Colombo
News •
-
What is Colombo?
Colombo is the executive and judicial capital city of Sri Lanka, located on the island's west coast, just south of the Kelani River. Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a suburb of Colombo, is the legislative capital. Colombo is a principal port on the Indian Ocean, with one of the largest artificial harbors in the world, which handles the majority of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade.
Colombo’s oldest districts are the Fort and the Pettah; the Fort remains a focal point for government and commercial activity, while the Pettah is known for small shops and markets. Notable buildings include the Secretariat, the Town Hall, the Clock Tower, St. Lucia’s Cathedral, and the Galle Face Hotel.
4 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
Where is Colombo located?
Colombo, the executive and judicial capital of Sri Lanka, is situated on the island's west coast, just south of the Kelani River. The city is a principal port on the Indian Ocean and features one of the largest artificial harbors globally, which handles most of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade. Colombo is divided into three administrative divisions: Colombo, Galle, and Jaffna. The country is divided into nine provinces and then subdivided into 25 districts for administrative purposes.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What is the importance of Colombo in Sri Lanka?
Colombo is the executive and judicial capital of Sri Lanka and a principal port in the Indian Ocean. Situated on the island's west coast, south of the Kelani River, it boasts one of the largest artificial harbors globally, managing most of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade.
Colombo's history dates back to the 5th century CE, with Arab traders settling there in the 8th century. The Portuguese, Dutch, and British developed the port from the 16th century, with Colombo becoming the island's capital in 1815. Today, Colombo is Sri Lanka's commercial center, hosting local and foreign banks, the Insurance Corporation, brokerage houses, and government corporations. The city's manufacturing industries process raw materials exported through its port. Colombo connects to other major cities by train and bus, with an international airport at Katunayake.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What are some main features or landmarks in Colombo?
Colombo, the executive and judicial capital of Sri Lanka, is a principal port on the Indian Ocean. Its harbor is one of the world's largest artificial harbors, handling most of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade.
Key features and landmarks include the Fort and Pettah districts, the Secretariat, Town Hall, Clock Tower, St. Lucia’s Cathedral, and Galle Face Hotel. You can also find the Wolvendahl Church (built in 1749), a hospital complex, the University of Colombo (1921), Buddhist and Hindu temples, and residences of the head of state and prime minister. Cultural institutions such as the National Museum and the Department of National Archives are located in Colombo.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How has Colombo's history influenced its development?
Colombo's development has been significantly shaped by its history as a strategic port and a hub of trade. In the 8th century CE, Arab traders settled near the modern port, and from the 16th century, the Portuguese, Dutch, and British developed the port. Colombo became the capital of Ceylon in 1815 when the Sinhalese chiefs ceded territory to the British.
The city's manufacturing industries are based on processing raw materials exported through the port. Increasing export trade led to the expansion of the harbor and to railway and road construction. Today, Colombo handles the majority of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade and has one of the largest artificial harbors in the world.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What languages and cultures are found in Colombo today?
Colombo, Sri Lanka's executive and judicial capital, is a melting pot of languages and cultures. The official and national languages are Sinhala and Tamil.
The city's ethnic composition includes Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim communities, with smaller populations of Burghers, Parsis, and Veddas. Colombo has been shaped by Arab traders, and European colonial powers, such as the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. This diverse history is reflected in Colombo's cultural landscape, with influences from India, Asia, and Europe evident in its architecture, religious practices, and social customs.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Colombo, city, executive and judicial capital of Sri Lanka. (Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a Colombo suburb, is the legislative capital.) Situated on the west coast of the island, just south of the Kelani River, Colombo is a principal port on the Indian Ocean. It has one of the largest artificial harbours in the world and handles the majority of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade.
The earliest written mention of the port may be that of Faxian, a Chinese traveler of the 5th century ce who referred to the port as Gaolanbu. The Sinhalese called the port Kolamba, which the Portuguese thought was derived from the Sinhalese word for mango trees (kola, “leaves,” and amba, “mango”). A more likely explanation is that kolamba was an old Sinhalese word meaning “port” or “ferry.”
In the 8th century ce Arab traders settled near the site of the modern port. From the 16th century onward the port was developed by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British, who each in turn established themselves on the island of Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon). In 1815, when the Sinhalese chiefs deposed the king of Kandy in the heart of Ceylon and ceded his territory to the British, Colombo became the capital of the island. Western influence in the city has diminished since Sri Lanka gained its independence in 1948.
The oldest districts of the city, which are nearest the harbour and north of Beira Lake, are known as the Fort and the Pettah (a name deriving from the Tamil word pettai, meaning “the town outside the fort”). The Fort is still a focal point of government and commercial activity, although less so than in the past. The Pettah has become a district of small shops, markets, and sidewalk stalls, with all the characteristic features of a traditional bazaar. The built-up area of Cinnamon Gardens, which is south of Beira Lake, was an important cinnamon-growing region during the Dutch period.
Colombo’s important buildings include the Secretariat, the Town Hall, the Clock Tower, St. Lucia’s Cathedral, and the Galle Face Hotel. Other distinctive buildings in the city are the Wolvendahl Church, built by the Dutch in 1749; a complex of hospitals; the University of Colombo (1921); several Buddhist and Hindu temples; and the residences of the head of state and of the prime minister.
The city’s manufacturing industries are based on the processing of raw materials exported through the port. General engineering industries are connected with public utilities and with the sale, service, repair, and assembly of motor vehicles and other machinery; light manufacturers process food, drinks, and tobacco. Numerous factories are located on the city’s periphery. Colombo is also the commercial centre of the island; the head offices of local and foreign banks, the Insurance Corporation (which has a monopoly of insurance), brokerage houses, and government corporations are all located in the city.
Trains connect Colombo with other major cities on the island. There are also bus services within the city and to all parts of Sri Lanka. The international airport is located at Katunayake, and Ratmalana airport handles domestic flights.
The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.
SUBSCRIBE
Colombo has numerous parks and playing fields. Among them are the Galle Face Green by the sea, the Vihara Maha Devi Park, and the Ridgeway Golf Links. Cricket and football (soccer and rugby) grounds are located throughout the city; tennis and track events are also popular. Sea bathing and surfing can be enjoyed at Mount Lavinia Beach, which is about 7 miles (11 km) south of the city. The National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka are located at nearby Dehiwala. Pop. (2012) city, 561,314; urban agglom., 2,324,349.