Colombo Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

  Colombo, the city, the executive and judicial capital of Sri Lanka.  (Sri Jayawardenepura Kote, a Colombo suburb, is the legislative capital.) Located on the west coast of the island, south of the Kelani River, Colombo is a major Indian Ocean port.  It is one of the largest artificial ports in the world and handles most of Sri Lanka's foreign trade.

  Colombo, Sri Lanka

  Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  © Dmitry Chulov / Shutterstock.  Colombo, Sri Lanka: Harbor

  Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  © joyful/shutterstock.com

  The earliest written mention of the port may be from Faxian, a 5th-century Chinese traveler who referred to the port as Gaolanbu.  The Sinhalese called the port of Colamba, which the Portuguese took from the Sinhalese word for the mango tree (kola, "leaves"; amba, "mango").  A more likely explanation is that kolamba was an Old Sinhalese word meaning "harbour" or "ferry."

  I

  Arab traders settled near the site of the modern port in the 8th century.  From the 16th century onwards the port was developed by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, who in turn established themselves on the island.  In 1815, when Sinhalese chieftains deposed the Raja of Kandy in the middle of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and handed over their territory to the British, Colombo became the capital of the island.  Western influence in the city has waned since Sri Lanka gained its independence in 1948.

  The oldest districts of the city, which are closest to the port and north of Beira Lake, are known as Qila and Petta (a name derived from the Tamil word pettai, meaning "city outside the fort").  The fort is still the focal point of government and commercial activities, though less so than before.  Petta has become a district of small shops, bazaars and sidewalk stalls with all the characteristics of an Oriental market.  The built up area of ​​the Cinnamon Garden, south of Lake Beira, was an important cinnamon growing area during the Dutch period.

  Important buildings in Colombo include the Secretariat, Town Hall, Clock Tower, St. Lucia Cathedral and the Galle Face Hotel.  Other distinctive buildings in the city are the Wollvendahl Church, built by the Dutch in 1749;  a complex of hospitals;  Colombo University (1921);  many Buddhist and Hindu temples;  and the residences of the head of state and the prime minister.

  Colombo

  Town Hall in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  mystic

  The city's manufacturing industries are based on the processing of raw materials exported through the port.  The general engineering industries are associated with the sale, service, repair and assembly of public utilities and motor vehicles and other machinery;  Light manufacturers process food, beverage and tobacco.  Many factories are located on the periphery of the city.  Colombo is also the commercial center of the island;  Head offices of local and foreign banks, insurance corporations (which have a monopoly on insurance), brokerage houses and government corporations are all located in the city.

  Trains connect Colombo to other major cities on the island.  There are also bus services within the city and to all parts of Sri Lanka.  The international airport is located in Katunayake, and the Ratmalana airport handles domestic flights.

  Colombo has many parks and playgrounds.  These include the seaside Galle Face Green, Vihar Maha Devi Park and the Ridgeway Golf Links.  Cricket and football (soccer and rugby) grounds are located throughout the city;  Tennis and track events are also popular.  Sea bathing and surfing can be enjoyed at Mount Lavinia Beach, which is about 7 miles (11 km) south of the city.  The National Zoological Park of Sri Lanka is located in nearby Dehiwala.  Pop.  (2007 est.) City, 672,743;  (2004 est.) Urban agglomeration., 2,490,300.