Colombo Metropolitan Region

The Colombo Metropolitan Region is the primary urban area in Sri Lanka. It encompasses the executive and judicial capital, Colombo, and the legislative capital, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. This region serves as Sri Lanka's main administrative, commercial, and industrial center, and it is the focal point of the nation's transportation network.1

Colombo, situated on the west coast, is a significant port on the Indian Ocean, handling a substantial portion of Sri Lanka's foreign trade. Historically, the port has been developed by various colonial powers, including the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. The city's oldest districts, the Fort and the Pettah, remain centers of government, commerce, and traditional markets. While most Sri Lankans live in rural settlements, the Colombo Metropolitan Region is the most prominent urban hub, with other urban areas being considerably smaller and less diverse in their functions.21