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Spotlight on...Colombo

Spotlight on...Colombo

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Colombo is the largest city in the country of Sri Lanka with a population of 647,000 (5,648,000 in the wider metropolitan area). The city, like the country, has had a turbulent recent history, due to the numerous invasions and colonisations it has suffered. However, this has led to a diverse and unique multi-cultural society in present day Colombo.

History

The Portuguese and Dutch invaders of the 1500s and 1600s mainly used Colombo as a fort, due to its strategic position and its natural harbour. Prior to this, however, the area was known to Roman, Chinese and Arab traders stretching back 2,000 years. In 1796, Colombo was captured and colonised by the British, who began to build civilian structures, turning Colombo from a military stronghold into a fully fledged city.

Colombo was made a capital city by the British, and when the country gained independence in 1948, it retained its capital city status. In 1978, neighbouring Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte was chosen to be Sri Lanka’s new capital city, however Colombo is still regarded as the country’s commercial capital.

Present day

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As a coastal town and port, Colombo has many canals running through it, as well as a massive 65-hectare lake in the heart of the city, named Beira Lake. The shores of the lake play host to regular theatrical events and regattas, including the Royal Thomian Boat Race, the most prestigious boat race in Sri Lanka.

The 3 largest ethnic groups in the city are the Sinhalese, Tamil and Moors. There are also small communities spread throughout the city of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and Malay. The city is also very religiously diverse, however the biggest festival of the year is the Vesak festival, celebrating Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death. The festival lasts for a week in mid May, and many Sri Lankans from all over the country flock to Colombo to see the lantern competitions and bright decorations throughout the city.

Landmarks

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For tourists visiting the city there are several must-see landmarks. Today, there are several skyscrapers and modern buildings throughout the city, such as the World Trade Centre towers, and the Bank of Ceylon tower. However many of the older buildings are equally iconic. The Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, built in 1909, has been a recognisable and stunning landmark for over a century and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

The Galle Face Green is a half kilometre long promenade and green that runs along the coast, beside the city’s financial district. Originally laid out by the British in 1859, and used for horse racing and golf, today it is open to the public and is often full of families and tourists enjoying picnics, playing sports or flying kites.

The most popular sport in Sri Lanka is undisputedly cricket – the national team were world champions in 1996, and runners up in 2007 and the 2009 Twenty:Twenty tournament. Colombo is home to two of the nation’s best-known international cricket grounds: the Sinhalese Sports Club Stadium; and the R. Premadasa Stadium.

There are numerous NCC Accredited Partner Centres in Colombo: IDM Computer Studies (PVT) X 2, Gateway Centre for Information Technology, and Gateway College. You can find out more about each centre by clicking their name to visit their website.

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