Joanna James
Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, has many attractions to visit. However, if you are short on time, here are the top 5 attractions you have to cover before you leave Colombo.
If you are staying at a Colombo hotel along the likes of Berjaya Hotel Colombo, you must make a visit to the Galle Face Green located in the heart of Colombo's financial district. The Galle Face Green's promenade was initially laid out during colonial times by a British Governor in 1859. It is currently one of the largest open spaces in Colombo and offers a breathtaking view of the sea. On a typical day at the Galle Face Green, you will see children frolicking, a number of street food vendors and adults and children flying kites. Once you have visited the green, you can cross the road and dine at one of the many restaurants in the area.
The iconic Independence Square is a national monument in Sri Lanka and built to commemorate Sri Lanka's independence from British rule. It is built on the same location where the formal ceremony denoting the start of self-governance took place on the 4th of February 1948. It is built to resemble a Kandyan audience hall and what truly sets this monument apart is the line of imposing stone lions guarding the monument. Below the Independence Memorial Hall is the Independence Memorial Museum which is filled with busts of the important individuals involved in Sri Lanka's independence movement.
A visit to the National Museum is a must for anyone interested in the island's colourful history. Established on the 1st of January 1877, the National Museum was founded by the British Governor at that time. It was constructed by one of Sri Lanka's most prolific builders, Wapchi Marikar, who was also responsible for several well-known buildings around the island such as the General Post Office and the Clock Tower. The galleries in the museum date back to 1877 and are replete with artifacts from the ancient times of Sri Lanka and its colonial period.
Located close to the Beira Lake, the Gangaramaya Temple developed from humble beginnings as a small temple to its current temple complex. The Gangaramaya Temple's rooms are overflowing with a number of Buddhist and Hindu statues. Visitors to the temple can see old coins, ancient ola leaf writing and other displays of tradition and culture. The Gangaramaya Temple complex also houses a vocational training institute. If you are visiting Colombo in February, you may be lucky enough to catch the Navam Perahera, an annual religious procession with traditional performers and Buddhist monks.
Also known as the Manning Market, Pettah Market is a famous open-air market in Colombo. Pettah Market is an excellent place to savour the hustle and bustle of market life in Colombo. The market has almost everything and is a great place to buy clothing at affordable prices. There are many landmarks within the Pettah Market area, including the picturesque candy striped Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque.
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