Colombo by the Kelani River

Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka. In history, it was a port on ancient east-west trade routes and has been ruled by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. It is a city with a mixture of colonial buildings, high-rises, and shopping malls.

Golf lovers will especially like the Royal Colombo Golf Club, right in the heart of the city. However, even if you don’t play golf you will enjoy it here since it is a tranquil place where you can watch others tee off and relax in the natural surroundings. The scenic landscape has some rare species of flora and fauna. At one time this was a 96-acre farm. It was founded more than 130 years ago and is the second oldest Royal Golf Club located outside of the U.K. In the clubhouse, you can find an extensive array of historic golf memorabilia.

As you enter The National Museum you’ll find a large stone Buddha smiling at you dating from the 9th century. Here you can see displays in galleries dating back to 1877 of all kinds of art, carvings, and statuary from Sri Lanka’s past, as well as swords, guns, and other paraphernalia from the colonial period. There are also impressive 19th-century reproductions of English paintings of Sri Lanka and an amazing collection of antique demon masks. You can also find the wonderful royal throne that was made for King Wimaladharma in 1693 as well as 9th century bronze Bodhisattva Sandals. The grounds are shaded by lovely banyan trees.

The Old City Hall dates back to 1865 and was built during the British era. On the ground floor, you’ll find old trucks and municipal equipment on display. Tip the attendants and they’ll take you up the vintage mahogany stairs where you can take a look at the old council chambers and see replicas of the town’s first councilors in 1906.

The Dutch Period Museum has made its home in the 17th century residence of the Dutch governor. The building has been used as a Catholic seminary, a military hospital, a police station, and a post office. There is a lovely garden courtyard. On display, you can see Dutch colonial furniture and other artifacts.

Viharamahadevi Park is Colombo’s biggest park and was originally called Victoria Park. It was renamed in the 1950s after King Dutugemunu’s mother. There are lovely flowering trees that bloom in March, April, and early May. At times elephants that have been used for ceremonies wind up spending the night in the park, enjoying a feast from the palm branches.

There are benches upon which to rest, walkways for strolling, lovely landscaping, and playgrounds.

The most important Dutch building in Sri Lanka is Wolvendaal Church dating from 1749. At the time that the church was built, this area was a wilderness beyond the city walls. When Europeans mistook roaming jackals for wolves the area became known as Wolf’s Dale or Wolvendaal in Dutch. The church was built in the form of a Greek cross, with walls 1.5m thick. The real treasure here is the Dutch furniture. Dutch governors have a special pew created with elegant carved ebony chairs. The workmanship on the wooden pulpit, baptismal font, and lectern is just as impressive. The stone floor includes the elaborate tombstones of long-forgotten Dutch governors and colonists.

St. Anthony’s Church is one of the most interesting shrines in the city. It looks just like a typical Portuguese Catholic Church. Inside it’s more subcontinental. You can see devotees making offers or prayers to a dozen ornate statues. The statue of St. Anthony is said to be endowed with miraculous qualities. No photography is allowed.

The Fort was once indeed a true fort during the European era. At that time it was surrounded by the sea on two sides and a moat on the landward sides.

Today it’s a business center with an unusual mixture of modern structures, like the World Trade Center, and red-brick institutions from the Colonial era, like Cargills and Millers.

An impressive landmark is the clock tower at the junction of Chatham St. and Janadhipathi Mawatha, once originally a lighthouse.

To the south of the Fort is Galle Face Green, a long stretch of lawn that faces the sea. Originally it was cleared by the Dutch so that the cannons of the Fort would have a clear line of fire. Today its lawns are a popular place to meet. You can see joggers running by, kite flyers, and walkers. It gets crowded on the weekends and food vendors are on hand.

About 5km south of the Fort and 2km inland you’ll find Cinnamon Gardens which is Colombo’s ritziest address. At one time this area was covered by cinnamon plantations. Today you can delight in elegant tree-lined streets and posh mansions, as well as the city’s biggest park, some sports grounds. and museums and galleries.

Independence Memorial Hall sits in the very heart of Cinnamon Gardens. It is popular as a recreational venue for joggers, strollers, students from the university, and families relaxing. This stone edifice commemorates Sri Lanka’s independence from the British Empire in 1948. The monument has lavish symbols of the island’s rich history and political freedom. At the very entrance is a statue of D.S. Senanayake, Sri Lanka’s first prime minister, surrounded by four stone lions with protruding eyes. While visiting don’t forget to take a look at the basement museum that displays interesting exhibits that showcase Sri Lanka’s colonial history and struggle for independence. There are also cultural exhibits demonstrating Sri Lanka’s ancient literature and arts.

Overshadowing Slave Island is the 350m Lotus Tower, opening sometime in October 2017. The top of the tower is meant to resemble the Lotus flower. This tower will be equipped with telecommunications equipment and tourist attractions that include an observation deck at the top and a water park at the base. It is being financed by China.

The National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka or Dehiwala Zoo is located in Dehiwala, a suburb of Colombo. The zoo is home to a variety of animals like birds, snakes, fish, monkeys, and other animals. There are also some animal shows featuring seals and elephants. You can find a number of kiosks selling drinks and snacks. There are benches upon which you can relax while observing rhinos and giraffes. The zoo is also home to sea lions, horses, zebras, and crocodiles. The chimpanzees are always ready to entertain.

Arcade Independence Square is located in Colombo 7 and is part of the process of beautifying the city. This is one of the best places in Colombo to relax, shop and dine. The Arcade is lovely especially at night when all lit up. There is an interesting lion sculpture and an aquarium. The plants and pathways make it more interesting. There are many shops to explore and you can also purchase Sri Lankan products. Visitors can also enjoy the Ceylon Theater’s Empire Cineplex for entertainment. It is also a great place to relax, do some people watching, or enjoy the lights when they come on at night.