Culture and History in Colombo

First made the capital of Ceylon in 1815 by British colonial powers due to its strategic position along the East-West sea-trading routes, this port is now Sri Lanka’s largest and most developed city, boasting not only a rich history but also a diverse culture which embraces many different religions and nationalities and values both old traditions and global advancements. The oldest area in Sri Lanka’s capital is the Fort, the site of the Portuguese landings in the 16th century which was made into a fortified military base by the Dutch in 1656 before being used as an administrative centre by the British until Sri Lanka achieved independence in early 1948. There are many notable landmarks in this area including the lighthouse, St. Peter’s Church and the Old Dutch Hospital.

There are many ways to explore the history of Colombo: go on a walking tour around the Fort; stay at the historic Galle Face Hotel, one of the first hotels to open in Asia; visit Galle Face Green which stretches for half a kilometre beside the sea and is a fantastic family spot where children can fly kites or sample exciting street food, and see the oldest and most revered religious buildings in the city, which include the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque and Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.

If you would rather connect to the present-day culture of Colombo than delve into its past, there are a variety of ways to explore this fascinating multicultural society. Learn to cook traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry at a local house; take a guided tour of Slave Island, a historic district where the city’s diversity is particularly apparent; enjoy a tea tasting session and sample black, green and herbal Sri Lankan brews; go shopping for traditional crafts or browse through international brands, and explore the wide range of restaurant options available.