Colombo

Sri Lanka's economic centre is a colorful and bustling city. It's an interesting mix of Moor, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences with a history of over 600 years. The centre is known as 'Fort', but there is little sign of that today. The Fort area today is a collection of marble and glass structures along such venerable buildings such as the Miller's, building and the General Post Office. Most of the important government buildings are housed here, including the Janadhipahi Mandiraya (President's residence, known as the Queen's House in old times), but the President no longer stays here. The clock tower in Fort is a familiar landmark, which was a lighthouse 140 years ago.

The Pettah is Colombo's bustling bazaar area. It's many crisscrossing roads mark out sections which specializes in various trades from the latest models of Japanese electrical & electronic items, Swiss watches & Levi's jeans to used computers, sarees, spices and condiments, goldsmiths and jewelers, wholesale traders in rice, sugar, onions and lentils and chilies. There are quite a few Buddhist temples in the city. Worth a visit is the Gangaramaya Temple, near the Beira Lake. The most important temple close to Colombo is the Kelani Raja Maha Viharaya. This site date back to the very early dates of the Singhalese Buddhist civilization in this country. It is one of the three places in the country where Lord Buddha is supposed to have visited. The temple boasts of some very fascinating wall and ceiling paintings. Colombo has many Hindu temples, known as kovils. The New Kathiresan and Old Kathiresan Kovils, which are dedicated to the war god Skanda are the starting point for the annual Vel Festival. The huge Vel chariot is dragged to kovils in Galle road, Bambalapitiya. Other kovils worth visiting are the Sri Ponnabalam-Vanesvaram kovil in Kochchikade, and the Sri Shiva Subramania Swami kovil on Kew road, Slave Island. The Grand Mosque in Pettah is probably the most important mosque in Sri Lanka. Other places of importance are the National Zoo located south of city at Dehiwela. This is considered one of the largest zoos in South Asia. The Viharamahadevi Park, which is Colombo's biggest park with it's shady flowering trees right across the Town hall. The National Museum, which has a fine collection of ancient royal regalia, Singhalese artwork, antique furniture and china, and old manuscripts (You are not allowed to take photos). The Art Gallery focuses on portraiture and temporary exhibits by the local artists.