Magul Maduwa celebration hall. Viharamahadevi Park, also in Cinnamon Gardens, formerly bore the name Victoria Park. The Colombo National Museum was founded by Sir William Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon, and was established on 1 January 1877.
Fort is Colombo's old colonial core and business district. Immediately beyond it lies Pettah, to the east of Fort and behind Colombo Port. Pettah takes its name from the Sinhala word pita, which means outside, and is known for its busy markets. The Old Parliament Building housed the legislature from 1930 to 1982 and now contains the Presidential Secretariat. The height of Colombo's Lotus Tower is 351.5 metres.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Portuguese explorers under Dom Lourenço de Almeida arrived in Sri Lanka in 1505. A siege ended with the Dutch taking Colombo in 1656. Under British rule, Colombo became the capital of the crown colony of British Ceylon. In 1948, Ceylon became independent of Britain.
Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, a role it kept in 1978 when the administrative capital moved to Kotte. The legislative capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, which adjoins Colombo's urban area. The inauguration of the new Parliament complex at Kotte took place on 29 April 1982.
Colombo city tour
The guided tuk tuk tour of Colombo city lasts 4 hours and 30 minutes. It includes a maintained tuk tuk, a professional local driver and commentary throughout the tour.
Tours from Colombo
The guided Sri Lanka highlights tour from Colombo lasts 5 days. Included are entry to Sigiriya rock fortress, a guided visit to the Polonnaruwa ruins, visits to the Dambulla cave temple complex, the spice and herb garden in Matale, Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, plus a cultural show in Kandy and a Colombo city tour.
The guided tour of Sri Lanka from Colombo lasts 7 days. It includes ground transport between destinations, a guide who speaks English, visits to Dambulla Cave Temple and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, and a guided tour of Galle Fort.
Arrival and climate
Sri Lanka's principal international airport is Bandaranaike International Airport, located about 32 kilometres north of Colombo. Colombo has a tropical rainforest climate, with average annual rainfall of about 2,400 millimetres. The monsoon seasons account for the main shifts in its weather.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Colombo in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka's western coast is home to Colombo, the island's financial centre.
Where is Gangaramaya Temple?
Gangaramaya Temple stands beside Beira Lake and dates from the late nineteenth century.
How long is the Colombo tuk tuk tour?
The guided tuk tuk tour of Colombo city lasts 4 hours and 30 minutes.
What is Galle Face Green?
Galle Face Green occupies 5 hectares of urban parkland beside the ocean.
What is the climate of Colombo like?
Colombo has a tropical rainforest climate, with average annual rainfall of about 2,400 millimetres.
