View source for Colombo

{{Short description|Largest city of Sri Lanka}}
{{distinguish|Columbo|Colombia}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Sri Lankan English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Colombo
| native_name        = {{nativename|si|කොළඹ}}<br />{{nativename|ta|கொழும்பு}}
| official_name      = 
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]] ([[Executive (government)|executive]] and [[Judiciary|judicial]])
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
  | total_width              = 300
  | border                   = infobox
  | perrow                   = 1/2/3/2
  | caption_align            = center
  | image1                   = Colombo skyline 2024.jpg
  | alt1                     = 
  | caption1                 = Skyline of [[Galle Face Green]] as seen from the [[Indian Ocean]] 
  | image2                   = Seema Malaka - Buddha statues.jpg
  | alt2                     = 
  | caption2                 = [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] statues at [[Seema Malaka]]
  | image3                   = Independence Commemoration Hall.jpg
  | alt3                     = 
  | caption3                 = [[Independence Memorial Hall]]
  | image4                   = LK-colombo-yorkstreet-1.jpg
  | alt4                     = 
  | caption4                 = the [[Grand Oriental Hotel]] in [[Fort (Colombo)|Fort]]
  | image5                   = The landmark Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.JPG
  | alt5                     = 
  | caption5                 = [[Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre|Nelum Pokuna Theatre]]
  | image6                   = LK-Colombo-altes-parlament.jpg
  | alt6                     = 
  | caption6                 = Skyline of Fort featuring [[Old Parliament Building, Colombo|Old Parliament Building]], [[Bank of Ceylon]] and [[World Trade Center (Colombo)|WTC twin towers]]
  }}
| image_seal         = Coat of arms of Colombo Municipal Council.svg
| image_map          = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = Sri Lanka Colombo District#Sri Lanka#Asia
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Sri Lanka]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces of Sri Lanka|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Western Province, Sri Lanka|Western Province]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Districts of Sri Lanka|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Colombo District]]
| leader_title       = Municipal Council
| leader_name        = [[Colombo Municipal Council]]
| leader_title1      = Headquarters
| leader_name1       = [[Town Hall (Colombo)|Town Hall]]
| leader_title2      = [[Mayor of Colombo|Mayor]]
| leader_name2       = [[Vraîe Cally Balthazaar]] <small>([[National People's Power|NPP]])</small> 
| area_total_km2     = 37.31
| area_total_sq_mi   = 14.41
| area_land_km2      = 1000
| area_water_km2     = 
| population_total   = 752,993
| population_as_of   = 2011<ref name=census2011>{{cite web|title=A6 : Population by ethnicity and district according to Divisional Secretary's Division, 2012|url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3|work=Census of Population & Housing, 2011|publisher=Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka|access-date=2014-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101151718/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3|archive-date=1 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_urban   = 2,323,826
| population_metro   = 5,648,000
| population_density_km2 = 20182
| timezone           = [[Sri Lanka Standard Time|SLST]]
| coordinates        = {{coord|6|56|04|N|79|50|34|E|region:LK|display=it}}
| utc_offset         = +05:30
| elevation_m        = 1
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in Sri Lanka|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 0xxxx
| area_code          = [[Telephone numbers in Sri Lanka|011]]
| website            = {{URL|colombo.mc.gov.lk}}
| area_metro_km2     = 3,684
| image_flag         = Flag of Colombo MC.svg
}}

'''Colombo''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|l|ʌ|m|b|oʊ}} {{respell|kə|LUM|boh}};<ref>{{Cite book|title=Collins English Dictionary|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2018|isbn=978-0-008-28437-4|edition=13th|chapter=Colombo}}</ref> {{langx|si|කොළඹ|translit=Koḷam̆ba|engvar=in}}, {{IPA|si|ˈkoləᵐbə|IPA}}; {{langx|ta|கொழும்பு|translit=Koḻumpu|engvar=in}}, {{IPA|ta|koɻumbɯ|IPA}}) is the executive and judicial [[Capital city|capital]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Colombo |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Colombo |website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=6 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306022806/https://www.britannica.com/place/Colombo |url-status=live }}</ref> and largest city of [[Sri Lanka]] by population. The Colombo metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of 5.6&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kumarage A|first1=Amal|title=Impacts of Transportation Infrastructure and Services on Urban Poverty and Land Development in Colombo, Sri Lanka|url=http://www.globalurban.org/GUDMag07Vol3Iss1/Kumerage%20PDF.pdf|date=1 November 2007|publisher=Global Urban Development Volume 3 Issue 1|access-date=8 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051304/http://www.globalurban.org/GUDMag07Vol3Iss1/Kumerage%20PDF.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The 10 Traits of Globally Fluent Metro Areas|url=http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Multimedia/Interactives/2013/tentraits/Colombo.pdf|website=2013|publisher=[[Brookings Institution]]|access-date=17 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111046/http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Multimedia/Interactives/2013/tentraits/Colombo.pdf|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Colombo: The Heartbeat of Sri Lanka/ Metro Colombo Urban Development Project|url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2013/03/21/colombo-heartbeat-sri-lanka|date=21 March 2013|publisher=The World Bank|access-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412070149/http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2013/03/21/colombo-heartbeat-sri-lanka|archive-date=12 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Turning Sri Lanka's Urban Vision into Policy and Action|url=http://www.unhabitat.lk/downloads/wburbanpolicy.pdf|publisher=UN Habitat|page= 7|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044031/http://www.unhabitat.lk/downloads/wburbanpolicy.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> and 752,993<ref name=census2011/> within the municipal limits. It is the financial centre of the island and a tourist destination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.propertypost.lk/blog/colombo-the-famous-business-hub-of-sri-lanka/|title=Colombo, The Famous Business Hub of Sri Lanka – Stories & Advice|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220232155/https://www.propertypost.lk/blog/colombo-the-famous-business-hub-of-sri-lanka/|archive-date=20 December 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to the [[Western Region Megapolis|Greater Colombo area]] which includes [[Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]], the legislative capital of Sri Lanka, and [[Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia]]. Colombo is often referred to as the capital since Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is situated within the Colombo metro area. It is also the administrative capital of the [[Western Province, Sri Lanka|Western Province]] and the district capital of [[Colombo District]]. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life, colonial buildings and monuments.<ref name="rweb1">{{cite web |last=Jayewarden |title=How Colombo Derived its Name |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/colombo.html |access-date=2007-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205052615/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/colombo.html |archive-date=2008-12-05 |url-status=live}}</ref>

It was made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the [[British Empire]] in 1815,<ref name="HoC">{{cite web |title=History of Colombo |url=http://www.cmc.lk/History.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202185302/http://www.cmc.lk/History.asp |archive-date=2011-12-02 |access-date=2007-03-21}}</ref> retaining its capital status when Sri Lanka gained [[Sri Lankan independence movement|independence in 1948]]. In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to [[Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]], Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

==Etymology==
[[File:කොළඹ ලාංඡනය ලන්දේසි.JPG|thumbnail|left|Coat of arms of Colombo from the [[Dutch Ceylon]] era, depicting a [[mango tree]]]]

The name 'Colombo', first introduced by the [[Portuguese explorers]] in 1505, is believed to be derived from the classical [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]] name {{lang|si|කොලොන් තොට}}, {{lang|ta|கொல்லம் துறைமுகம்}} ''Kolon thota'', meaning "port on the river [[Kelani River|Kelani]]".<ref name="so1">{{cite news |url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2004/02/15/fea15.html |title=Colombo – then and now |work=Padma Edirisinghe |publisher=The Sunday Observer |date=14 February 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930171524/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2004/02/15/fea15.html |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref>

Another belief is that the name is derived from the Sinhala name {{lang|si|කොල-අඹ-තොට}}, {{lang|ta|பெருங்குடல் துறைமுகம்}} ''Kola-amba-thota'' which means 'Harbour with leafy/green mango trees'.<ref name="we1">''World Executive'' [http://www.worldexecutive.com/locations/asia_pacific/sri_lanka/colombo/ Colombo Hotels and City Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302145548/http://www.worldexecutive.com/locations/asia_pacific/sri_lanka/colombo/ |date=2016-03-02 }}</ref> This coincides with [[Robert Knox (sailor)|Robert Knox]]'s history of the island while he was a prisoner in Kandy. He writes that "On the West, the City of Columbo, so-called from a Tree the Natives call Ambo, (which bears the Mango-fruit) growing in that place; but this never bear fruit, but only leaves, which in their Language is kola and thence they called the Tree Colambo: which the Christians in honour of [[Christopher Columbus]] turned to Columbo."

The author of the oldest Sinhala grammar, ''Sidatsangarava,'' written in the 13th century wrote about a category of words that exclusively belonged to early Sinhala. It lists ''naramba'' (to see) and ''kolamba'' (fort or harbour) as deriving from the indigenous [[Vedda language]]. ''Kolamba'' may also be the source of the name of the commercial capital Colombo.<ref>{{cite book |last=Indrapala |first=Karthigesu |title=The evolution of an ethnic identity: The Tamils in Sri Lanka C. 300 BCE to C. 1200 CE |publisher=Vijitha Yapa |year=2007 |location=Colombo |isbn=978-955-1266-72-1 |page=70}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Gair |first=James |title=Studies in South Asian Linguistics |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1998 |location=[[New York City|New York]] |isbn=978-0-19-509521-0 |page=5}}</ref>

== History ==
Traveller [[Ibn Battuta]] who visited the island in the 14th century, referred to it as ''Kalanpu''.<ref>{{cite book| last = John
| first = Still| author-link = John Still
| title = Index to the Mahawansa:Together with Chronological Table of Wars and Genealogical Trees
| publisher = [[Asian Educational Services|AES]]| year = 1996
| page = 85
| isbn = 978-81-206-1203-7}}</ref> Arabs, whose primary interests were trade, began to settle in Colombo around the eighth century AD mostly because the port helped their business by the way of controlling much of the trade between the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] kingdoms and the outside world. It was popularly believed that their descendants comprised the local [[Sri Lankan Moors|Sri Lankan Moor]] community, but their genetics are predominantly South Indian.<ref name="HoC"/><ref>{{cite web
 |last         = Prof. Manawadu
 |first        = Samitha
 |title        = Cultural Routes of Sri Lanka As Extensions of International Itineraries : Identification of Their Impacts on Tangible & Intangible Heritage
 |page         = 3
 |url          = http://www.icomos.org/xian2005/papers/4-30.pdf
 |access-date   = 2007-01-17
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160321051032/http://www.icomos.org/xian2005/papers/4-30.pdf
 |archive-date = 21 March 2016
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref>

===Portuguese era===
[[Portugal|Portuguese]] explorers led by Dom [[Lourenço de Almeida]] first arrived in Sri Lanka in 1505. During their initial visit they made a treaty with the King of [[Kingdom of Kotte|Kotte]], [[Parakramabahu VIII]] (1484–1518), which enabled them to trade in the island's crop of [[cinnamon]], which lay along with the coastal areas of the island, including in Colombo.<ref name="cs1"/> As part of the treaty, the Portuguese were given full authority over the coastline in exchange for the promise of guarding the coast against invaders. They were allowed to establish a [[trading post]] in Colombo.<ref name="cs1"/> Within a short time, however, they expelled the [[Sri Lankan Moors|Muslim]] inhabitants of Colombo and began to build a [[fort]] in 1517.

The Portuguese soon realised that control of Sri Lanka was necessary for the protection of their coastal establishments in India, and they began to manipulate the rulers of the Kotte kingdom to gain control of the area. After skilfully 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 Sitawaka, a domain in the Kotte kingdom.<ref name="cs1"/> 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. Following the fall of the kingdom in 1593, the Portuguese were able to establish complete control over the coastal area, with Colombo as their capital.<ref name="cs1">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/8.htm |title=European Encroachment and Dominance:The Portuguese |access-date=2006-12-02 |work=Sri Lanka: A Country Study |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005225344/http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/8.htm |archive-date=2006-10-05 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cs2">
{{cite book
| last =Ross
| first = Russell R.
|author2=Savada, Andrea Matles
| title = Sri Lanka: A Country Study
| publisher = Defence Dept., Army
| date = 1990
| pages = 360
| isbn = 978-0-16-024055-3}}</ref>
This part of Colombo is still known as [[Fort (Colombo)|Fort]] and houses the presidential palace and the majority of Colombo's [[hotel rating|five star]] hotels. The area immediately outside Fort is known as [[Pettah, Sri Lanka|Pettah]] ({{langx|si|පිට කොටුව}},{{langx|ta|புறக் கோட்டை}} ''piṭa koṭuva'', "outer fort") and is a commercial hub.

===Dutch era===
[[File: Colombo, after Kip.jpg|thumb|left|Dutch engraving of Colombo in about 1680]]

In 1638 the [[Netherlands|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.<ref name="cs4"/> The Dutch captured Colombo in 1656 after an epic siege, at the end of which a mere 93 Portuguese survivors were given [[Safe-conduct|safe conduct]] out of the fort. Although the Dutch (e.g., [[Rijcklof van Goens]]) 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.<ref name="cs4">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/9.htm |title=European Encroachment and Dominance: The Dutch |access-date=2006-12-02 |work=Sri Lanka: A Country study |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005225414/http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/9.htm |archive-date=2006-10-05 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cs3">
{{cite book
| last =Ross
| first = Russell R.
|author2=Savada, Andrea Matles
| title = Sri Lanka: A Country Study
| publisher = Defense Dept., Army
| date = 1990
| pages = 360
| isbn = 978-0-16-024055-3 }}</ref>

===British era===

[[File:Map of Colombo (Baedeker, 1914).jpg|thumb|left|Map of Colombo, c. 1914]]

Although the British captured Colombo in 1796, it remained a [[British Armed Forces|British military]] outpost until the Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to them in 1815 and they made Colombo the capital of their newly created [[British overseas territories|crown colony]] of [[British 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.<ref name="HoC"/>

Initially, they placed the administration of the city under a "[[District collector|Collector]]", and John Macdowell of the [[Madras Presidency|Madras]] Service was the first to hold the office. Then, in 1833, the [[Government Agent (Sri Lanka)|Government Agent]] of the Western Province was charged with the administration of the city. Centuries of [[Colonialism|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 16 January 1866. At the time, the population of the region was around 80,000.<ref name="HoC"/>

During the time they were in control of 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.<ref name="cs3"/><ref name="cs5">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/11.htm |title=European Encroachment and Dominance: The British Replace the Dutch |access-date=2006-12-02 |work=Sri Lanka: A Country study |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005225028/http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/11.htm |archive-date=2006-10-05 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== After independence ===
[[File:SL Independence.jpg|thumb|The formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule at [[Independence Square, Colombo|Independence Square]].]]
This era of colonialism ended peacefully in 1948 when Ceylon gained independence from Britain.<ref name="PostI">
{{cite book  | last =Adrian  | first = Wijemanne  | title = War and Peace in Post-Colonial Ceylon 1948–1991  | publisher = Orient Longman  | date = 1996 | pages = 111  | isbn = 978-81-250-0364-9 }}</ref> Due to the tremendous impact this caused on the city's inhabitants and on the country as a whole, 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.<ref name="PostI"/> 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 visible in Colombo's architecture, names, clothing, food, language and attitudes. Buildings from all three eras stand 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.<ref name="PostI"/>

Historically, Colombo referred to the area around the ''[[Fort (Colombo)|Fort]]'' and ''[[Pettah Market]]'' which is known 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]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Administrative Districts of the Colombo Municipal Council |url=http://www.cmc.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=85 |publisher=Colombo Municipal Council |access-date=11 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106233608/http://www.cmc.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=85 |archive-date=6 January 2013 }}{{Circular reference|date=February 2016}}</ref> More often, the name is used for the [[Conurbation]] known as [[Greater Colombo]], which encompasses several [[Municipal council]]s including [[Kotte]], Dehiwela and Colombo.

Although Colombo lost its status as the capital of Sri Lanka in the 1980s to Sri Jayawardanapura, it continues to be the island's commercial centre. Despite the official capital of Sri Lanka moving to the adjacent Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte, most countries still maintain their [[diplomatic mission]]s in Colombo.<ref name="emb1">''GoAbroad.com'', [http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/sri-lanka Embassies located in Sri Lanka] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302031441/http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/sri-lanka |date=2016-03-02 }}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Beira lake at Nite.jpg|thumb|The [[Beira Lake]] at night]]

The geography of Colombo consists of both land and water. The city has many canals and, in the heart of the city, the {{convert|65|ha|acre|adj=on}} [[Beira Lake]].<ref name="limc">[http://www.lankalibrary.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1799 The lake in the middle of Colombo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019211142/http://lankalibrary.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1799 |date=2007-10-19 }}, ''Lanka Library''</ref> The lake is one of the most distinctive landmarks of Colombo and was used for centuries by colonists to defend the city.<ref name="limc"/> It remains a tourist attraction, hosting [[regattas]],<ref>''[http://archives.dailynews.lk/2003/10/25/spo03.html 35th boat race and 31st Regatta: Oarsmen of Royal and S. Thomas' clash on Beira waters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219193243/http://archives.dailynews.lk/2003/10/25/spo03.html |date=2014-02-19 }}, ''Daily News'', October 10, 2003</ref> and [[theater|theatrical events]] on its shores. The northern and north-eastern border of the city of Colombo 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 [[river delta]].

=== Climate ===
Colombo features a [[tropical rainforest climate]] (''Af''). Colombo's climate is hot throughout the year. From March to April the average high temperature is around {{convert|31|C|1}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/CEXX0001?from=_bottomnav_business |title=Colombo weather |access-date=2006-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005234250/http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/CEXX0001?from=_bottomnav_business |archive-date=2009-10-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the [[monsoon]] seasons from April to June and September to November, when heavy rains occur. Colombo sees little relative diurnal range of temperature, although this is more marked in the drier winter months, where minimum temperatures average {{convert|22|C|1}}. Rainfall in the city averages around {{convert|2500|mm|in}} a year.<ref name= WMO>{{cite web
| url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=227
| title = World Weather Information Service – Colombo
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = November 19, 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170218124526/http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=227
| archive-date = February 18, 2017
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

<!----infobox starts here---->
{{Weather box
|location = Colombo, Sri Lanka (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1961–2020)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 35.2
|Feb record high C = 36.4
|Mar record high C = 36.1
|Apr record high C = 35.2
|May record high C = 34.5
|Jun record high C = 35.2
|Jul record high C = 32.6
|Aug record high C = 32.7
|Sep record high C = 32.5
|Oct record high C = 33.6
|Nov record high C = 34.2
|Dec record high C = 35.0
|year record high C = 
 | Jan high C = 31.4
 | Feb high C = 31.6
 | Mar high C = 32.0
 | Apr high C = 32.0
 | May high C = 31.5
 | Jun high C = 30.7
 | Jul high C = 30.3
 | Aug high C = 30.3
 | Sep high C = 30.4
 | Oct high C = 30.4
 | Nov high C = 30.6
 | Dec high C = 30.9
 | year high C =    31.0

 | Jan mean C = 27.2
 | Feb mean C = 27.6
 | Mar mean C = 28.4
 | Apr mean C = 28.7
 | May mean C = 28.9
 | Jun mean C = 28.4
 | Jul mean C = 28.1
 | Aug mean C = 28.1
 | Sep mean C = 27.9
 | Oct mean C = 27.5
 | Nov mean C = 27.3
 | Dec mean C = 27.2
 | year mean C =    27.9

 | Jan low C = 23.1
 | Feb low C = 23.6
 | Mar low C = 24.8
 | Apr low C = 25.3
 | May low C = 26.2
 | Jun low C = 26.1
 | Jul low C = 25.9
 | Aug low C = 25.9
 | Sep low C = 25.4
 | Oct low C = 24.7
 | Nov low C = 23.9
 | Dec low C = 23.5
 | year low C =    24.9
|Jan record low C = 16.4
|Feb record low C = 18.8
|Mar record low C = 17.7
|Apr record low C = 21.2
|May record low C = 20.5
|Jun record low C = 21.4
|Jul record low C = 21.4
|Aug record low C = 21.6
|Sep record low C = 21.2
|Oct record low C = 21.0
|Nov record low C = 18.6
|Dec record low C = 18.1
|year record low C = 16.4
 | precipitation colour = green
 | Jan precipitation mm = 79.6
 | Feb precipitation mm = 77.4
 | Mar precipitation mm = 102.7
 | Apr precipitation mm = 248.9
 | May precipitation mm = 313.6
 | Jun precipitation mm = 196.7
 | Jul precipitation mm = 122.6
 | Aug precipitation mm = 115.5
 | Sep precipitation mm = 264.2
 | Oct precipitation mm = 359.3
 | Nov precipitation mm = 345.8
 | Dec precipitation mm = 170.7
 | year precipitation mm =  2397.0
 | unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
 | Jan precipitation days = 4.9
 | Feb precipitation days = 5.1
 | Mar precipitation days = 7.7
 | Apr precipitation days = 12.6
 | May precipitation days = 16.6
 | Jun precipitation days = 15.2
 | Jul precipitation days = 10.0
 | Aug precipitation days = 10.2
 | Sep precipitation days = 15.2
 | Oct precipitation days = 18.6
 | Nov precipitation days = 16.0
 | Dec precipitation days = 9.0
 | year precipitation days =   141.2
|time day = Daytime
|Jan humidity = 69
|Feb humidity = 69
|Mar humidity = 71
|Apr humidity = 75
|May humidity = 78
|Jun humidity = 79
|Jul humidity = 78
|Aug humidity = 77
|Sep humidity = 78
|Oct humidity = 78
|Nov humidity = 76
|Dec humidity = 73
|year humidity = 75
|Jan sun = 248.0
|Feb sun = 246.4
|Mar sun = 275.9
|Apr sun = 234.0
|May sun = 201.5
|Jun sun = 195.0
|Jul sun = 201.5
|Aug sun = 201.5
|Sep sun = 189.0
|Oct sun = 201.5
|Nov sun = 210.0
|Dec sun = 217.0
|year sun = 2621.3
|source 1 = NOAA (humidity, sun 1961–1990)<ref name="WMONormals">{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/SriLanka/CSV/Colombo_43466.csv
|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Colombo
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = January 3, 2024
|archive-date = 8 December 2024
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241208104947/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/SriLanka/CSV/Colombo_43466.csv
|url-status = dead
}}</ref><ref name= NOAA>{{Cite FTP | url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_II/S3/43466.TXT
| server = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| title = Colombo Climate Normals 1961–1990
| access-date = November 19, 2016}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (extremes)<ref name = DWD>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_434660_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Colombo (Kolamba) / Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = November 19, 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190416113756/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_434660_kt.pdf
| archive-date = 16 April 2019
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
|date=May 2012
}}

== Attractions ==
[[File:InsideSeema.jpg|thumb|The ''Seema Malakaya'' of the Gangarama Temple in the [[Beira Lake|''Beira'' Lake]] in the ''[[Company Roads]]'' area is one of many religious structures in Colombo]]
[[File:Colombo city skyline at night.png|left|thumb|A picture of Colombo's skyline from Port City, showing the [[Lotus Tower]] in the background, The tallest building structure of the country and also the 19th tallest tower in the world.]]
[[Galle Face Green]] is located in the heart of the city along the Indian Ocean coast and is a destination for tourists and residents alike. The [[Galle Face Hotel]] is a historic landmark on the southern edge of this promenade.

[[Gangaramaya Temple]] is one of the most important temples in Colombo. The temple's architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese architecture.<ref name="John Keells">{{cite web|title=Gangaramaya Temple |url=http://www.johnkeellshotels.com/Colombo_GangaramayaTemple.htm |publisher=John Keells Hotels Group |access-date=30 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510172524/http://www.johnkeellshotels.com/Colombo_GangaramayaTemple.htm |archive-date=10 May 2012 }}</ref>

The [[Viharamahadevi Park]] (formerly Victoria Park) is an urban park located next to the [[National Museum of Colombo]] and the [[Town Hall, Colombo|Town Hall]]. It is the oldest and largest park in Colombo and features a large Buddha statue.

As part of the Urban Regeneration Program of the [[Government of Sri Lanka]], many old sites and buildings were revamped into modern public recreational spaces and shopping precincts. These include [[Independence Memorial Hall|Independence Memorial Hall Square]], [[Pettah Floating Market]] and [[Old Colombo Dutch Hospital|Old Dutch Hospital]], among others.

== Demographics ==
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Ethnicity in Colombo Municipality area (2012)<ref>{{cite web |title=Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka – Population by ethnicity and district according to Divisional Secretary's Division, 2012 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |access-date=2014-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101151718/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |archive-date=1 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 
|label1 = [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]]
|value1 = 36.9
|color1 = Coral
|label2 = [[Sri Lankan Tamils]]
|value2 = 29.6
|color2 = Deeppink
|label3 = [[Sri Lankan Moors]]
|value3 = 29.0
|color3 = Green
|label4 = [[Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka|Indian Tamils]]
|value4 = 2.2
|color4 = Pink
|label5 = Others
|value5 = 5
|color5 = Gray
}}Colombo is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural city. The population of Colombo is a mix of numerous ethnic groups, mainly  [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]], [[Sri Lankan Moor]] and [[Sri Lankan Tamils]], . There are also small communities of people with [[Chinese people in Sri Lanka|Chinese]], [[Portuguese Burghers|Portuguese Burgher]], [[Dutch Burghers|Dutch Burgher]], [[Sri Lankan Malays|Malay]] and [[Indians in Sri Lanka|Indian]] origins living in the city, as well as numerous European expatriates. Colombo is the most populous city in Sri Lanka, with 642,163 people living within the city limits.<ref name="cen01">{{cite web|title=Department of Census and Statistics |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/census2001/population/ds_div/colombo_c.htm |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610133839/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/census2001/population/ds_div/colombo_c.htm |archive-date=June 10, 2007}}, Additional source {{cite web|title=The case of Colombo, Sri Lanka |url=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dpu-projects/Global_Report/pdfs/Columbo.pdf |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226203215/http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dpu-projects/Global_Report/pdfs/Columbo.pdf |archive-date=December 26, 2016 |quote=The totals are calculated through enumerations made from Colombo Divisional Secretariat and the Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat, which is also part of Colombo Municipal Council.}}</ref> In 1866 the city had a population of around 80,000.<ref>[http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/LKA_Port_of_Colombo_44.php Port of Colombo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718115215/http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/LKA_Port_of_Colombo_44.php |date=2011-07-18}}. World Port Source.</ref>{{Pie chart|thumb=right|label4=[[Christianity]]|color5=Grey|value5=0.1|label5=Other|color4=Blue|value4=14.5|color3=DarkOrange|caption=Religion in Colombo Municipality area (2012)<ref>{{cite web |title=Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka – Population by divisional secretariat division, religion and sex 2012 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |access-date=2014-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101151718/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |archive-date=1 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>|value3=22.6|label3=[[Hinduism]]|color2=Green|value2=31.2|label2=[[Islam]]|color1=Gold|value1=31.4|label1=[[Buddhism]]}}

== Government and politics ==
[[File:Colombo Municipal Council.JPG|thumb|Colombo Municipal Council]]

===Local government===

Colombo is a [[charter city]], with a [[mayor-council government]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Colombo Municipal Council |url=http://colombo.mc.gov.lk/colombo.php |access-date=2018-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413185636/http://colombo.mc.gov.lk/colombo.php |archive-date=2018-04-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The mayor and 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]] (UNP), a [[Right-wing politics|right]] leaning party, whose business-friendly policies resonate with the population of Colombo. However, the UNP nomination list for the 2006 Municipal elections was rejected,<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2006/02/060216_colombo.shtml Colombo UNP list rejected] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016093710/http://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2006/02/060216_colombo.shtml |date=2015-10-16 }}, ''BBC News'', February 16, 2006</ref> and an Independent Group supported by the UNP won the elections.<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2006/05/060521_cmc_election.shtml Independent group wins CMC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016093710/http://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2006/05/060521_cmc_election.shtml |date=2015-10-16 }}, ''BBC News'', May 21, 2006</ref> [[Uvais Mohamed Imitiyas]] was subsequently appointed Mayor of Colombo.<ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060528/index.html Rotational mayors as Colombo gets trishaw driver as her first citizen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716163027/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060528/index.html |date=2007-07-16 }}, ''Sunday Times'', May 28, 2006</ref>

The city government provides sewer, road and waste management services to the residents. In the case of water, electricity and telephone utility services, the council liaises with the [[National Water Supply and Drainage Board|National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB)]], the [[Ceylon Electricity Board|Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)]] and [[Telecommunications in Sri Lanka|telephone service providers]] operating in the country respectively.

===National capital status===
Colombo was the capital of the coastal areas controlled by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British from the 1700s to 1815 when the British gained control of the entire island following the [[Kandyan convention]]. From then until the 1980s the national capital of the island was Colombo.

During the 1980s plans were made to move the administrative capital to [[Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]] and thus move all governmental institutions out of Colombo to make way for commercial activities. As a primary step, the [[Parliament of Sri Lanka|Parliament]] was moved to a new complex in Kotte, with several ministries and departments also relocated. However, the move was never completed.

Today, many governmental institutions still remain in Colombo. These include the [[President's House, Colombo|President's House]], [[Presidential Secretariat (Sri Lanka)|Presidential Secretariat]], [[Prime Minister's House (Colombo)|Prime Minister's House]] (Temple Trees), [[Prime Minister's Office (Colombo)|Prime Minister's Office]], the [[Supreme Court of Sri Lanka]], [[Central Bank of Sri Lanka]], important government ministries and departments; such as [[Ministry of Finance and Planning (Sri Lanka)|Finance]] (Treasury), [[Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)|Defence]], Public Administration & Home affairs, [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sri Lanka)|Foreign affairs]], Justice and the [[Army Headquarters (Sri Lanka)|Military headquarters]], Naval headquarters ([[SLNS Parakrama]]), Air Force headquarters ([[SLAF Colombo]]) and [[Sri Lanka Police|Police]] national and field force headquarters.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka |url=http://www.justiceministry.gov.lk/courts%20of%20Law/THE%20SUPREME%20COURT%20OF%20SRI%20LANKA.htm |publisher=Justice Ministry |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118060405/http://www.justiceministry.gov.lk/courts%20of%20Law/THE%20SUPREME%20COURT%20OF%20SRI%20LANKA.htm |archive-date=November 18, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ministries of Sri Lanka Government |publisher=Government of Sri Lanka |url=http://www.gov.lk/public/groups.asp?xi=91&groupname=Ministries+of+Sri+Lanka+Government |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309224646/http://www.gov.lk/public/groups.asp?xi=91&groupname=Ministries+of+Sri+Lanka+Government |archive-date=March 9, 2007 }}</ref>

==Suburbs and postal codes==
{{Wide image|Colombo sunset aerial Pano (29446036634).jpg|700|Aerial sunset view}}

=== City limits ===
[[File:Bambalapitiya.jpg|thumb|Bambalapitiya area]]
Colombo is divided into 15 numbered areas for the purposes of postal services. Within these areas are the suburbs with their corresponding post office.
[[File:ColomboMapCoolGin.png|thumb|Map of Colombo showing its administrative districts.]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="width:100px;"| Postal number ||  City suburb
|-
| Colombo 1 || [[Fort (Colombo)|Fort]]
|-
| Colombo 2 || [[Slave Island]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prime Minister's Office, Sri Lanka |url=https://www.pmoffice.gov.lk/news.php?para=RU5vekFVR2dpQTd2VGRiMkZUNE4wSitZT3JrUnhtNEJGZHpYV1BNeDV0ZXNJaCtNSlkwS0ZONThDMytseFVZUw== |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=www.pmoffice.gov.lk |archive-date=11 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230911050554/https://www.pmoffice.gov.lk/news.php?para=RU5vekFVR2dpQTd2VGRiMkZUNE4wSitZT3JrUnhtNEJGZHpYV1BNeDV0ZXNJaCtNSlkwS0ZONThDMytseFVZUw== |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Union Place]]
|-
| Colombo 3 || [[Kollupitiya]]
|-
| Colombo 4 || [[Bambalapitiya]]
|-
| Colombo 5 || [[Havelock Town]], [[Kirulapana|Kirulapone]], [[Kirilapone North|Kirulapone North]], [[Narahenpita]]
|-Narahenpita
| Colombo 6 || [[Wellawatte]], [[Kirulapone South]] 
|-
| Colombo 7 || [[Cinnamon Gardens]]
|-
| Colombo 8 || [[Borella]]
|-
| Colombo 9 || [[Dematagoda]]
|-
| Colombo 10 || [[Maradana]], [[Panchikawatte]]
|-
| Colombo 11 || [[Pettah, Sri Lanka|Pettah]]
|-
| Colombo 12 || [[Hulftsdorp]]
|-
| Colombo 13 || [[Kotahena]], [[Bloemendhal]]
|-
| Colombo 14 || [[Grandpass]]
|-
| Colombo 15 || [[Modara|Modara/Mutwal]], [[Mattakkuliya]], [[Madampitiya]]
|}

== Economy ==
[[File:Lotus Tower Floating Market-Colombo Srilanka-Andres Larin.jpg|left|thumb|Colombo City is the hub of Sri Lanka's economic activity]]
The great majority of Sri Lankan corporations have their head offices in Colombo including [[Aitken Spence]], [[Ceylinco Consolidated|Ceylinco Corporation]], Stassen group of companies, [[John Keells Holdings]], [[Cargills (Ceylon)|Cargills]], Hemas Holdings, SenzMate and Akbar Brothers. Some of the industries include chemicals, textiles, glass, cement, leather goods, furniture and jewellery. In the city centre is the [[World Trade Center Colombo|World Trade Centre]]. The 40-story [[Twin Tower]] complex is the centre of important commercial establishments, in the Fort district, the city's nerve centre. Right outside the Fort area is Pettah which is derived from the Sinhala word ''pita'' which means 'out' or 'outside'.<ref name=onlineColombo>{{cite web|title=Colombo Economy|url=https://dhksy.blogspot.com/2009/01/colombo-economy.html|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024124900/http://dhksy.blogspot.com/2009/01/colombo-economy.html|archive-date=24 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:LK-Colombo-altes-parlament.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Old Parliament Building, Colombo|Old Parliament Building]], [[Bank of Ceylon]] building and [[World Trade Center Colombo|WTC twin towers]] in the Colombo financial district of [[Fort (Colombo)|Fort]]]]
The Colombo Metropolitan area has a GDP (PPP) of $122&nbsp;billion or 40% of the GDP, making it the most important aspect of the Sri Lankan economy. {{Citation needed|date=September 2018|reason=GDP figure is unsourced. The source provided at end of the sentence (Sri Lankan Central Banks' communiqué) is outdated and does not mention the figure presented on Wikipedia, it is therefore inadequate. The latest figure I could find was 4697 Bn LKR ( approx 27Bn USD) for 2016, far from the 48Bn figure referenced by Wikipedia. https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/press_20171130_Provincial_GDP_2016_e.pdf}}The per capita income of the Colombo Metro area stood at US$8623 and purchasing power per capita of $25,117, making it one of the most prosperous regions in South Asia.<ref name="cbsl.gov.lk">{{cite web|work=[[Central Bank of Sri Lanka|CBSL]]|date=10 July 2011|url=http://www.cbsl.gov.lk/pics_n_docs/latest_news/press_20110712e.pdf|title=Press release 20010712|access-date=2 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722150529/http://www.cbsl.gov.lk/pics_n_docs/latest_news/press_20110712e.pdf|archive-date=22 July 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Colombo Metropolitan (CM) area is the most important industrial, commercial and administrative centre in Sri Lanka. A major share of the country's export-oriented manufacturing takes place in the CM area, which is the engine of growth for Sri Lanka.

[[File:Colombo - Galle Face.jpg|thumb|left|[[Galle Face Green]], where many major events take place, is a favourite location for many. It is in close proximity to many of the major hotels. Formerly, it was the site of the city's racecourse, golf course and the cricket field]] The Western province contributes less than 40% to the GDP and about 80% of industrial value additions although it accounts for only 5.7% of the country's geographic area and 25% of the national population. Given its importance as the primary international gateway for Sri Lanka and as the main economic driver of the country, the government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has launched an ambitious program to transform Colombo and its area into a metropolis of international standards. Bottlenecks are preventing the Colombo metropolitan area from realizing its full economic potential. To facilitate the transformation of Colombo, the government has to address these bottlenecks which have for long been obstructing economic and physical urban regeneration.<ref name=ES>{{cite web|title=Executive Summary The Colombo Metropolitan (CM) area |url=http://www.defence.lk/news/pdf/EA_ES_english.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Defence & Urban Development |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810034557/http://www.defence.lk/news/pdf/EA_ES_english.pdf |archive-date=10 August 2012 }}</ref>

Pettah is more crowded than the Fort area. Pettah's roads are always packed and [[Sidewalk|pavements]] are full of small stalls selling items from delicious [[Sharbat (beverage)|sharbat]] to [[shirt]]s. Main Street consists mostly of clothes shops and the crossroads, which are known as Cross-Streets where each of the five streets specialises in a specific business. For example, First Cross Street is mostly [[electronics|electronic]] goods shops, the Second [[cellular phones]] and fancy goods. Most of these businesses are dominated by Muslim traders. At the end of Main Street further away from Fort is Sea Street – Sri Lanka's gold market – dominated by Tamil interests. This mile-long street is full of jewellery shops,<ref name=onlineColombo /> including the former head office of [[SriLankan Airlines]].<ref>"World Airline Directory." Also ranked of the best land in the world of WWNEconomy ''[[Flight International]]''. 14–20 March 1990 [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%200709.html?search= "Airlift International" 57] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809070956/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%200709.html?search= |date=2011-08-09 }}</ref>

== Law enforcement and crime ==
[[File:Supreme Court Colombo.jpg|thumb|The [[Supreme Court of Sri Lanka]] is located in Colombo]]

The [[Sri Lanka Police]], the main law enforcement agency of the island, liaise with the municipal council but is under the control of the [[Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)|Ministry of Defence]] of the central government.<ref>[http://www.defence.lk/main_abt.asp?fname=orgstr Organizational Structure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827110640/http://www.defence.lk/main_abt.asp?fname=orgstr |date=2007-08-27 }}, ''Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka''</ref> Policing in Colombo and its suburbs falls within the ''Metropolitan Range'' headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Metropolitan), this also includes the Colombo Crime Division.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gunawardena |first=Edward |title=The drama behind the arrest of Sepala Eknayake |url=http://www.island.lk/2008/05/31/satmag1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120003933/http://www.island.lk/2008/05/31/satmag1.html |archive-date=Jan 20, 2011 |website=The Island-Saturday Magazine}}</ref> As with most Sri Lankan cities, the magistrate court handles felony crimes while the district court handles civil cases. <!-- awaiting verification --The Municipal Council deals with parking tickets, traffic infractions and misdemeanours. -->

As in other large cities around the world, Colombo experiences certain levels of [[street crime]] and [[bribery]]. Indeed, the corruption extends to the very top, US reports show. In addition, in the period from the 1980s to 2009, there have been a number of major terrorist attacks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/reports/convter.htm |title=CNS Reports |website= Center for Nonproliferation Studies  |access-date=2001-10-03 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20011003225523/http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/reports/convter.htm |archive-date=2001-10-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Travel Warning, United States Department of State |url=https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3011.html |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060922205811/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3011.html |archive-date=September 22, 2006 }}</ref> The [[LTTE]] has been linked to most of the bombings and assassinations in the city.<ref>[http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/sentinel/sent000904_6_n.shtml Jane's Sentinel examines the success of the LTTE in resisting the Sri Lankan forces]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415225914/http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/sentinel/sent000904_6_n.shtml |date=April 15, 2009 }}{{Circular reference|date=February 2016}}</ref> [[Welikada Prison]] is situated in Colombo and it is one of the largest maximum-security prisons in the country.<ref>[http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2006/2/5627.html President orders SB's release] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022073304/http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2006/2/5627.html |date=October 22, 2007 }}, ''LankaNewspapers.com'', February 16, 2006</ref>

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Colombo Port City seem from galle road..jpg|thumb|Colombo Galle face road in the evening ]]
Colombo has most of the amenities that a modern city has. Compared to other parts of the country, Colombo has the highest degree of infrastructure. Electricity, water and transport to street lights and phone booths are to a considerably good standard. Apart from that, many luxurious hotels, clubs and restaurants are in the city. In recent times there has been an outpour of [[high-rise]] condominiums, mainly due to the very high land prices.<ref name="Lanka-houses">{{cite web|title=Colombo|url=http://lanka-houses.com/city/colombo/|publisher=lanka-houses.com|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104193949/http://lanka-houses.com/city/colombo/|archive-date=4 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Harbour===
[[File:ColomboHarbour-SriLanka02.jpg|thumb|Container handling at Colombo Port.]]
[[Port of Colombo|Colombo Harbour]] is the largest and one of the busiest [[port]]s in Sri Lanka. Colombo was established primarily as a port city during the colonial era, with an artificial harbour that has been expanded over the years. The [[Sri Lanka Navy]] maintains a [[naval base]], ''SLNS Rangalla'', within the harbour.

The Port of Colombo handled 3.75&nbsp;million [[twenty-foot equivalent unit]]s in 2008, 10.6% up on 2007 (which itself was 9.7% up on 2006), bucking the global economic trend. Of those, 817,000 were local shipments with the rest transshipments. With a capacity of 5.7&nbsp;million TEUs and a dredged depth of over 15&nbsp;m (49&nbsp;ft), the Colombo Harbour is one of the busiest ports in the world and ranks among the top 25 ports (23rd). Sri Lanka's Port of Colombo is said to be the busiest, largest port in the Indian Ocean.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cost of Living in Colombo, Sri Lanka – PropertyInLanka.com |url=https://www.propertyinlanka.com/cost-of-living-in-colombo-sri-lanka/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Colombo is part of the [[21st Century Maritime Silk Road]] that runs from the Chinese coast to the Upper Adriatic region with its rail connections to [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Eastern Europe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190324-sri-lanka-new-chinese-silk-road-disappointment-economy-debt-italy-france-investment|title=In Sri Lanka, the new Chinese Silk Road is a disappointment|website=France 24|date=24 March 2019|author-first1=Sébastian|author-last1=Seibt}}</ref><ref>[https://jakartaglobe.id/news/china-silk-road-project-sri-lanka-delayed-beijing-toughens-stance/ China 'Silk Road' Project in Sri Lanka Delayed as Beijing Toughens Stance]</ref><ref>Wolf D. Hartmann, Wolfgang Maennig, Run Wang: Chinas neue Seidenstraße. (2017).</ref><ref>Jean-Marc F. Blanchard "China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative and South Asia" (2018) pp 55.</ref><ref>[https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/sri-lanka-key-component-in-21st-century-maritime-silk-road-china-118072800693_1.html Sri Lanka 'key component' in 21st Century Maritime Silk Road: China]</ref>

===Transport===
==== Bus ====
Colombo has an extensive public transport system based on buses operated both by private operators and the government-owned [[Sri Lanka Transport Board|Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB)]]. The three primary bus terminals – Bastian Mawatha, Central and the Gunasinghapura Bus Terminals – are in Pettah.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hasintha Weragala, Things to do in Sri Lanka |url=https://www.thingstodosrilanka.com/colombo-sri-lanka-travel-guide/#bbs2 |title=Guide map of bus terminals in Colombo |publisher=thingstodoinsrilanla.lk |date=2018-11-27 |access-date=2018-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204195236/https://www.thingstodosrilanka.com/colombo-sri-lanka-travel-guide/#bbs2 |archive-date=4 December 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bastian Mawatha handles long-distance services whereas Gunasinghapura and Central handle local services.

==== Rail ====
[[File:Train track on the beach in Colombo (16779050855).jpg|thumb|Commuter rail within the city]]
{{main|Sri Lanka Railways}}
Train transport [[Sri Lanka Railways#Commuter Rail|in the city]] is limited since most trains are meant for transport to and from the city rather than within it and are often overcrowded. However, the Central Bus Stand and [[Fort Railway Station (Colombo)|Fort Railway Station]] function as the island's primary hub for bus and rail transport respectively. Up until the 1970s, the city had [[tram]] services, which were discontinued. Other means of transport include [[auto rickshaws]] (commonly called "three-wheelers") and [[taxicab]]s. Three-wheelers are entirely operated by individuals and hardly regulated whilst cab services are run by private companies and are metered.

* '''[[Main Line (Sri Lanka)|Main Line]]''' – Colombo Fort to Veyangoda; onwards to [[Kandy]], [[Badulla]], [[Matale]], [[Kurunegala]], [[Anuradhapura]], [[Jaffna]], [[Kankesanturai]]. [[Trincomalee railway station|Trincomalee]], [[Batticaloa railway station|Batticaloa]], [[Talaimannar]] (presently just [[Mannar Line|Madhu Road]]).
* '''[[Coastal Line (Sri Lanka)|Coastal Line]]''' – Colombo to [[Panadura]]; onwards to [[Galle]], [[Matara, Sri Lanka|Matara]] and Beliaththa. 
* '''[[Puttalam Line]]''' – Colombo to [[Ja-Ela]]; onwards to [[Negombo]] and [[Puttalam]].
* '''[[Kelani Valley Line]]''' – Colombo to [[Avissawella]].

==== Roads ====
Post-war development in the Colombo area also involves the construction of numerous expressway grade arterial road routes. The first of these constructed is the [[Southern Expressway (Sri Lanka)|Southern Expressway]], which goes from [[Kottawa]], a southern suburb of Colombo, to [[Matara, Sri Lanka|Matara]] City in the south of the country. Expressways constructed in the Colombo metropolitan area include the [[Colombo–Katunayake Expressway]], which was opened in October 2013 and the Colombo orbital bypass Outer Circular Highway ([[Outer Circular Highway|Arthur C. Clarke Expressway]]). The [[Colombo-Katunayake Expressway]] (E03) runs from [[Peliyagoda]], a northern suburb of Colombo, to [[Colombo International Airport]] and it is linked with one of the major commercial hubs and a major tourist destination of the country, the city of [[Negombo]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/08/16/fea14.asp |title=A Speedy and safe journey to Galle |publisher=Dailynews.lk |date=2011-08-16 |access-date=2013-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030164322/http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/08/16/fea14.asp |archive-date=2013-10-30 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Gamini Gunaratna, Sri Lanka News Paper by LankaPage.com (LLC) |url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_11B/Nov07_1320645974JR.php |title=Nearly half of the work completed on outer circular highway around Sri Lankan capital |publisher=Colombopage.com |date=2011-11-07 |access-date=2013-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903220847/http://www.colombopage.com/archive_11B/Nov07_1320645974JR.php |archive-date=2013-09-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* [[A1 highway (Sri Lanka)|A1 highway]] connects Colombo with [[Kandy]].
* [[A2 highway (Sri Lanka)|A2 highway]] connects Colombo with [[Galle]] and [[Matara, Sri Lanka|Matara]]
* [[A3 highway (Sri Lanka)|A3 highway]] connects Colombo with [[Negombo]] and [[Puttalam]]
* [[A4 highway (Sri Lanka)|A4 highway]] connects Colombo with [[Ratnapura]] and [[Batticaloa]]

==== Ferry ====
An international ferry liner, the [[Scotia Prince]], is conducting a ferry service to [[Tuticorin]], India.  Ferry services between the two countries have been revived after more than 20 years.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tuticorin-Colombo-ferry-sets-sail-/articleshow/8842845.cms?referral=PM Tuticorin-Colombo ferry sets sail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003062309/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tuticorin-Colombo-ferry-sets-sail-/articleshow/8842845.cms?referral=PM |date=2016-10-03 }}. Times of India. (2011-06-14).</ref>

==== Air ====

[[Ratmalana Airport]] is the city's airport, located {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of the city centre. It commenced operating in 1935 and was the country's first international airport until it was replaced by [[Bandaranaike Airport]] in 1967. Ratmalana Airport now primarily services domestic flights, aviation training and international corporate flights.
{{Wide image|Colombo Airport Ratmalana Landside View.jpg|700|Ratmalana Airport}}

===Landmarks===
[[File:The skyline of downtown Colombo from the Port City beach.jpg|thumb|Colombo Skyline – 2025]]
The two [[World Trade Center Colombo|World Trade Centre]] towers used to be the most recognised landmarks of the city. Before they were completed in 1997, the adjacent [[Bank of Ceylon]] tower was the tallest structure and the most prominent city landmark. Before the skyscrapers were built, the Old Parliament Building that stood in the Fort district with the [[Old Colombo Lighthouse]] close to it used to be the tallest building. Another important landmark is the [[Independence Commemoration Hall (Sri Lanka)|Independence Hall]] at Independence Square in Cinnamon Gardens.

Another landmark is St.Paul's Church [[Milagiriya]], one of the oldest [[church (building)|churches]] in Sri Lanka, first built by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the British in 1848. The Cargills & Millers building in Fort is also a protected building of historical significance.

[[Cannon]]s that were once mounted on the rampart of the old fort of Colombo were laid out for observance and prestige at the Green. The colonial styled [[Galle Face Hotel]], known as Asia's Emerald on the Green since 1864, is adjacent to Galle Face Green. The hotel has played host to guests such as the [[British royal family]] and other [[royal family|royal]] guests and celebrities. After a stay at the hotel, [[Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg|Princess Alexandra]] of Denmark commented that "the peacefulness and generosity encountered at the [[Galle Face Hotel]] cannot be matched."<ref name="Galleface">{{cite web |title=Princess Alexandra's Visit |url=http://www.gallefacehotel.com/html_classic/the_hotel.htm |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070413052940/http://www.gallefacehotel.com/html_classic/the_hotel.htm |archive-date=April 13, 2007}}</ref> Also facing Galle Face Green is the [[Ceylon Inter-Continental]] Hotel.

== Education ==
[[File:Royal College Colombo main building.jpg|thumb|right|[[Royal College Colombo]], the oldest public school in the city.]]{{See also|Education in Sri Lanka}}
Education institutions in Colombo have a long history. Colombo has many of the prominent [[Public school (UK)|public schools]] in the country, some of them government-owned and others private. Most of the prominent schools in the city date back to the 1800s when they were established during the British colonial rule,<ref>{{cite web |title=Historical Overview of Education in Sri Lanka, The British Period: (1796–1948) |url=http://www.moe.gov.lk/Education_his_1.3.html |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411221808/http://www.moe.gov.lk/Education_his_1.3.html |archive-date=April 11, 2011}}</ref> such as the [[Royal College Colombo]] established in 1835. Certain urban schools of Sri Lanka have some religious alignment; this is partly due to the influence of the British, who established Christian missionary schools.<ref name="edu">{{cite web
 |last         = Harsha
 |first        = Aturupane
 |author2      = [[Paul Glewwe]]
 |author3      = Wisniewski Suzanne
 |title        = The Impact of School Quality, Socio-Economic Factors and Child Health on Students' Academic Performance: Evidence from Sri Lankan Primary Schools
 |publisher    = World Bank
 |location     = Colombo
 |date         = July 2007
 |url          = http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSOUTHASIA/Resources/ImpactOfSchoolQuality_July2007.pdf
 |access-date   = 2007-07-27
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080910052950/http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSOUTHASIA/Resources/ImpactOfSchoolQuality_July2007.pdf
 |archive-date = 2008-09-10
 |url-status     = live
}}</ref><ref name="edu2">{{cite book
 |last         = Harsha
 |first        = Aturupane
 |author2      = [[Paul Glewwe]]
 |author3      = Wisniewski Suzanne
 |title        = Treasures of the Education System in Sri Lanka: Restoring Performance, Expanding Opportunities and Enhancing Prospects
 |publisher    = World Bank
 |location     = Colombo
 |date         = February 2005
 |url          = http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSOUTHASIA/Resources/TreasuresInTheEducationSystem_February2005.pdf
 |isbn         = 978-955-8908-14-3
 |access-date   = 2007-07-27
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080910052953/http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSOUTHASIA/Resources/TreasuresInTheEducationSystem_February2005.pdf
 |archive-date = 2008-09-10
 |url-status     = live
}}</ref> These include the [[Anglican]], [[Bishop's College (Sri Lanka)|Bishop's College]](1875); the [[Methodist]], [[Wesley College Colombo]] (1874); the [[Buddhist]], [[Ananda College]] (1886); the [[Muslim]], [[Zahira College, Colombo|Zahira College]] (1892); the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], [[St. Benedict's College, Colombo]] (1865),[[St. Joseph's College, Colombo|St. Joseph's College]] (1896). The religious alignments do not affect the curriculum of the school except for the demographics of the student population.<ref name="edu" /> The secular schools [[Mahanama College]] (1954)[[D. S. Senanayake College]] (1967) and [[Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya]] (1973) have been established in the post independence era. Colombo has many International Schools that have come up in recent years.

Higher education in the city has a long history, beginning with the establishment of the [[Colombo Medical School]] (1870), the [[Sri Lanka Law College|Colombo Law College]] (1875), the School of Agriculture (1884) and the Government Technical College (1893). The first step in the creation of a university in Colombo was taken in 1913 with the establishment of the [[University College Colombo]] which prepared students for the [[University of London External System|external examinations]] of the [[University of London]]. This was followed by the establishment of the [[University of Ceylon]] in Colombo.<ref name="cmb.ac.lk">{{cite web |title=History of the University of Colombo |url=http://www.cmb.ac.lk/about/history.htm |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014080558/http://www.cmb.ac.lk/about/history.htm |archive-date=October 14, 2008}}</ref> Today the [[University of Colombo]] and the [[University of the Visual & Performing Arts]] are state universities in the city. The [[Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology]] has a metropolitan campus in the city centre. There are several private higher education institutions in the city.

==Architecture==
[[File:Jami-Ul-Alfar.jpg|thumb|The Red Mosque]]
Colombo has widely varying architecture that spans centuries and depicts many styles. [[colonial architecture|Colonial]] buildings influenced by the [[Architecture of Portugal|Portuguese]], [[Architecture of the Netherlands|Dutch]] and [[Architecture of the United Kingdom|British]] exist alongside structures built in [[Buddhist architecture|Buddhist]], [[Hindu architecture|Hindu]], [[Islamic architecture|Islamic]], [[Architecture of India|Indian]] and [[Contemporary architecture|Contemporary]] architectural styles. No other place is this more evident than in the Fort area. Here, one may find new, towering skyscrapers as well as historic buildings dating far back as the 1700s.<ref name="oldCMB1">{{cite web |url=https://kermeey.blogspot.com/2006/02/colombo-fort.html |title=Colombo Fort |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222170304/http://kermeey.blogspot.com/2006/02/colombo-fort.html |archive-date=2015-12-22 |website=F's Place |date=2006-02-19 |author=Faz |access-date=2011-10-17}}</ref><ref name="oldCMB2">{{cite web |url=http://www.reddottours.com/46/tintagel-accommodation-profile.htm |title=Tintagel, Colombo |publisher=Red Dot Tours |access-date=2013-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212081336/http://www.reddottours.com/46/tintagel-accommodation-profile.htm |archive-date=12 December 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Colombo Fort===
The Portuguese were the first colonists to settle in Colombo. Establishing a small trading post, they had laid the foundations for a small fort which in time became the largest colonial fort on the island. The Dutch expanded the fort, thus creating a well fortified harbour. This came into the possession of the British in the late 1700s, and by the late 19th century, seeing no threat to the [[Colombo Harbour]], began demolishing the ramparts to make way for the development of the city. Although now there is nothing left of the fortifications, the area which was once the fort is still referred to as Fort. The area outside is [[Pettah, Sri Lanka]] or {{lang|si|පිටකොටුව}} ''Pitakotuwa'' in Sinhala which means outer fort.<ref name="oldCMB1"/><ref name="oldCMB2"/>
[[File:Voclogo.jpg|thumb | right | The VOC (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) logo of [[Dutch East India Company]] on the gates of [[Wolvendaal Church]]]]

===Dutch-era buildings===

There are none of the buildings of the Portuguese era and only a few from the Dutch period. These include the oldest building in the fort area, the [[Old Colombo Dutch Hospital|former Dutch Hospital]], the Dutch House which is now the [[Colombo Dutch Museum]] and several churches. The [[President's House, Colombo|President's House]] (formerly the Queen's House) was originally the Dutch governor's house and successive British governors made it their office and residence. However, it has undergone much change since the Dutch period. Adjoining the President's House are the Gordon Gardens, now off-limits to the public.<ref name="oldCMB1"/><ref name="oldCMB2"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramerini |first=Marco |title=Asia. Dutch Colonial Remains 16th-18th centuries |url=http://www.colonialvoyage.com/asia-dutch-colonial-remains-16th-18th-centuries/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221011219/http://www.colonialvoyage.com/asia-dutch-colonial-remains-16th-18th-centuries/ |archive-date=2016-02-21 |access-date=2011-10-17 |website=Colonial Voyage}}</ref>

===British-era buildings===
Much of the old buildings of the fort area and in other parts of the city date back to British times; these include governmental, commercial buildings, and private houses. Some of the notable government building of British colonial architecture includes the old Parliament building, which is now the [[Presidential Secretariat (Sri Lanka)|Presidential Secretariat]]; the [[Republic Building, Colombo|Republic Building]], which houses the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sri Lanka)|Ministry of Foreign affairs]] but once housed the Ceylon Legislative council; the [[General Treasury Building]]; the old [[General Post Office, Colombo|General Post Office]], an Edwardian-style building opposite the President's House; the [[Prime Minister's Office (Colombo)|Prime Minister's Office]]; the [[Central Telegraph Office, Colombo|Central Telegraph Office]]; and the [[Old Royal College Building, Colombo|Mathematics department]] of the [[University of Colombo]] (formally the [[Royal College, Colombo]]).<ref name="cmb.ac.lk"/> Notable commercial buildings of the British era include the [[Galle Face Hotel]], Cargills and Millers' complex, and the [[Grand Oriental Hotel]].<ref name="oldCMB1"/><ref name="oldCMB2"/>
<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px" caption="">
File:SL Colombo asv2020-01 img25 Cargills Building.jpg|The historical Cargills & Millers building continues as the headquarters of Cargills
File:Old Parliament Building, Colombo.JPG|The [[Old Parliament Building, Colombo|Old Parliament Building]] near the Galle Face Green, now the [[Presidential Secretariat (Sri Lanka)|Presidential Secretariat]]
File:SL Colombo asv2020-01 img10 National Museum.jpg|The [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical style]] [[Colombo National Museum]]
</gallery>

== Culture ==
=== Annual cultural events and fairs ===
[[File:Vesak in SriLanka.jpg|thumbnail|Vesak Thorana in Colombo]]
[[File:Christmas1.JPG|thumbnail|Christmas Celebrations in Colombo]]
Colombo's most popular festival is the celebration of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]]'s birth, enlightenment and death all falling on the same day.<ref name = "vesak"/> In Sinhala this is known as ''[[Vesak]]''.<ref name="vesak">{{cite web
| last = Venerable Mahinda
| title = Significance of Vesak
| publisher = BuddhaNet 
| url = http://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm
| access-date = 2007-02-19
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070219115054/http://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm
| archive-date = 2007-02-19
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
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. Many Sri Lankans visit the city to see the lantern competitions and decorations. During this week people distribute, rice, drinks and other food items for free in ''dunsal'' which means charity place. These ''dunsal'' are popular amongst visitors from the suburbs.

Since there is a large number of Muslims in Colombo. Eid Ul Fitr and Eid Ul Adha are two Islamic festivals that are celebrated in Colombo. Many businesses flourish during the eventual countdown for Eid Ul Fitr which is a major Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims after a month-long fasting. Colombo is generally very busy on the eve of the festivals as people do their last-minute shopping.

Christmas is another major festival. 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 frequent sights during the season.

The Sinhalese and Hindu Aluth Awurudda' is a cultural event that takes place on 13 and 14 April. This is the celebration of the Sinhalese and Hindu new year. The festivities include many events and traditions that display a great deal of Sri Lankan culture.
Several old clubs of the city give a glimpse of the British equestrian lifestyle; these include the [[Colombo Club]], [[Orient Club]], the 80 Club, and the [[Colombo Cricket Club]].

=== Performing arts ===
[[File:The landmark Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.JPG|thumb|The [[Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre]] is a major venue for the performing arts]]
Colombo has several [[performing arts]] centres, which are popular for their musical and theatrical performances, including the [[Lionel Wendt Art Centre|Lionel Wendt Theatre]], the Elphinstone, and Tower Hall, all of which were made for western-style productions. The [[Navarangahala]] found in the city is the country's first [[nation]]al [[theatre (structure)|theatre]] designed and built for Asian and local style musical and theatrical productions.

The [[Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre]] is a world-class theatre that opened in December 2011.<ref name="Pokuna">{{cite news|title=Nelum Pokuna|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/caption-story/15485-nelum-pokuna.html|access-date=2011-12-15|newspaper=Daily Mirror|date=2011-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107195703/http://www.dailymirror.lk/caption-story/15485-nelum-pokuna.html|archive-date=2012-01-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> Designed in the form of the Lotus Pond in [[Polonnaruwa]],<ref name="Treasure">{{cite web | last = Prins | first = Stephen | title = A National Treasure | url = http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110821/Plus/plus_01.5.html | access-date = 2010-05-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110821030317/http://sundaytimes.lk/110821/Plus/plus_01.5.html | archive-date = 2011-08-21 | url-status = live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=source claims to repeat info from the theatre's website, but that info does not appear to be on theatre's website|date=February 2016}} the theatre is a major theatre destination.

=== Museums and art collections ===
The [[Colombo National Museum|National Museum of Colombo]], established on 1 January 1877 during the tenure of the British Colonial Governor [[Sir]] [[William Henry Gregory]], is in the Cinnamon Gardens area.<ref>{{cite web
| title = History of Colombo National Museum
| url = http://www.craftrevival.org/detailsMuseums.asp?CountryName=SRI%20LANKA&MuseumCode=002246
| access-date = 2007-02-02
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928065022/http://www.craftrevival.org/detailsMuseums.asp?CountryName=SRI%20LANKA&MuseumCode=002246
| archive-date = 28 September 2007
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> The museum houses the [[crown jewels]] and throne of the last king of the kingdom of Kandy, [[Sri Vikrama Rajasinha]].<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Colombo National Museum |url=http://www.craftrevival.org/SouthAsia/detailsMuseums.asp?CountryName=SRI%20LANKA&MuseumCode=002246 |access-date=November 22, 2016 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

There is also the [[Colombo Dutch Museum]] detailing the Dutch colonial history of the country. Colombo does not boast a very big art gallery. There is a small collection of random Sri Lankan paintings at the Art Gallery in Green Path; next to it is the Natural History Museum.

=== Sports ===
[[File:Colombo Racecourse ground, Sri Lanka.jpg|thumb|right|Colombo Racecourse ground]]
One of the most popular sports in Sri Lanka is [[cricket]]. The country emerged as champions of the 1996 [[Cricket World Cup]] and became runners up in 2007 and 2011. In the [[ICC World Twenty20]] they became runners up in 2009 and 2012 and winners in 2014. The sport is played in parks, playgrounds, beaches and even in the streets. Colombo is the home for two of the country's most popular [[International structure of cricket|international cricket]] stadiums, [[Singhalese Sports Club]]'s [[Cricket Stadium]] and [[R. Premadasa Stadium]] (named after late president [[Premadasa]]). [[Colombo Stars]] represents the city in [[Lanka Premier League]].

Colombo has the distinction of being the only city in the world to have four cricket test venues in the past: [[Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium]], [[Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground]], [[Colombo Cricket Club Ground]] and [[Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium]]. The [[Sugathadasa Stadium]] is an international standard stadium for [[Sport|athletics]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]] and [[football (soccer)|football]], also held the [[South Asian Games]] in 1991 and 2006. Situated in Colombo the [[Royal Colombo Golf Club]] is one of the oldest in Asia. Other sporting clubs in Colombo include [[Colombo Swimming Club]], [[Colombo Rowing Club]] and the [[Yachting Association of Sri Lanka]].

[[Rugby Union|Rugby]] is also a popular sport at the club and school levels. Colombo has its local football team [[Colombo FC]] and the sport is being developed as a part of the FIFA Goal program.

The [[Colombo Port City]] is to include a new Formula One track, constructed in the vicinity of the Colombo Harbour. According to Dr Priyath Wickrama, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, an eight-lane F1 track will "definitely" be a part of the New Port City. This would host the Sri Lankan Grand Prix.

[[Colombo Marathon]] is an internationally recognised [[marathon]] established in 1998.

=== Media ===
{{See also|Television in Sri Lanka}}

Almost all major media businesses in Sri Lanka operate from Colombo. The state media has its offices in Bullers Road and carries out regional transmissions from there. These include the [[Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation]] (SLBC), formerly known as [[Radio Ceylon]], and the [[Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation]]. The SLBC is the oldest radio station in [[South Asia]] and the second oldest in the world. Many private broadcasting companies have their offices and transmission stations in or around Colombo. As with most metro areas, radio bands are highly utilised for radio communications. Some of the prominent radio stations broadcasting in the Colombo area are [[Sirasa FM]], [[FM Derana]], [[Hiru FM]], [[Shakthi FM]], [[Vettri FM]], [[Sooriyan FM]], [[Kiss FM (Sri Lanka)|Kiss FM]], Lite FM, [[Yes FM]], [[Gold FM (Sri Lanka)|Gold FM]], Sith FM, Y FM, E FM and many more.

Television networks operating in the Colombo metro area include the state-owned television broadcasting networks which are broadcast by the Rupavahini Corporation of Sri Lanka, broadcasting television in the official languages Sinhala and Tamil. English language television is also broadcast, more targeted to the demographics of the English speaking Sri Lankans, expatriate communities and tourists. There are as well several private operators. Many of the privately run television station networks were often based upon operational expansions of pre-existing commercial radio networks and broadcast infrastructure.

==Twin towns and sister cities==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|-
!Country
!City
!State / Region
!Since
|-
| [[Nepal]]
| [[Biratnagar]]
| [[Morang District]]
| 1874
|-
| [[Russia]]
| [[Saint Petersburg]]
| N/A<!--federal subject-->
| 1997
|-
| [[China]]
| [[Shanghai]]
| N/A<!--direct-administered municipality-->
| 2003
|-
| [[Mongolia]]
| [[Ulaanbaatar]]
| –
| 2012
|-
| [[Maldives]]
| [[Malé]]
| [[Kaafu Atoll]]
| 2013
|-
| [[Maldives]]
| [[Maroshi]]
| [[Shaviyani Atoll]]
| 2015
|}

==Notable people==
See [[:Category:People from Colombo]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:SL Colombo asv2020-01 img01 Wolvendaal Church.jpg|Colombo's colonial heritage is visible throughout the city, as in the historical [[Wolvendaal Church]], established by the Dutch in 1749
File:Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.JPG|The [[Nelum Pokuna Theatre]] at night
File:Colombo Town Hall 1.JPG|The [[Town Hall of Colombo]] at night, it is the headquarters of the [[Colombo Municipal Council]] and the office of the [[Mayor of Colombo]]
File:St. Lucia's Cathedral, Colombo, Sri Lanka.jpg|[[St. Lucia's Cathedral]], the seat of the [[Archbishop]] of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo]]
File:Beira Lake and Gangaramaya Temple.jpg|[[Beira Lake]] and southern side of the [[Gangaramaya Temple]]
File:SL Colombo asv2020-01 img22 Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque.jpg|The [[Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque]] is one of the oldest Mosques in Colombo
File:AngCatSL.JPG|[[Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour]] is the seat of the Anglican [[Bishop of Colombo]]
File:CHstatue22.JPG|The statue of Sir [[Charles Henry de Soysa]] at De Soysa-Liptons Circus, is the first of a native, in Colombo.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=VNEaTmc9dS4C&pg=PP5&q=Soysa%20statue%20Ceylon Ceylon, the Land of Eternal Charm], Ali Foad Toulba (Asian Educational Services) p.237 {{ISBN|9788120614949}}</ref>
File:Viharamahadevi Park incl. Town Hall.jpg|The [[Viharamahadevi Park]], (formerly Victoria Park) is the oldest and largest park in Colombo
File:LK-colombo-uhrturm.jpg|Built in 1857, the [[Old Colombo Lighthouse]] also known as the Colombo Fort Clock Tower is the oldest clock-tower
File:20160122 Sri Lanka 3645 Colombo sRGB (25144304823).jpg|The [[BMICH]] Conference Hall
File:View of Colombo galle face.JPG|Ceylon bank headquarters and world trade center.
File:Colombo Galle Face Green.jpg|Galle Face Green
File:Arcade Independence Square, Colombo, Sri Lanka.jpg|[[Arcade Independence Square]] shopping mall
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Colombo Town Guard]]
* [[Mayor of Colombo|List of mayors of Colombo]]
* [[List of tallest buildings and structures in Sri Lanka]]
* [[National War Memorial, Colombo]]
* [[Place names in Sri Lanka]]
* [[South Asian capitals]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Sister project links|voy=Colombo}}
The following books contain major components on Colombo:
* ''Changing Face of Colombo (1501–1972): Covering the Portuguese, Dutch and British Periods'', by R.L. Brohier, 1984 (Lake House, Colombo)
* ''The Port of Colombo 1860–1939'', K. Dharmasena, 1980 (Lake House, Colombo)
* ''Decolonizing Ceylon: Colonialism, Nationalism and the Politics of Space in Sri Lanka'', by Nihal Perera, 1999 ([[Oxford University Press]])
*''the Essential guide for Colombo and its region'', [[:fr:Philippe Fabry|Philippe Fabry]], Negombo, Viator Publications, 2011, 175 p., ISBN 978-955-8736-09-8
*''The impact of the Tsunami on households and vulnerable groups in two districts in Sri Lanka : Galle and Colombo,'' Swarna Jayaweera, Centre for Women's Research, Colombo, 2005
*''Patterns of Community Structure in Colombo, Sri Lanka, An investigation of Contemporary Urban Life in South Asia'', Neville S. Arachchige-Don, University Press, Maryland, 1994
*''Colombo'', Carl Muller, Penguin Books, New Delhi, 1995

{{Colombo}}
{{Suburbs of Colombo}}
{{Provincial capitals of Sri Lanka}}
{{Largest Sri Lankan cities}}
{{Municipalities and Urban areas of Sri Lanka}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Colombo| ]]
[[Category:Former national capitals]]
[[Category:Populated places in Western Province, Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Portuguese forts]]