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Colombo is the only entrance to the splendid island and the commercial and business centre of Sri Lanka . It is dotted with countless attractive and significant tourist attractions including colonial era buildings. National Museum in Colombo is established in 1877, this is the oldest museum in Sri Lanka contain a collection of antiques, items displaying the cultural inheritance of Sri Lanka and more than 4,000 prehistoric palm leaf manuscripts. The most imperative items include the throne of the last royal court. Tourists could gain a good understanding of 2500-year history of Sri Lanka .
Unlocked to the public since 1982 this building embodies the exclusive architectural features of a colonial Dutch town house. The museum while exhibiting the Dutch legacy with the artifacts viz. furniture, ceramics, coins, arms etc. portrays facets of modern life and culture.
Many restaurants in Colombo provide manus from around the world and all major hotels have outstanding restaurants. Chinese Sze Chuan style restaurants are the most excellent among the locals. Kelaniya temple is about 7 km to the north is an oldest attraction near Colombo . A site visited by Buddha is renowned for it's paintings in the image house.
Beach resort of Negombo is once an imperative Dutch trading town is about 40km north of the city (close to the airport).Mt Lavenia (8 kM), Wadduwa (40km) are well-liked beaches to the south of Colombo. The present day fabulous Mt Lavenia Hotel is a former abode of a British Governor and famous for its architecture and the legendary location.
Sri Lanka 's economic centre is a vivid and bustling city. It's a motivating blend of Moor, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences with a history of over 600 years.The centre is recognized as 'Fort', but there is slight sign of that of today. The Fort area today is a collection of marble and glass structures along such esteemed buildings such as the Miller's, building and the General Post Office.Most of the important government buildings are housed here, including the Janadhipahi Mandiraya. However, the President no longer stays here. The clock tower in Fort is a familiar landmark, which was a lighthouse 140 years ago. The Pettah is Colombo 's bustling bazaar area. It has many zigzag roads mark out segments which specializes in various trades from the latest models of Japanese electrical & electronic items, Swiss watches & Levi's jeans to used computers, sarees, spices and condiments, goldsmiths and jewellers, wholesale traders in rice, sugar, onions and lentils and chilies.
There are quite a few Buddhist temples in the town. Worth a visit is the Gangaramaya Temple , near the Beira Lake . The most vital temple close to Colombo is the Kelani Raja Maha Viharaya. This place date back to the very early dates of the Singhalese Buddhist civilization in this country. It is one of the three places in the country where Lord Buddha is supposed to have visited. The temple show offs some very enthralling wall and ceiling paintings. Colombo has many Hindu temples, known as kovils. The New Kathiresan and Old Kathiresan Kovils, which are devoted to the war god Skanda are the starting point for the annual Vel celebration. The huge Vel chariot is pulled to kovils in Galle road, Bambalapitiya. Other kovils worth visiting are the Sri Ponnabalam-Vanesvaram kovil in Kochchikade, and the Sri Shiva Subramania Swami kovil on Kew road, Slave Island . The Grand Mosque in Pettah is probably the most vital mosque in Sri Lanka .
Other places of interest are the National Zoo situated south of city at Dehiwela. This is considered one of the major zoos in South Asia . The Viharamahadevi Park , which is Colombo 's biggest park with it's shady flowering trees right across the Town hall. The National Museum , which has a fine collection of ancient royal regalia, Singhalese artwork, antique furniture and china, and ola manuscripts (You are not allowed to take photos). The Art Gallery focuses on portraiture and temporary exhibits by the local artists.
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