Colombo Disney Travel Agents Near Me

Overview

Introduction

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is a frenetic city with good hotels, restaurants and shopping. The streets are filled with every form of transportation imaginable—buses, cars, trucks, tuk-tuks, oxcarts and pedestrians—and no one seems to follow any particular traffic rules.

The chaos is probably most evident along Galle Road, the main north-south artery in the city. At the north end of the road is the area known as the Fort, once a colonial stronghold but now the site of many government buildings.

Just south of the Fort is Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where the turf is not green but brown. Galle Face Green is a popular place for informal cricket games and weekend strolls. Military helicopters often land there to deliver ministers to emergency sessions of parliament.

At the south end of the green is the venerable Galle Face Hotel. Although it is not as well-kept as other hotels, it is one of the oldest on the island. Watching the sunset from the Galle Face veranda with a drink is the most relaxing thing to do in Colombo.

Geography

Colombo is the largest city in Sri Lanka, as well as its capital. Since ancient times, Colombo's port has played an important role in international trade, making it Sri Lanka's most notable commercial business hub.

Located in Sri Lanka's western province, Colombo lies adjacent to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (the parliamentary capital of Sri Lanka) and is a much sought-after tourism destination, as it offers a combination of tradition and modernity.

History

Colombo was established as a port city. Its name is believed to be a derivation of Kolon Thota, which means, "port on the Kelani river."

The original inhabitants of this island country are believed to be people who came from the Indian subcontinent. The Sinhalese who form a majority of Sri Lanka's population today are believed to have arrived there around the sixth century BC. Foreigners who came to the port to trade in Colombo's cinnamon—the Portuguese, Dutch and the British—gradually sought to gain control of the city and rule over it.

The trading community of Muslim Moors, who arrived in Colombo in the eighth century, were probably the earliest to arrive at the port and settle in the region. The Portuguese came to Sri Lanka in 1505 to trade and were given complete control of the coastline by the Kotte kingdom. Gradually, they took over the Muslim settlements in Colombo followed by control over a large part of the kingdom. However, Sinhalese King Mayadunne of the Kotte kingdom forced the Portuguese to return to Colombo and routinely carried out attacks on the city. After the fall of the Kotte kingdom in 1593, the Portuguese established complete control over the coastal area. The part of Colombo where they exacted control is today known as the Fort and is an upscale neighborhood with a large concentration of luxury hotels.

The Dutch arrived in Colombo in the 17th century and helped the Sinhalese rulers gain freedom from the Portuguese. They gradually took over the very land they had freed from the earlier foreign rulers and came to control the island's cinnamon plantations.

Potpourri

Tea was introduced in Sri Lanka in 1867, and rubber in 1876. Now the country is one of the largest exporters of both tea and rubber.

In Colombo, nodding your head means "no," and shaking your head means "yes."

The Pinnawala elephant orphanage, 56 mi/90 km from Colombo, is one of the few elephant welfare centers in the world. For a nominal fee, the orphanage allows visitors to pet the elephants and assist the caretakers in giving the pachyderms a bath.

Rohitha, the youngest son of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, competes in Colombo Night Race every year. Rohitha's brother Yoshitha is one of the organizers of the street race.

Hoppers are a popular Lankan snack similar to pancakes. They're usually served with egg, honey or yogurt.

Location