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Encyclopedia > Colombo
Colombo
The skyline of the Fort area. The twin towers are the World Trade Center building and the other tower is the Bank of Ceylon
Official seal of Colombo
Seal
Map of Colombo with its administrative districts
Coordinates: 6°54′0″N 79°50′0″E / 6.9, 79.83333
District Colombo District
Government
 - Mayor Uvaiz Mohammad Imitiyaz (Sri Lanka Freedom Party)
Area
 - City 37.31 km²  (14.4 sq mi)
Population (2001)
 - City 642,163
 - Density 17,211/km² (44,576.3/sq mi)
 - Metro 2,234,289
Time zone Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)
Website: http://www.cmc.lk/

Colombo (Sinhala: , IPA: [ˈkoləmbə]; Tamil: கொழும்பு) is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the administrative capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial ruins[1] and a metropolitan population of over 600,000 people. [2] Image File history File linksMetadata Wtccolombo. ... Image File history File links CMCLogo. ... The official seal of Colombo consists of a coconut tree, the terrain of Colombo and a stream. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (675x726, 56 KB) Summary Created by me Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Colombo is a district of Sri Lanka. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... Uvais Mohamed Imtiyaz is the Mayor of Colombo, Sri Lanka. ... The Sri Lanka Freedom Party is one of the major political parties in Sri Lanka. ... Area is a physical quantity expressing the size of a part of a surface. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Population density by country, 2006 Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A time zone is a region of the Earth that has adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. ... A time zone is a region of the Earth that has adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. ... a resource to look at current viewpoints Categories: Indo-Aryan languages | Languages of Sri Lanka | Wikipedia cleanup | Language stubs ... Image File history File links Colombo_sinhala. ... Articles with similar titles include the NATO phonetic alphabet, which has also informally been called the “International Phonetic Alphabet”. For information on how to read IPA transcriptions of English words, see IPA chart for English. ... Tamil ( ; IPA ) is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamils in India and Sri Lanka, with smaller communities of speakers in many other countries. ... Sri Jayewardenapura-Kotte, also known as Kotte, is the legislative capital of Sri Lanka. ...


The name Colombo, first introduced by the Portuguese in 1505, was derived from the classical Sinhalese name Kolon thota, meaning "port on the river Kelani".[3] It has also been suggested that the name may be derived from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means "harbor with leafy mango trees".[4] a resource to look at current viewpoints Categories: Indo-Aryan languages | Languages of Sri Lanka | Wikipedia cleanup | Language stubs ... Kelaniya is a small town very close to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. ...


Due to its large natural harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders since more than 2,000 years ago. However it was only made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815,[5] and its status as capital was retained when the nation received independence in 1948. In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. A harbor or harbour (see spelling differences), or haven, is a place where ships may shelter from the weather or are stored. ... old logo current logo Eastwest Records was started in 1955 as a subsidiary label of Atlantic Records. ... A trade route is the sequence of pathways and stopping places used for the commercial transport of cargo. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... Sri Jayewardenapura-Kotte, also known as Kotte, is the legislative capital of Sri Lanka. ...


Like many cities, Colombo's urban area extends well beyond the boundaries of a single local authority, encompassing other Municipal and Urban Councils. The main city is home to a majority of the Sri Lanka's corporate offices, restaurants and entertainment venues.[4] Famous landmarks in Colombo include The Galle Face Green, the Viharamahadevi Park as well as the National Museum. Mayor-Council government is one of two variations of government most commonly used in modern representative municipal governments in the United States. ... The Galle Face Green is a historic promenade, which stretches for half kilometer along the coast in the heart of financial and business district of Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka. ... Viharamahadevi Park with the Colombo town hall in view with its famous Buddha statue and fountains The Viharamahadevi Park is a public park located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. ...

Contents

History

An artist's view the Colombo harbor c 1920

As Colombo possesses a natural harbor, it was known to Romans, Arabs, and Chinese traders over 2,000 years ago. Traveler Ibn Batuta who visited the island in the 14th century, referred to it as Kalanpu.[6] Arabian Muslims whose prime interests were trade, began to settle in Colombo around the 8th century CE mostly because the port helped their business and controlled much of the trade between the Sinhalese kingdoms and the outside world. They now comprise the local Sri lankan Moor community. [5][7] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Motto Senatus Populusque Romanus (SPQR) The Roman Empire at its greatest extent. ... Languages Arabic other minority languages Religions Predomiantly Sunni Islam, as well as Shia Islam, Greek Orthodoxy, Greek Catholicism, Maronite, Alawite Islam, Druze, Ibadi Islam, and Judaism Footnotes a Mainly in Antakya. ... Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta (February 24, 1304 - 1377) was a Moroccan Berber traveller and explorer. ... A Muslim is a believer in or follower of Islam. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...


The Portuguese Era

Portuguese explorers led by Don Lourenço de Almeida first arrived in Sri Lanka in 1505. During their initial visit they made a treaty with the King of Kotte Parakramabahu VIII (1484-1508) enabling them to trade in the islands' crop of cinnamon, which lay along the coastal areas of the island, including in Colombo.[8] As part of the treaty, the Portuguese were given full authority over the coast line in exchange for the promise of guarding the coast against invaders. They were also allowed to establish a trading post in Colombo.[8] Within a short time, however, they then expelled the Muslim inhabitants of Colombo and began to build a fort there in 1517. Lourenço de Almeida (died 1508), son of Francisco de Almeida, acting under him, distinguished himself in the Indian seas, and made Ceylon tributary to Portugal. ... A trading post is a place where trading of goods takes place. ... Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ...


The Portuguese soon realized that control of Sri Lanka was necessary for protection of their coastal establishments in India and they began to manipulate the rulers of the Kotte Kingdom in order to gain control of the area. After skillfully exploiting rivalries within the Royal Family, they took control of a large area of the Kingdom and the Sinhalese King Mayadunne established a new Kingdom at Sitavaka, a domain in the Kotte kingdom.[8] Before long he annexed much of the Kotte kingdom and forced the Portuguese to retreat to Colombo, which was repeatedly besieged by Mayadunne and the later Kings of Sitawaka, forcing them to seek reinforcement from their major base in Goa, India. However, following the fall of the Kingdom in 1593, the Portuguese were able to establish complete control over the entire coastal area, with Colombo as their capital.[8][9] , Goa   (Konkani: गोंय goṃya; Marathi: govā; Portuguese: ) is Indias smallest state in terms of area and the fourth smallest in terms of population (after Sikkim, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh). ... Complete Control is a song by The Clash, released as a 7 single and featured on the US release of their debut album. ...

The historical Wolvendhal church established during the Dutch era in the 1749
The historical Wolvendhal church established during the Dutch era in the 1749

This part of Colombo is still known as Fort and houses the presidential palace and the majority of Colombo's five star hotels. The area immediately outside Fort is known as Pettah (Sinhala piṭa koṭuva, "outer fort") and is a commercial hub. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (400x602, 87 KB) Summary Created by me Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (400x602, 87 KB) Summary Created by me Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Stars are also used to classify senior military ranks. ...


The Dutch Era

In 1638 the Dutch signed a treaty with King Rajasinha II of Kandy which assured the king assistance in his war against the Portuguese in exchange for a monopoly of the island's major trade goods. The Portuguese resisted the Dutch and the Kandyans, but were gradually defeated in their strongholds beginning in 1639.[10] They captured Colombo in 1656 after an epic siege, at the end of which a mere 93 Portuguese survivors were given safe conduct out of the fort. Although the Dutch initially restored the captured area back to the Sinhalese Kings, they later refused to turn them over and gained control over the island's richest cinnamon lands including Colombo which then served as the capital of the Dutch maritime provinces under the control of the Dutch East India Company until 1796.[10][11] Safe conduct signifies the security given by authority of a government to a stranger for his quietly coming into and passing out of the territories over which the government has jurisdiction or control. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ...

The VOC (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) logo of Dutch East India Company on the gates of Wolvendhal church
The VOC (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) logo of Dutch East India Company on the gates of Wolvendhal church

Image File history File linksMetadata Voclogo. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Voclogo. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ...

The British era

Although the British captured Colombo in 1796, it remained a British military outpost until the Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to them in 1815 and they made Colombo the capital of their newly created crown colony of Ceylon. Unlike the Portuguese and Dutch before them, whose primary use of Colombo was as a military fort, the British began constructing houses and other civilian structures around the fort, giving rise to the current City of Colombo.[5] The armed forces of the United Kingdom, commonly known as the British Armed Forces or Her Majestys Armed Forces, and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown[1], encompasses a navy, army, and an air force. ... Location of the British Overseas Territories A British Overseas Territory is one of fourteen[1] territories which the United Kingdom considers to be under its sovereignty, but not as part of the United Kingdom itself. ...


Initially, they placed the administration of the city under a "Collector", and John Macdowell of the Madras Service was the first to hold the office. Then, in 1833, the Government Agent of the Western Province was charged with the administration of the city. Centuries of colonial rule had meant a decline of indigenous administration of Colombo, and in 1865 the British conceived a Municipal Council as a means of training the local population in self-governance. The Legislative Council of Ceylon constituted the Colombo Municipal Council in 1865 and the Council met for the first time on the January 16, 1866. At the time, the population of the region was around 80,000.[5] Madras Presidency, also known as Madras Province and known officially as Presidency of Fort St. ... A Government Agent (GA) is a Sri Lankan civil servant apponited by the central government to govern a certain district of the country. ... It has been suggested that Benign colonialism be merged into this article or section. ... Self-governance is an abstract concept that refers to several scales of organization. ...


During the time they were in control of the Colombo, the British were responsible for much of the planning of the present city. In some parts of the city tram car tracks and granite flooring laid during the era are still visible today.[12][13] This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...


Post Independence

This era of colonialism ended peacefully in 1948 when Ceylon gained independence from Britain.[14]


Because of the tremendous impact on the city's inhabitants and the country at large, the changes that resulted at the end of the colonial period were drastic. An entire new culture took root. Changes in laws and customs, clothing styles, religions and proper names were a significant result of the colonial era.[14] These cultural changes were followed by the strengthening of the island's economy. Even today, the influence of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British is clearly visible in Colombo’s architecture, names, clothing, food, language and attitudes. Buildings from all three eras stand in their glory as reminders of the turbulent past of Colombo. The city and its people show an interesting mix of European clothing and lifestyles together with local customs.[14] Colombo is by far more modern than most cities in neighboring countries and continues to be a blossoming metropolis of the East.


Historically, Colombo referred to the area around the Fort and Pettah Market which is famous for the variety of products available as well as the Khan Clock Tower, a local landmark. At present, it refers to the city limits of the Colombo Municipal Council. More often, the name is used for the Conurbation known as Greater Colombo, which encompasses several Municipal councils including Kotte, Dehiwela and Colombo. Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Clock Tower built in Colombo, Sri Lanka by the Khan Family of Bombay around the turn of the century. ... // Colombo Municipal Council Colombo Municipal Council Vision “Colombo being a model city in Asia, a caring organization looking after interests of citizens and users with an efficient quality service for creation of safe, healthy and wealthy life” Mission “Organization achieving excellence in providing citizen centered services to the public / customer... A conurbation is an urban area comprising a number of cities, towns and villages which, through population growth and expansion, have physically merged to form one continuous built up area. ... Colombo city has been sub divided into 15 postal zones. ... Municipal council (conseil municipal)(maire) Despite enormous differences in population, each of the communes of the French Republic possesses a mayor (maire) and a municipal council (conseil municipal) which manage the commune from the mairie (city hall), with exactly the same powers no matter the size of the commune (with... District Kotte Division, Colombo District Government  - Mayor Swarnalatha Silva (Sri Lanka Freedom Party) Area  - City 17 km²  (6. ...


Although Colombo lost its status as the capital of Sri Lanka in the 1980s, it continues to be the island's commercial center. Despite the official capital of Sri Lanka moving to the adjacent Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, most countries still maintain their diplomatic missions in Colombo.[15] - Seal on the building of German Embassies. ...


Geography and climate

Geography

Viharamahadevi Park with the Colombo town hall in view with its famous Buddha statue and fountains
Viharamahadevi Park with the Colombo town hall in view with its famous Buddha statue and fountains

Colombo's geography is a mix of hilly, flat and marshy land. The north and the south parts of the city are hilly and the east and south east areas are bordered by marshy land. The city has many canals and the Beira Lake in the heart of the city. The Northern and North-Eastern border of the city is formed by the Kelani river, which meets the sea in a part of the city known as the Modera (mōdara in Sinhala) which means "Delta". Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Viharamahadevi Park with the Colombo town hall in view with its famous Buddha statue and fountains The Viharamahadevi Park is a public park located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. ... Nile River delta, as seen from Earth orbit. ...


Climate

Colombo’s climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year. During the March - April the temperature averages around 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit) maximum.[16] The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January. This is the time of year where heavy rains can be expected. Colombo sees little relative diurnal range of temperature, although this is more marked in the drier winter months, where minimum temperatures average 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). Rainfall in the city averages around 2,400 mm a year. Fahrenheit is a temperature scale named after the German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736), who proposed it in 1724. ... Monsoon in the Vindhya mountain range, central India A monsoon is a rainy season which lasts for several months and has lasting climatic effects. ...

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Avg Temp °C
(°F)
27
(81)
27
(82)
28
(83)
28
(84)
28
(84)
28
(83)
28
(83)
28
(83)
28
(83)
27
(82)
27
(81)
27
(81)
27
(82)
Precipitation cm 8 6 11 25 33 19 12 9 15 35 30 15 223

source: Weatherbase A centimetre (American spelling centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of length that is equal to one hundredth of a metre, the current SI base unit of length. ...

Demographics

Gangaramaya Temple in the Beira Lake in the slave island area
Gangaramaya Temple in the Beira Lake in the slave island area

Colombo is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural city. The population of Colombo is a mix of Sinhalese, Moors and Tamils. There are small communities of people with Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, Malay and Indian origins living here. Colombo is the most populated city in Sri Lanka. According to the census of 2001 the demographics of urban Colombo by ethnicity is as follows. Image File history File links Seema. ... Image File history File links Seema. ... The Sinhalese are the main ethnic group of Sri Lanka. ... The Moors were the medieval Muslim inhabitants of the western Mediterranean and western Sahara, including: al-Maghrib (the coastal and mountain lands of present day Morocco and Algeria, and Tunisia although Tunisia often is separately called Ifriqiya after the former Roman province of Africa); al-Andalus (the former Islamic sovereign... Sri Lanka Tamils could mean Sri Lanka Tamils who are considered to be native Sri Lanka Tamils who are of Indian origin This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Ethnicity Population % Of Total
Sri Lankan Moors 120,109 31.83
Sri Lankan Tamils 117,510 31.14
Sinhalese 117,090 31.03
Indian Tamils 7,946 2.11
Malays 8,680 2.30
Burghers 3,380 0.90
Sri Lankan Chetty 479 0.13
Bharatha 138 0.04
Other 2,064 0.55
Total 377,396 100

Source: Census 2001 Islam in Sri Lanka is practiced entirely by Sri Lankan Muslims, who make up approximately 8% of the population, comprise a group of minorities practicing the religion of Islam in Sri Lanka. ... Sri Lankan Tamils also known as Eelam Tamils, Ceylonese or Ceylon Tamils and Jaffna Tamils are today a trans-national minority, and are Tamil people from Sri Lanka. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The Indian Tamils or Hill-country Tamils, are descended from indentured labourers sent from South India to Sri Lanka in the 19th and 20th centuries to work in coffee plantations there (and, after the collapse of coffee planting in Sri Lanka, in tea and rubber plantations). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Burgher can refer to: A title. ... Colombo Chetty, also known as Colombo Chetties, Colombo Chittis or Colombo Hetties, are a formerly endogamous Sri Lankan social group or caste. ... Bharata is the name of three different persons in Hindu mythology. ...


Note: The totals are calculated through enumerations made from Colombo DS and Thimbirigasyaya DS, also part of Colombo Municipal Council.


Government and politics

The City Town Hall in Cinnamon Gardens is the mayor's office
The City Town Hall in Cinnamon Gardens is the mayor's office

Colombo is a charter city, with a Mayor Council form of government. Colombo's mayor and the council members are elected through local government elections held once in five years. For the past 50 years the city had been ruled by the United National Party. Image File history File linksMetadata TownhallColombo. ... Image File history File linksMetadata TownhallColombo. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Incorporated town. ... Mayor-Council government is one of two variations of government most commonly used in modern representative municipal governments in the United States. ... The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP Sinhalese: එක්සත් ජාතික පක්ෂය (pronounced Eksath Jathika Pakshaya), Tamil: ஐக்கிய தேசியக் கட்சி), is a leading political party in Sri Lanka. ...


The city government provides sewer, road management and waste management services, in case of water, electricity and telephone utility services the council liaises with the water supply and drainage board, the Ceylon electricity board and telephone service providers.


As with most Sri Lankan cities, the magistrate court and the district court handles felony crimes — the Municipal Council deals with parking tickets, traffic infractions, and misdemeanors. Colombo houses the country's largest jail known as the Magazine Prison. And headquarters of the Police, Army, Navy, Air Force and many other judicial offices including the Supreme Court are in Colombo. The law enforcement agencies also liaise with the municipal council but are managed by the ministry of interior and ministry of justice of the central government. The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka is the highest court of the land. ... A justice minister is a ministerial position in the governments of some countries, with general responsibility for policing and the maintenance of public order. ...

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in Colombo
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in Colombo

Image File history File linksMetadata Supreme_Court_Colombo. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Supreme_Court_Colombo. ...

Official Vision and mission

The Old Parliament Building the near the Galle Face Green, now the Presidential Secretariat
The Old Parliament Building the near the Galle Face Green, now the Presidential Secretariat

Image File history File linksMetadata OldParliment. ... Image File history File linksMetadata OldParliment. ...

Vision

“Colombo being a model city in Asia, a caring organization looking after interests of citizens and users with an efficient quality service for creation of safe, healthy and wealthy life.”[17]


Mission

“Organization achieving excellence in providing citizen centered services to the public / customer, optimizing the use of available resources through a competent, motivated and dedicated team.” [17]


Economy

The great majority of Sri Lankan corporations have their head offices in Colombo. Some of the industries include chemicals, textiles, glass, cement, leather goods, furniture, and jewelry. In the city center is located South Asia's second tallest building - The World Trade Center. The 40 story Twin Tower complex is the centre of important commercial establishments, situated in the Fort district, the city's nerve center. Right outside the Fort area is Pettah which is derived from the Sinhalese word pita which means out or outside as it is outside the Fort. While determining the worlds tallest structure has generally been straightforward, the definition of the worlds tallest building or the worlds tallest tower is less clear. ... This article discusses an architectural design. ...


Pettah is more crowded than the fort area. It's a place you can buy almost anything you want, Pettah's roads are always packed and pavements are full of small stalls selling from delicious Sharbat to Shirts. Main Street comprises mostly of clothes shops and the cross roads, which are literally known as Cross Streets where each of the five Streets specializes in a specific business. For example the first cross street mostly comprises electronic goods shops, the second cellular phones and fancy goods. Most of these businesses in Pettah are dominated by Muslim traders. At the end of the main street further away from Fort is the Sea Street, Sri Lanka's Gold market. This mile long street is full of jewelery shops. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Sharbat (Urdu: شربت ) is a popular Middle Eastern and South Asian juice that is prepared from fruits or flower petals. ... Business shirt A shirt is a piece of clothing for the trunk of the body. ... Electronics is the study of the flow of charge through various materials and devices such as, semiconductors, resistors, inductors, capacitors, nano-structures, and vacuum tubes. ... Cellular redirects here. ...


The Colombo Metropolitan Region (CMR) encompasses the country's administrative capital Kotte and Colombo. Found within the borders of the CMR is 80% of the country’s industrialization and over 60% of all vehicles plying Sri Lankan roads.


Education

Colombo is home to some of the island's top schools and universities. Education in Sri Lanka is free and 10 years of schooling is compulsory for everyone. Royal College is one of the oldest educational institutions of Sri Lanka with a history of more than 170 years. Ananda College with the largest Buddhist student population, Zahira College, with the largest Muslim student population in Sri Lanka, and Colombo Hindu College with the largest Hindu student population are also located in Colombo. Most of the schools in the city are managed by the provincial council and the prominent schools with many facilities that fall under the national schools scheme are managed by the central government. Royal College, Colombo was founded in January 1835. ... Ananda College, established November 1, 1886 by the Buddhist Theosophical Society, is one of Sri Lankas oldest schools. ... // Summary Zahira College Colombo is the very first Muslim school in Sri Lanka. ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ... Hindu College, Colombo is a leading Tamil language National School situated in the suburb of Colombo- 4. ...


The University of Colombo, the only university in the city, has courses in many disciplines such as Arts, Science, Medicine, Law, Management and Computer Science. The university's school of computing is famous for its contributions to the Apache web server software project. The University of Colombo (also known as UoC), Sri Lankas oldest university, is located in the urban centre of Colombo. ... The Apache HTTP Server, commonly referred to simply as Apache, is a web server notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web. ...

Gallery Island
Gallery Island

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Infrastructure

Colombo has most of the amneties that a modern city has. Majority of the major shopping malls in Sri Lanka are located in the city. And all of them are wi-fi enabled. In recent times there's been an outpour of high rise condominiums in the city, mainly due to the very high land prices. Official Wi-Fi logo Wi-Fi was originally a brand licensed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to describe the embedded technology of wireless local area networks (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802. ... High-rise is a 1975 novel by J. G. Ballard. ...


Landmarks

The two World Trade Center towers have become the most recognized landmarks of the city in recent years. Before these towers were completed in 1997, the adjacent Bank of Ceylon tower was the tallest structure and the most prominent landmark of the city. Before the skyscrapers were built it was the Old Parliament Building that stood majestically in the Fort district. The Bank of Ceylon is a major, government-owned commercial bank in Sri Lanka. ...


Even before the parliament was built some claim that the Jami Ul Alfar mosque was recognized as the landmark of Colombo by sailors approaching the port. The mosque is still one of the most visited tourist sites in Colombo. A sailor is a member of the crew of a ship or boat. ... Seaport, a painting by Claude Lorrain, 1638 The Port of Wellington at night. ... The Masjid al-Haram in Mecca as it exists today A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ...

The Jami Ul Alfar mosque in the Pettah area, one of the oldest mosques in Colombo
The Jami Ul Alfar mosque in the Pettah area, one of the oldest mosques in Colombo

The Fort district also has the famous Cargills & Millers complex that is protected by a special government law from demolition. This is done mainly to preserve the historic beauty of the Fort area. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (400x602, 111 KB) Summary Created by me Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (400x602, 111 KB) Summary Created by me Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ...

The historical "Cargills & Millers" building
The historical "Cargills & Millers" building

The Galle Face Green is the city's largest and most elegant promenade. Lined with palm trees and adjacent to the coast, this mile-long stretch in the heart of the city is a constant beehive of activity. The green is especially busy on Fridays and Saturdays. In the evenings it plays host to families and children playing sports and flying kites, lovers embracing under umbrellas and health enthusiasts taking their daily evening walks. There are numerous small food stalls and a small stretch of beach to get wet. The green was recently given a make over and since then has been even more popular with the local community. The Green also frequently hosts numerous international and local concerts and performances, such as the recently concluded World Drum Festival. Image File history File links Millers. ... Image File history File links Millers. ... A Promenade is a seaside walkway constructed so that people can enjoy walking near the sea without getting their clothes wet and dirty. ... Genera Many; see list of Arecaceae genera Arecaceae (also known as Palmae or Palmaceae), the palm family, is a family of flowering plants, belonging to the monocot order Arecales. ... A mile is a unit of length, usually used to measure distance, in a number of different systems, including Imperial units, United States customary units and Norwegian/Swedish mil. ... Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival held on the fourth Sunday every May in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan Kite flying is the activity of flying tethered man-made objects in wind. ...


Cannons used during wartime in the colonial era are still laid out for observance and prestige at the Green, giving a colonial touch to the city. The famous colonial styled Galle Face Hotel, known as Asia's Emerald on the Green since 1864, is also adjacent to Galle Face Green. The Hotel has played host to distinguished guests including the British Royal Family and other Royal Guests and Celebrities. Apparently after having stayed at the hotel, Princess Alexandra of Denmark had commented that "the peacefulness and generosity encountered at the Galle Face Hotel cannot be matched".[18] Around the corner from Galle Face are prominent coffee bars, chic bars and boutiques. Not to be confused with Canon. ... In general, the word colonial means of or relating to a colony. In United States history, the term Colonial is used to refer to the period before US independence. ... Galle Face Hotel at night The Galle Face Hotel, founded in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1864, is one of the oldest hotels in Asia. ... Members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Colour ceremony The British Royal Family is a shared royal family. ... Members of the British Royal Family This article is about the monarchy-related concept. ... Alexandra Christina, Countess of Frederiksborg (née Alexandra Christina Manley, formerly HRH Princess Alexandra of Denmark, HH Princess Alexandra of Denmark), born 30 June 1964, is a former member of the Danish Royal House. ... A cup of coffee Workers sorting and pulping coffee beans in Guatemala Mature coffee fruit still on the plant Coffee is a widely consumed beverage prepared from the roasted seeds — commonly referred to as beans — of the coffee plant. ...


Public Transportation

Colombo's public transportation consists of buses, trains, auto rickshaws (commonly called "three wheelers" in Sri Lanka) and taxicabs. The bus service is operated both by private and government sectors. Three wheelers are entirely operated by individuals and hardly regulated whilst cab services are run by private companies and are metered. Trains are also largely used and is the cheapest form of transport - although often overcrowded with a limited network. Skytrain Bangkok. ... Passengers and drivers meet at this auto rickshaw stand in Chennai. ... Taxicab, short forms taxi or cab, is a type of public transport for a single passenger, or small group of passengers, typically for a non-shared ride. ...


Construction of the Colombo Metro Rail, a Mass Rapid Transit railway system, similar to that of other advanced Asian cities has begun to control the excessive traffic in the city. The project is carried out by NEB Rapid an Indian and Singaporean collaboration.[19] [20] A rapid transit, underground, subway, tube, elevated, or metro(politan) system is a railway—usually in an urban area—with a high capacity and frequency of service, and grade separation from other traffic. ... French 1912 drawing of typical elements of railways Railway tracks running through a railway station in North East England, UK A railway yard in Portland, Oregon. ...


Culture

Annual cultural events and fairs

Colombo's most beautiful festival is the celebration of Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment and Death all falling on the same day.[21]In Sinhala this is known as Vesak. [21] Media:Example. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ...

Vesak Lanterns, A type of pooja (offering) known as Aloka pooja (offering of light). Followed by the buddhists
Vesak Lanterns, A type of pooja (offering) known as Aloka pooja (offering of light). Followed by the buddhists

During this festival, much of the city is decorated with lanterns, lights and special displays of light(known as Thoran). The festival falls in mid May and lasts a week when many Sri Lankans visit the city to see the lantern competitions and decorations. During this week people distribute, rice, drinks and various other food items for free in places what is known as Dunsal which means charity place. These Dunsals are popular amongst visitors from the suburbs. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ...


Christmas is another major festival in the city. Although Sri Lanka's Christians make up only just over 7% of the population, Christmas is one of the island's biggest festivals. Most streets and commercial buildings light up from the beginning of December and festive sales begin at all shopping centres and department stores. Caroling and nativity plays are also frequent sights during the season.


Performing arts

Colombo has several performing arts centers which are popular for their musical and theatrical performances. The most famous performing arts centers are the Lionel Wendt Theater, the Elphinstone and the Tower Hall, all of which have a very rich history. The performing arts are those forms of art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artists own body, face and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some...


Museums and art collections

The National Museum of Colombo, was established on 1st of January ,1877 during the tenure of the British Colonial Governor Sir William Henry Gregory is situated in Cinnamon Gardens area.[22]The museum houses the jewelery and throne of the last king of the country, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe.[22] He was captured and executed by the English in 1815. Colombo does not boast a very big art gallery. There is only a small collection of Sri Lankan masterpieces at the Art Gallery in Green Path.

The Murugan Hindu temple in slave island district
The Murugan Hindu temple in slave island district
The colonial era All Saints Church in the Dam Street area
The colonial era All Saints Church in the Dam Street area

Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (960 × 1280 pixel, file size: 291 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Hindu temple, Colombo, Sri Lanka. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (960 × 1280 pixel, file size: 291 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Hindu temple, Colombo, Sri Lanka. ... Murugan (also Murugan) (Tamil: ) is a popular Hindu deity amongst Tamil Hindus. ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (400x602, 52 KB) Summary created by me Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (400x602, 52 KB) Summary created by me Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ...

Sports

Undoubtedly the most popular sport in Sri Lanka is cricket. The country emerged as champions of the 1996 Cricket World Cup. The sport is played in parks, playgrounds, beaches and even in the streets of the city. Colombo is also the home for two of the country's international cricket stadiums, Sinhalese Sports Club's cricket stadium and R Premadasa Stadium (named after late president Premadasa). Rugby is also a popular sport at the club and school level. Colombo has the distinction of being the only city in the world to have 4 cricket Test venues in the past: P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo Cricket Club Ground and Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium. Bowler Shaun Pollock bowls to batsman Michael Hussey. ... The Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of mens One-Day International (ODI) cricket. ... The structure of international cricket has evolved only recently from a traditional ad hoc basis. ... The Sinhalese Sports Club is a first-class cricket club in Sri Lanka. ... This article is about the sport. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Ranasinghe Premadasa (June 23, 1924 - May 1, 1993) was the President of Sri Lanka from January 2, 1989 to May 1, 1993. ... A rugby union scrum. ... Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. ... SCC ground, Colombo March 2001 (Test match between Sri Lanka and England) The Sinhalese Sports Club SSC is the home of Sri Lanka cricket housing the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) as well as being an important ground for major domestic and international matches. ... Colombo Cricket Club Ground (CCCG) is a multi-use stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. ... Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. ...


Media

Almost all major media businesses in Sri Lanka operate from Colombo. The state media has its offices in Bullers Road. The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, formerly known as Radio Ceylon, is also situated in Colombo. The SLBC is the oldest radio station in South Asia. The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) (Tamil:இலங்கை ஒளிபரப்பு ஸ்தாபனம்) came into existence on January 5th 1967 when Radio Ceylon became a public corporation. ... Radio Ceylon is the oldest radio station in Asia. ... Map of South Asia (see note on Kashmir). ...


Fashion

The city is a popular fashion center in South East Asia today. The industry has evolved to meet modern standards and conducts regular shows to showcase local talent. Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ...


Notes & References

  1. ^ How Colombo Derived its Name. Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
  2. ^ Colombo District Population (html). Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
  3. ^ "Colombo - then and now", Padma Edirisinghe, The Sunday Observer, 14 February 2004. 
  4. ^ a b World Executive Colombo Hotels and City Guide
  5. ^ a b c d History of Colombo. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  6. ^ John, Still (1996). Index to the Mahawansa:Together with Chronological Table of Wars and Genealogical Trees. AES, 85. ISBN 81-206-1203-5. 
  7. ^ Prof. Manawadu, Samitha. Cultural Routes Of Sri Lanka As Extensions Of International Itineraries : Identification Of Their Impacts On Tangible & Intangible Heritage pp 3 (pdf). Retrieved on 2007-01-17.
  8. ^ a b c d European Encroachment and Dominance:The Portuguese (html). Sri Lanka: A Country Study. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
  9. ^ Ross,, Russell R.; Savada, Andrea Matles (08/14/90). Sri Lanka: A Country Study. Defense Dept., Army, 360p. ISBN 0-16-024055-7. 
  10. ^ a b European Encroachment and Dominance:The Dutch (html). Sri Lanka: A Country study. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
  11. ^ Ross,, Russell R.; Savada, Andrea Matles (08/14/90). Sri Lanka: A Country Study. Defense Dept., Army, 360p. ISBN 0-16-024055-7. 
  12. ^ Ross,, Russell R.; Savada, Andrea Matles (08/14/90). Sri Lanka: A Country Study. Defense Dept., Army, 360p. ISBN 0-16-024055-7. 
  13. ^ European Encroachment and Dominance:The British Replace the Dutch (html). Sri Lanka: A Country study. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
  14. ^ a b c Adrian, Wijemanne (03/1/96). War and Peace in Post-Colonial Ceylon 1948-1991. Orient Longman, 111p. ISBN 8125003649. 
  15. ^ GoAbroad.com, Embassies located in Sri Lanka
  16. ^ Colombo weather. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
  17. ^ a b Colombo Municipal, Council. Mission & Vision. Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
  18. ^ Galle Face, Hotel. Princess Alexandra's Visit (html). Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
  19. ^ Lanka Business Online. Light Rail. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  20. ^ Lanka Business Online. Light Rail Study Group. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  21. ^ a b Venerable Mahinda. Significance of Vesak (html). www.buddhanet.net. Retrieved on 2007-02-19.
  22. ^ a b History of Colombo National Museum. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... January 18 is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... January 18 is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 21 is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... John Still (c. ... AES is a three-letter abbreviation with multiple meanings, as described below: Advanced Encryption Standard, in cryptography, a standardized block cipher Advanced Encryption Standard process, in cryptography, the process of choosing an algorithm for standardization as AES Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Aes (album) AES Corporation AES Data Ltd, Canada AES/EBU... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... January 18 is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 21 is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 21 is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

Find more information on Colombo by searching Wikipedia's sister projects
Dictionary definitions from Wiktionary
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Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File links Wikibooks-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiquote-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Image File history File links WikiNews-Logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiversity-logo-Snorky. ... The University of Colombo (also known as UoC), Sri Lankas oldest university, is located in the urban centre of Colombo. ... Colombo Stock Exchange [1] is located in the World Trade Center [2] complex. ... ... The city of Colombo known as commercial capital of Sri Lanka is one of the popular fashion centers in South East Aisa. ...

External links

  • Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 6.8806° 79.8639°
    • Mapping from Multimap or GlobalGuide or Google Maps
    • Aerial image from TerraServer
    • Satellite image from WikiMapia
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Colombo(Commercial Capital) | Sri Jayewardenapura(National Capital) | Anuradhapura | Trincomalee | Jaffna | Kandy | Polonnaruwa | Galle | Batticaloa | Boralesgamuwa | Nuwara Eliya | Negombo | Kurunegala | Badulla | Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia | Moratuwa | Matara | Maharagama | Ratnapura

  Results from FactBites:
 
Colombo travel guide - Wikitravel (1310 words)
Colombo's international airport is at Katunayake, close to Negombo, on the coast north of Colombo.
Colombo Zoo is being renovated, and plan to have an open area for the elephants
Colombo, though facing trouble by the present political instability is still a great place to visit.
Colombo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (3062 words)
Colombo (කොළඹ in Sinhala; கொழும்பு in Tamil) is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka, located on the southwest coast adjacent to the present administrative capital of Kotte.
Colombo port is one of the busiest ports in asia.
The population of Colombo is a mix of Sinhalese, Muslims, Tamils and Christians.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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