Colombo City Centre is a 47-storey mixed-use development. Colombo City Centre comprises a five storey retail space which consists of 3,675 m2 (39,560 sq ft), including a 164-room hotel and 192 residential apartments.[1]

The building is situated opposite Beira Lake, on Sir James Pieris Mawatha.

The development was a joint venture between a local company, the Abans Group, and Singaporean company, SilverNeedle Hospitality. The project was built at an estimated cost of US$170M.[2]

As of 2021, it is wholly owned by Abans Group.[3] The construction was undertaken by Sanken Construction (Pvt.) Ltd.[4][5]The third storey of the development will contain a retail mall, with a 415-seat food court and 18-20 food outlets operated by Food Studio (Sri Lanka).[2] The hotel will be operated by Marriott International.

Location

Colombo City Centre is located in the centre of Colombo, adjacent to the Beira Lake. It is in close proximity to the primary and secondary business districts of the city.[6]

Design

The complex was designed by Aedas, Singapore and KWA Architects, Sri Lanka.[7]

Construction status

The expected completion and handover of the building was December 2018.

The Colombo Dutch Museum is a museum that covers the history of the Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka.

The building

The two storey colonnaded building on Prince Street, Pettah (Colombo 11) which houses this museum was constructed during the Dutch occupation of Colombo (1656 - 1796) and was the formal residence of the Governor of Dutch Ceylon Thomas van Rhee (1634 - 1701) during his term of office in 1692 to 1697.[1] The building has been used for many different purposes over the years. It was a teacher training college and an institute for the instruction of clergymen between 1696 and 1796. At one time it was the residence of Colonel Count August Carl Fredrick Von Ranzow (1759 - 1844).[2] It operated as an orphanage under the supervision of the deacons and financed by the Dutch East Indies Company. It was also used as a hospital. It became a barracks in the second half of the 1800s and in 1900 it was used as a police training school, set up by the British.[2] In 1932 it was converted to the Pettah Post Office. In 1971 following heavy monsoon rains one of the exterior walls collapsed and the building was abandoned. Following protests by the Royal Asiatic Society and the Dutch Burgher Union against plans to demolish the building, in 1973 a committee was established with representatives from the Ceylon Tourist Board, the Department of Archaeology, the Netherlands Alumni Association of Lanka and the National Archives, to restore the building and establish a museum covering the Dutch colonial period.

The restoration of the building commenced in 1977, with financial assistance of Netherlands government, and was completed in 1981. This museum was opened to the public in 1982. This building embodies the unique architectural features of a colonial Dutch town house. In 1999 the museum building was formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological protected monument in Sri Lanka. The designation was declared on 18 June under the government Gazette number 1085.[3]

The museum while displaying the Dutch legacy with the artefacts including furniture, ceramics, coins and weaponry, portraying the various facets of contemporary life and culture.

The Colombo National Museum, also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum, is a museum in Colombo and the largest in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1877 and maintained by the Department of National Museums, it holds collections of significant importance to Sri Lanka, such as the regalia of the Kandyan monarchs, as well as many other exhibits relating the country's cultural and natural heritage.[1][2]

History

Museum in 1896

The Colombo Museum, as it was initially called, was established on 1 January 1877. Its founder was Sir William Henry Gregory the British Governor of Ceylon.[3] The Royal Asiatic Society was instrumental in bringing to the notice of Gregory on his appointment as governor in 1872 the need for a public museum, with some difficulty the approval of the legislative council was obtained within a year. The Government architect of the Public Works Department, James George Smither (1833–1910)[3] was able to prepare the plans for a new structure in the Italian Architectural style. The construction was completed in 1876 and the museum opened the following year.[citation needed]

The construction of the museum was carried out by Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar[3] (1829–1925, aka Wapchi Marikar, who was descended from the Sheiq Fareed family who arrived in Ceylon in 1060), the paternal grandfather of Sir Razik Fareed. Wapchi Marikar was the builder of the General Post Office, Colombo Customs building, Town Hall in Pettah, Galle Face Hotel, Victoria Arcade, Finlay Moir building, the Colombo Fort clock tower, Batternburg Battery and a number of other buildings that are still standing today (2011). The Old Town Hall in Pettah, which is now a busy market, was built on a contract for the sum of 689 Pounds Sterling.[citation needed]

In January 1877, the completed building of the Colombo Museum was declared open by Governor Gregory, in the presence of a large crowd, amongst which there were many Muslims. At the end of the ceremony, the governor asked Wapchi Marikar what honour he wished to have for his dedication. He asked the same question of the carpenter S. M. Perera who was responsible for the woodwork of the museum, who requested and was awarded a local rank. Marikar requested that the museum be closed on Fridays, the Muslim sabbath; this request was granted and maintained, although the museum later opened on all days except public holidays.[4]

When the throne of the last Kandyan king was to be exhibited at the museum, the prime minister, D. S. Senanayake, obtained the consent of Sir Razik Fareed, Wapchi Marikar's grandson, to keep the museum open on the intervening Fridays only.[1]

Sculpture of the Buddha located at the entrance of the museum.(Toluwila statue)

Heiyantuduwa Raja (elephant) Skeleton at

National Museum of Colombo, Sri Lanka

During the period between 1877 and 1999, the authorities of the museum took various steps to display the cultural and natural heritage of the country for this purpose. Several other wings were added from time to time under the direction of Dr. Arthur Willey and Dr. Joseph Pearson new structures were built during the period of Dr. P. E. P. Deraniyagala, Dr. P. H. D. H. de Silva and Sirinimal Lakdusinghe. One of the natural history museum, and yet another consists of the auditorium. These buildings would facilitate the extension of the library ethnological and Anthropological studies.[citation needed]

Developments after 1940

The museum was given the status of a national museum during the period of P. E. P. Deraniyagala. He opened branch museums in Jaffna, Kandy, and Ratnapura and a fully-fledged department of national museum was established in 1942 under the act No. 31. Nine branch museums were ultimately opened, and a school science programme and a mobile museum service are also in operation.[citation needed]

The museum has a copy of the Statue of Tara, a three-quarter life size statue of Tara currently held in the British Museum.[5] The crown jewels and the throne of the last King of Kandy, which were returned to Sri Lanka by the British Government, were added to the museum collection. Ground floor galleries are arranged in historical sequence, and upper galleries thematically.[citation needed]

A library was also established on 1 January 1877. The government Oriental library (1870) was incorporated into Colombo National Museum library, and served as the nucleus of the library collection by collecting the local publications of the past 129 years; the library has been functioning as an unofficial national library in Sri Lanka, and became the first legal deposit library in the island. From its inception, special attention was given to building up of a collection related to Sri Lanka, Orientation and Natural Science.[citation needed]

Dedigama Elephant Lamp at Colombo National Museum

In 1982 Dr. Thelma Gunawardena became the first woman director of the National Museum of Colombo.[6] She served from 1982 through 1994.[7]

From 1972 to 1991, Prof. Pandula Andagama was the assistant director of the Department of Anthropology in the museum,[8] and the assistant director of the National Museum. In his tenure, he established an anthropological deposit in the National Museum. He also organized many temporary exhibitions in the National Museum.

National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka (also called Dehiwala Zoo or Colombo Zoo) is a zoological garden in Dehiwala, Sri Lanka, founded in 1936. It is home to various birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians. The zoo not only exhibits animals from Sri Lanka, but also exhibits species from across Asian and other parts of the globe.

As of 2005, the zoo has 3,000 animals and 350 species. The annual revenue is LKR 40 million.

The Dehiwala Zoo exchanges its residents with other zoological gardens for breeding purposes. In June 2021, a lion named Thor which had been living in the zoo since 2012 reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.[3][4]

History of Dehiwala Zoo

Sri Lanka has a history of collecting and keeping wild animals as pets by both Sri Lankan kings as well as by European colonisers. What is known today as the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka was founded by John Hagenbeck in the late 1920s. During John Hagenbeck's ownership of the zoos the facility was used as a collection centre by his colleague Heinz Randow who collected numerous native and exotic species from across Asia, for Hagenbeck's zoo; Tierpark Hagenbeck. Randow collected numerous native species like; Tufted grey langur, Purple-faced langur, Toque macaque, Sloth bear, Sri Lankan leopard, Asian water monitor, Axis deer and Sambar deer and other Asian species like; Asiatic black bear, Bengal tiger, Malayan tiger, Malayan Tapir, rhesus macaque, Bonnet macaque, a variety of pythons, fish and invertebrates.

Before World War I, the Dehiwala Zoo was also involved in Ethnographic Expositions (human zoo exhibits)[5] and functioned as holding quarters for live human exhibits collected from around the region.[6]

The zoo was closed at the beginning of World War II in 1939 because the company's owner was German. After the liquidation of Zoological Garden Company in 1936, the government acquired much of the collection and added it to the Dehiwala Zoo (Zoological Garden of Ceylon) collection. Although Dehiwala Zoo officially began operating in 1939, an impressive animal collection already existed as part of the Hagenback company's holding area where the public could visit.

Major Aubrey Neil Weinman, OBE was the first Director of the Dehiwala Zoo. During his tenure, various programs were developed, such as introducing more native and foreign species, launching educational and conservation programs, and improving the facilities and infrastructure. Aubrey Neil Weinman went on to help design the National Zoo of Malaysia.

After Major Aubrey Neil Weinman's retirement Lyn de Alwis, took over as the zoo Director. Lyn de Alwis played a key role in the development of the zoo. During his tenure the zoo was considered one of the best zoos in the world. This fame led him to be contracted to help design both the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, Singapore. Lyn de Alwis was able to acquire several rare species for the zoo like; Western gorilla, clouded leopard, red panda, Kodiak bear, North China leopard, Chinese mountain cat, Oriental stork and Chinese giant salamander.

By 1969, half of the collection consisted of native species including virtually all of the mammals represented. In 1973, the zoo had 158 mammal species, 259 bird species, 56 reptile species and seven fish species. However, not much was reported on the size of zoo collection until the 1980s.

Zoo

Red lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Min Madura

Dehiwala Zoological Garden is one of the oldest zoological gardens in Asia. It has a substantial collection of worldwide animals, being open year-round and accessible via public transportation. The diversity of the zoo is shown its in aquarium, two walk-through aviaries, reptile house, butterfly garden and many enclosures of varying sizes.

The zoological garden has a small but picturesque butterfly garden which is decorated with small shrubs, trees, creepers and small streams. The internal temperature and humidity of the house is controlled by artificially created mist. The butterfly garden exhibits 30 species of butterflies in all stages of their life cycles for educational purposes.

Diyatha Uyana is located at Polduwa junction, Battaramulla near the Waters Edge Hotel. The park has been constructed on marshy land on the banks of the Diyawanna Oya. It sits between the Parliament Complex and the Diyawanna Oya at the Polduwa junction

History

The Diyatha Uyana Park built along the banks of the Diyawanna Oya was opened on 15 September 2014. The opening ceremony of the "Diyatha Uyana" was attended by the Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa AKA Kaputa and Secretary Defence and Urban Development president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The project was carried out by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Civil Security Department personnel under the close guidance and supervision of Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa.[1]

Floating Restaurant

The Water’s Edge floating restaurant was opened in December 2014. The construction of the floating restaurant was undertaken under the offshore patrol construction project of the Sri Lanka Navy to a local plan. Today this restaurant is managed by water sage hotel management. The restaurant can accommodate 36 to 55 people. It is 16 m (51 ft) in length and 9.4 m (31 ft) wide. A technical team of the Navy was appointed to handle all mechanical issues with the hotel crew for serving with a chef. Night rides are also available enabling tourists to view the city at dusk. The floating restaurant also accommodates individual functions.

The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital (known as The Dutch Hospital) is considered to be the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area dating back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. It is now a heritage building and a shopping and dining precinct.

History

Dutch Era

Built as a hospital by the Dutch, it has been used for several different purposes, over the years. It is believed to have existed since 1681, as recorded by German Christoper Schweitzer.[1] The Dutch established the Colombo hospital to look after the health of the officers and other staff serving under the Dutch East India Company. The hospital's close proximity to the harbour allowed it to serve Dutch seafarers.[2]

Most patients were provided with a mat, while the most ill were given a mattress. Patients clothing was imported from Tuticorin, India. The surgeon with the longest service at the Colombo hospital was Alleman. Alleman sought to improve conditions at the hospital, including increasing provisions. The most famous of all the surgeons who worked in the Colombo hospital was undoubtedly Paul Hermann, who served from 1672-79. Herman has been described as the father of botany in Sri Lanka.[2]

Paintings from the era show that it once had a canal running along what is now Canal Row lane. This canal was filled in by British colonists after their capture of the city.[2]

Post Independence

The building was the Colombo Fort Police Station from the early 1980s to 1990s, prior to which it housed the Colombo Apothecaries. It suffered heavy damage in the LTTE attack that followed the Central Bank bombing in 1996.[citation needed]

In 2011, it has been transformed into a shopping and dining precinct, where the historic architecture has been preserved.[1]

Architecture

The building reflects seventeenth-century Dutch colonial architecture.[2]

The building has five wings forming two courtyards. It is designed to keep out the heat and humidity and provide a comfortable environment within. Like many Colombo Dutch buildings of the era, the walls are 50 cm thick. The structure features massive teak beams. The upper floor is located in the front wing and can be reached with a wooded staircase. This upper storey has a wooden floor. A long open veranda runs along the length of each wing of the building.[2]

Paintings of the front and rear views of the Colombo hospital, done in 1771 by a Dutch artist—presumably Johannes Rach—are preserved in the Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde at Leiden, in the Netherlands. These show that the building has changed little.[2]

The original landscaping has disappeared

The Galle Face Green is a 12 acres urban park stretching 500 meters along the coast. It is situated in the heart of Colombo surrounded by a large business area. Initially the Galle Face Green was used for horse racing, golf, cricket, rugby, football and tennis. At present it is used as a large open space between the Galle Road and the Indian Ocean for people to come and have fun under the open skies. There are various food vendors selling cooked crabs and prawns, slices of mango with pepper and salt etc. along the area. It is situated facing a majority of five star hotels in Colombo.

History of Galle Face Green

The Galle Face Green was initially laid out by the then Governor Sir Henry George Ward in 1859. The original Galle Face Green was extended over a much larger area than what is seen today. It was initially laid out by the Dutch in order to enable their cannons a strategic line of fire against the enemies, the Portuguese.

The Galle Face Green is maintained and administered by the Urban Development Authority of Sri Lanka (UDA).

The Galle Face Green has also hosted the world’s tallest artificial Christmas tree, on 25th December 2016.

Gangaramaya is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo, started by the famous scholar monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera in the late 19th Century.

After the Venerable Sri Sumangala, his chief pupil Devundera Sri Jinaratana Nayake Thera took on the administration of the temple. It was he who laid the foundation to convert the little temple to an institute of international reckoning.

The next chief incumbent was the Ven. Devundara Keerthi Sri Sumangala Jinaratana Vacissara Thera, the teacher of the Ven. Galboda Gnanissara, who worked to make the Gangaramaya what it is today: much more than a temple in the conventional term, but a place of worship, a seat of learning and a cultural centre.

Dr Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, also known as the Green Path, is a two way street with a wide stretch of manicured grass, and neatly planted palm trees, separating the sides. It cuts straight through from the roundabout junction next to the Colombo Public Library to the roundabout at Alexandra Place. This straight road enables vehicles to bypass the longer stretch of Albert Crescent to reach Alexandra Road directly.

While the street does have a fair amount of greenery surrounding it, since they were added as part of the Urban Redevelopment Project a few years ago; the truth remains that Green Path has nothing to do with the color green.

It was merely a catchy name for one of the most famous open-air venues in Colombo. A number of events; such as food festivals, fairs, music concerts, non-profit initiatives, and even drag racing; take place here.

These events may be paid events or entrance free events; and gain huge popularity due to the venue.

During times that there are no events; the Green Path turns into an avenue for street artists and craftsmen to display their work. As such many abstract paintings, multi frame wall art, oil paintings and many such pieces of art brighten up the entire place. Woodworking and metal working craftsmen, with a number of other handcrafted item sellers, hawk their wares to passers by. Considering that the products here are original pieces, and can be bought at a much lower price when compared to those in stores; these street artists do pretty well with their daily sales.

So, regardless of whether there are any events happening, do take the time to pop by Green Path while in Colombo.

Guruge Nature Park is a popular attraction located in Jaela, Sri Lanka. The park is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including various species of birds, butterflies, and mammals. Visitors can explore the park on foot and enjoy.

The Arcade Independence Square is a shopping complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Housed in a group of renovated buildings including the former Jawatta Lunatic Asylum and the former Western Provincial Council Building, it was built as a part of the Independence Square Redevelopment programme initiated by the national government.[1]

History

The building was constructed in 1889 at a cost of Rs 450,000[2] to serve as the Jawatta Lunatic Asylum (also called the Cinnamon Gardens Asylum).[3] In 1875, the then Governor, Sir William Gregory,[4] based on the recommendations of the Principal Civil Medical Officer, Dr. W R Kynsey, decided to build a new asylum to replace the existing facility at Borella.[2] Issues over the location and design meant that construction did not commence until 1879, following the intervention of the new Governor, Sir James Longdon. Even then further construction of the building was delayed until 1882.[4] The building consisted of an entrance block, two patient wings (accommodating 400 patients) connected to the central administration and a boundary wall. Longdon defended the cost of the facility stating at the time, "The asylum is a series of one-storey buildings of the plainest type. The walls are of brick plastered, because of the climate plastering is found requisite for the preservation of buildings. There is no expensive ornamentation, or indeed any ornament at all, unless a short ungraceful and inexpensive tower over the entrance designed for the clock can be called an ornament. The enclosing walls are of ordinary cabook, such as is universally used for garden walls in Colombo."[2] The Jawatta Asylum suffered from overcrowding within years of completion, housing over 500 patients. In 1917 a new larger facility was constructed at Angoda, with all the patients being transferred from Jawatta by 1926.[4]

The building subsequently housed the newly established University College. The building complex was then occupied by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), the Public Administration Department, Auditor General's Department and later the Government Analyst's Department.[4]

Renovation

In 2012 the Urban Development Authority commenced the renovation of the buildings and special care was taken to preserve their original architectural features whilst adding modern technological features and amenities.[1] The construction of the mall took approximately 200 soldiers and six months of work to clear the spaces and fully reveal the original structures. The buildings remain true to the original complex with no additions or alterations. It took nearly two years to fully renovate the structure[5] at a cost of Rs 550 million.[6] The 8,400 m2 (90,000 sq ft) shopping complex was officially opened by the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 13 July 2014.[7]

The arcade also houses Sri Lanka's first ever boutique cinema, 'The Empire Cineplex', run by Ceylon Theatres.

Independence Memorial Hall (also known as Independence Commemoration Hall) is a national monument in Sri Lanka built for commemoration of the independence of Sri Lanka from the British rule with the restoration of full governing responsibility[2] to a Ceylonese-elected legislature on 4 February 1948. It is located in Independence Square (formerly Torrington Square) in the Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo. It also houses the Independence Memorial Museum.

The monument was built at the location where the formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule, with the opening of the first parliament by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurred at a special podium on 4 February 1948.

Located at the head of the monument is the statue of the first prime minister of the country Rt. Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake "The Father of the Nation". Most of the annual National Independence Day celebrations have been held here. Apart from a monument it served as the ceremonial assembly hall for the Senate of Ceylon and the House of Representatives of Ceylon until the parliament was moved to the new parliament complex. Currently it is the venue for religious events and annual national day celebrations.

Design

The formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule, with the opening of the first parliament at the special podium at the present Independence Square, Colombo.

The building was designed by a group of eight notable architects led by Tom Neville Wynne-Jones CBE,[3][4] and included F. H. Billimoria, Shirley de Alwis, Oliver Weerasinghe, Homi Billimoria, Justin Samarasekera and M. B. Morina. The design of the building is based on the Magul Maduwa (Celebration Hall), the Royal audience hall of the Kingdom of Kandy the last native kingdom of the island, where on 5 March 1815 the Kandyan Convention was signed between the British and the Kandyian Chieftains (Radalas) ending the Kingdom of Kandy.

Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque (Sinhala: කොලඹ කොටුව රතු පල්ලිය, romanized: Kolomba Kotuwa Rathu Palliya, Tamil: மஸ்ஜிதுல் ஜாமிஉல் அஃபார் அல்லது சம்மாங்கோடு பள்ளிவாசல், romanized: Sammankodu Pallivasal, (known colloquially as the Samman Kottu Palli,[1] Rathu Palliya, Red Masjid or the Red Mosque) is a historic mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is located on Second Cross Street in Pettah. The mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Colombo and a popular tourist site in the city.

History

Construction of the Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque commenced in 1908 and the building was completed in 1909.[2][3] The mosque was commissioned by the local Indian Muslim community, based in Pettah, to fulfill their required five-times-daily prayer and Jummah on Fridays. The mosque's designer and builder was Habibu Lebbe Saibu Lebbe (an unlettered architect), and was based on details/images of Indo-Saracenic structures provided by South Indian traders, who commissioned him.[1] It is a hybrid style of architecture, that draws elements from native Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture, and combines it with the Gothic revival and Neo-classical styles. Originally it had the capacity for 1,500 worshippers although at the time only around 500 were attending prayers.

It is a distinctive red and white candy-striped two-storey building, with a clock tower, and is reminiscent of the Jamek Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (constructed in 1910).[2] Before other landmarks were built, some claim that the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque was recognised as the landmark of Colombo by sailors approaching the port.

In 1975 the mosque, with the assistance of the Haji Omar Trust,[3] purchased a number of the adjoining properties and commenced building an expansion to the mosque to increase its capacity to 10,000.[

The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara or Kelaniya Temple is a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. It is located 11 km (6.8 mi) north-east of Colombo. The current chief incumbent (chief priest) is Venerable Professor Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera.

The temple has often been associated with the rise and fall of Sri Lanka, with the popular saying that as the Kelaniya temple rose, Sri Lanka rose and as it fell, the country and its administration fell. It has thus had a deep association with the political powers of the country. As such, the temple is frequently visited by politicians both government and opposition.

History

Sanghamitta, daughter of Emperor Ashoka, bringing a sapling of the right branch of the Bodhi tree to Sri Lanka. Mural at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.[2]

Bodhi tree at the temple

Buddhists believe the temple to have been hallowed during the third and final visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka, eight years after gaining enlightenment.[3] Its history would thus go back to before 500 BCE. The Mahawansa records that the original Stupa at Kelaniya enshrined a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached. The temple flourished during the Kotte era but much of its land was confiscated during the Portuguese empire. Under the Dutch empire, however, there were new gifts of land and under the patronage of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha the temple was rebuilt. It was refurbished in the first half of the 20th century with the help of Helena Wijewardene.

The Kelaniya Stupa enshrined a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached. Buddha's second visit to Nagadeepaya, Sri Lanka was in the fifth year of enlightenment to settle a dispute between two Naga Kings, Chulodara and Mahodara over the possession of a Gem Studded throne. After having listened to the Dhamma sermons by Buddha the Naga kings paid homage to Buddha with overwhelming faith and the throne was offered to Buddha by two Naga kings.

The Naga King Maniakkika- Ruler of Kelaniya who also listened to Buddha's Dharma sermons pleaded for a souvenir to worship. So the throne was gifted to him by Buddha. King Maniakkika in turn constructed a Cetiya (Stupa) covering the Gem studded Throne in Kelaniya for thousands of devotees to worship and invited Buddha to visit the holy site.

Buddha together with 500 Arahats (Supremely enlightened beings) visited Kelaniya and preached Dhamma, on Wesak Poya Day, after eighth year of enlightenment as Buddha (in 580 BC which is approx. 2600 years back). It was Buddha's third and final visit to Sri Lanka.

The temple is also famous for its image of the reclining Gautama Buddha and paintings by the native artist Solias Mendis which depict important events in the life of the Buddha, in the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, also incidents from the Jataka tales. It is the venue for the Duruthu Maha Perahera procession each January.[4] An 5.5 m (18 ft) stone statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara has been erected at the temple.

Leisure World Water Park is an amusement park which is mainly focused on water activities situated in Hanwella. A variety of activities including water activities, thrill rides, family rides and kids rides are available here. The water park is also available to host a range of events such as educational trips, personal events and corporate events. Tickets are moderately price and is well worth the pay.

Mount Lavinia Beach is a beach strip situated just outside of Colombo city, in Mount Lavinia area. There are many nice restaurants and pubs along beach. It is a great place to relax overlooking the beautiful ocean and sunset. The Mount Lavinia Hotel is located close by. The beach is quite crowded during the weekends. It is more relaxing and peaceful during the week.

Lotus Tower (Sinhala: නෙළුම් කුළුණ; Tamil: தாமரைக் கோபுரம்), also referred to as Colombo Lotus Tower, is a 351.5 m (1,153 ft) tall tower, located in Colombo, Sri Lanka.[1][2] It has been called a symbolic landmark of Sri Lanka.[3] As of 2019, the tower is the tallest self-supported structure in South Asia; the second tallest structure in South Asia after the guy-wire-supported INS Kattabomman in India; the 11th tallest tower in Asia and the 19th tallest tower in the world.[3][4] It was first proposed to be built in the suburb of Peliyagoda but later the Government of Sri Lanka decided to change the location.[5] The lotus-shaped tower is used for communication, observation and other leisure facilities. Construction is estimated to have cost US$113 million.[6]

Location

After an initial decision to construct the tower within the confines of a suburb of the country's economic capital city of Colombo, Sri Lanka's government announced their plans to shift the location to the heart of the city. Therefore, the tower's location is on the waterfront of the Beira Lake.

Construction

With the witness of the President of Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry, the Presidents of China National Electronics Import & Export Corporation (CEIEC) and Aerospace Long March International Trade Co. Ltd (ALIT) signed the contract with the Director-General of TRCSL, Anusha Palpita, for the project on 3 January 2012.[7]

The project commenced during the tenure of President Mahinda Rajapakse and the construction began on 20 January 2012 following a foundation stone-laying ceremony. The site is located on the waterfront of Beira Lake and alongside a part of the D. R. Wijewardene Mawatha.[8]

In December 2014, the tower's construction crossed the 125 m (410 ft) milestone and in July 2015, the tower reached 255 m (837 ft).

Design and function

Lotus tower and Beira Lake at night 2023

The design of this building is inspired by the Lotus flower. The lotus symbolizes purity within Sri Lankan culture and is also said to symbolize the country's flourishing development. The tower base is inspired by the lotus throne and will also be formed by two inverted trapezoidal.[3] The tower's color can be changed by to RGB lights.[9]

The tower is 350 m (1,150 ft) tall and covers 30,600 m2 (329,000 sq ft) of floor area.[10]

Lotus Tower's main revenue sources is tourism and antenna leasing. It functions as a radio and television broadcasting antenna ISDB-T and proposed DVB-T2 support structure for 50 television services, 35 FM Radio Stations and 20 telecommunication service providers,[11] and will house a variety of tourist attractions[citation needed].

The tower has four entrances, with two being used as VIP (distinguished guests and state leaders) entrances. A telecommunications museum and restaurant are located on the ground floor. The tower podium consists of 6 floors.[12] The first floor of the podium will accommodate a museum and two exhibition halls. The second floor will be utilised for several conference halls with seating space in excess of 500 people. Restaurants, supermarkets, and food courts will be situated on the third floor. A 1000-seat auditorium will be located on the fourth floor, which will also be used as a ballroom. The fifth floor will include luxury hotel rooms, large ballrooms, and the seventh floor will host an observation gallery. The landscaping is planned in the form of a large water park.[13][14][15]

Lotus Tower

Transport hub

The Colombo Monorail, which was a proposed monorail system in Colombo, and the BRT system were to converge at a common 'multi-modal hub' located in close proximity to the Lotus Tower, making the tower a major city center. The Monorail was canceled in 2016, and both, a light rail will be constructed in Malabe.

Controversy

During the opening ceremony, which was held on 16 September 2019, President Maithripala Sirisena at a ceremonial speech mentioned and claimed an allegation on a scam regarding an advance of 2 billion rupees which was given to an approved company ALIT in 2012 by the then government, was later revealed in 2016 that such a company did not exist. However, this was later proven to be false as ALIT was in fact the acronym of the Chinese state-owned Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co. ALIT denied receiving the payment claiming that the entire amount was paid to the China National Electronics Import & Export Corporation (CEIEC) as had ALIT left the project. It also noted that the TRC paid $15.6 million (2 billion rupees) into CEIEC's account in Exim Bank in October 2012, the same amount which Sirisena claims to have been "misappropriated" by ALIT.

The house in 33rd Lane is an essay in architectural bricollage. In 1958 Bawa bought the third in a row of four small houses which lay along a short cul-de-sac at the end of a narrow suburban lane and converted it into a pied-à-terre with living room, bedroom, tiny kitchen and a room. When the fourth bungalow became vacant this was colonised to serve as dining room and second living room. Ten years later the remaining bungalows were acquired and added into the composition and the first in the row was demolished to be replaced by a four-storey tower.

The Geoffrey Bawa residence is considered a special architectural marvel which also houses art and artifacts from the collection of the Late Archt. Geoffrey Bawa. Whist the Geoffrey Bawa Trust endeavours to encourage stays for those enthusiasts of Architecture and the Art, it is important to note that this residence is not run as a regular hotel.The two rooms available are within a suite on the 1st floor. They are attached and come with one common bathroom and a sitting room. The 3rd floor is a loggia and the 4th is an open viewing deck.

Number 11 is conveniently located in the heart of Colombo 3, within walking distance to grocery stores (Cargills Food City, The Gourmet Boutique), art galleries (Barefoot Gallery, Lionel Wendt Art Centre), retail stores (Barefoot, Paradise Road), bars, restaurants and cafes (Barefoot Cafe, The Gallery Cafe, Thai Cuisine Boulevard, Cricket Club, Green Cabin). Other attractions nearby include the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Sapumal Foundation, Saskia Fernando Gallery and Galle Face Green.

One Galle Face is a mixed-use complex of buildings near the Galle Face Green in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is also Sri Lanka's first internationally and developed and managed mixed use project and was officially opened on 8 November 2019.[4] The facility consists of four skyscrapers, one which will be open for businesses to set up offices, two for the residential component, and the fourth as part of a hotel. A shopping mall is also part of the project.[5] The premises in its entirety is owned by Shangri-La.[6]

The twin towers of the residential component are tied as the 4th-tallest structures in the country, at 194 m (636 ft).[7] The towers are 51 storeys each, with two-, three-, or four bedroom apartments of 161.0 m2 (1,733 sq ft), 255.0 m2 (2,745 sq ft), and 329.0 m2 (3,541 sq ft), respectively. They will also contain 16 penthouses.[8]

Shangri-La Colombo opened on 16 November 2017, as the first of the four project components to do so.[9] The hotel has 500 rooms and 41 serviced apartments.[9]

Shopping mall

Construction of the Mall, November 2017

The mall consists of 46,000 square metres (490,000 sq ft) of lettable commercial space distributed among seven floors, scheduled for a June 2019 opening.[10] It is planned to contain a multiplex (operated by PVR Cinemas), a 1,600 square metres (17,000 sq ft) food court (operated by Food Studio), a supermarket, and a planned capacity of 300 units of retail, entertainment and dining outlets.[10][11][12] Softlogic became one of the first confirmed tenants of the mall in July 2017, with Odel slated to open a multi-level department store with a floor space of 5,058.9 square metres (54,454 sq ft).[10][13][12] Keells Super will also operate a gourmet supermarket within the Mall.[12] The mall was opened to the public on 8 November 2019 by President Maithripala Sirisena which also marked his last inauguration ceremony as the President of the country.[

Port City Colombo is a brand new city development built as an extension of the Central Business District of Sri Lanka’s vibrant commercial capital, Colombo. Spanning 269 hectares of reclaimed land from the sea, Port City Colombo will be South Asia’s premiere residential, retail and business destination, offering unmatched planned city living along the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The development will comprise of 5 different precincts including the Financial District, Central Park Living, Island Living, The Marina and the International Island.

When completed, Port City Colombo will have over 5.6 million square meters of built space, boasting the best in design and standards. Its lifestyle and business offerings will include world-class facilities and spaces in Healthcare, Education, Entertainment, Hotels and Restaurants, Retail and Office with an Integrated Resort and a Marina, offering the best in living by the sea. Built on the latest sustainable city designs and smart city concepts, Port City Colombo will be the most livable city in South Asia.

The Royal Colombo Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Sri Lanka. Established in 1880, it is located in the capital city of Colombo at The Ridgeway Links also known as the Anderson Golf Course. It is home to the Sri Lanka Golf Union, the governing body of Golf in Sri Lanka and maintains links with The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in Scotland.

History

On 13 March 1880 ten founding members, led by Edward Aitken (founder of Aitken Spence), met at the Colombo Club and held the first General Meeting of the Colombo Golf Club.[1] The first Chairman and Captain was W. Law and the Committee consisted of W. Somerville, F. A. Fairlie and R. Webster. The competitive trophy of the club dates back to 1887. In 1888 the Calcutta Golf Club presented a silver medal to the club; the Calcutta Medal is a permanent challenge medal still contested at the club.

The club was maintained at Galle Face Green until June 1896, when the club was told by the Colonial Secretary that the Governor of Ceylon would give the golf club a part of the Model Farm in Borella. The land and funds for the Model Farm were provided by Sir Charles Henry de Soysa. The golf course was opened in July 1896 by Governor Joseph West Ridgeway, after whom the Ridgeway Links were named. In 1928, King George V bestowed upon the club a royal charter,[2] which enabled the club to use the prefix "Royal", and consequently the club came to be known as the Royal Colombo Golf Club. Originally membership was limited to British and European members, but in 1936 membership was extended to the Ceylonese.[1]

During World War II the clubhouse and the golf links were used by the Royal Navy code breakers of the Far East Combined Bureau and were known as "HMS Anderson"

The Saturday Good Market is a weekly market event taking place at the Nuga Tree Car Park near the Colombo Racecourse Mall in Colombo 07. It features organic products from various vendors and focuses on leading a healthy and natural way of life. One can find vendors with fresh organic fruits and vegetables, natural food and snacks, ethical fashion, toys, and housewares, non-toxic body, home and garden supplies. The event also includes live music and kids programs and provides a great atmosphere.

St. Anthony's Shrine (Sinhala: ශාන්ත අන්තෝනි සිද්ධස්ථානය, romanized: Śānta Antōni Siddhasthānaya; Tamil: புனித அந்தோனியார் திருத்தலம், romanized: Puṉita Antōṉiyār Tiruttalam) is a Roman Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Colombo in Sri Lanka. The church is located at Kochchikade, Kotahena, Colombo 13, and is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. The church is designated a national shrine[2] and minor basilica.[3] A tiny piece of St. Anthony's tongue is preserved in a special reliquary, which is located in a glass case together with a statue of the saint, at the entrance to the church.

History

St. Anthony's Shrine before the Easter bombings

The church's origins relate to the early Dutch colonial period when Catholicism was banned from the island, with Catholic priests carrying out sermons from hiding places. Fr. Antonio disguised himself as a local merchant, finding refuge with a local fishing community at Mutwal. According to local legends the community sought his help to stop the sea eroding their village, and Fr. Antonio planted a cross and prayed at the beach, resulting in the sea receding and the community converting to Catholicism. The Dutch authorities then allocated him some land to carry out his sermons, whereupon he built a mud brick chapel dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua (Sant'Antonio da Padova). Fr. Antonio is buried within the church.

In 1806, the chapel was enlarged, and in 1822 one of the members of the Congregation went to Goa and brought back a statue of St. Anthony, which still resides on one of the church's altars. Construction of a new church commenced in 1828 and it was consecrated on 1 June 1834. The church was built in the Neoclassical style.[4] In 1938 the church was improved and enlarged, with the addition of a chorister's gallery, large wings on side, and a mission house and meeting room behind the main altar. The enlarged church was consecrated on 16 February 1940.

Postal stamps worth five rupees were issued by the Sri Lankan government to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the church on 13 June 2010.[5]

2019 attack

On 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, the church was one in a series of targets of a string of suicide bomb blasts across Sri Lanka.[6] At least 93 people were killed in the blast. On 9 June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the church, and paid tribute to the victims.[7]

On 12 June 2019, the sacred historical church was renovated solely by the Sri Lanka Navy and was opened for the public for the first time since the attacks.[8][9] Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith conducted a special liturgy, remembering the Easter Sunday attack victims. He addressed what he called failures of the Sri Lankan government and its leadership during the occasion.

Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil is a Hindu temple situated in Colombo 10. The temple is built following South Indian architecture. It is a colorful and beautiful Hindu temple which is a must visit Hindu temple in Colombo. Being one of the oldest and largest Hindu temples in Colombo it is dedicated to the gods Shiva and Ganesh.

Viharamahadevi Park (Sinhala: විහාරමහාදේවී උද්‍යානය; formerly Victoria Park, Sinhala: වික්ටෝරියා පාක්) is a public park located in Cinnamon Gardens, in Colombo, situated in front of the colonial-era Town Hall in Sri Lanka. It was built by the British colonial administration and is the oldest and largest park of Colombo. The park was originally named "Victoria Park" after Queen Victoria but was renamed after Queen Viharamahadevi, the mother of King Dutugamunu on July 18, 1958.[1]

During World War II it was occupied by the British Army with Australian 17th Brigade based at Victoria Park. After the war the park was restored and open to the public in 1951.

There used to be a cricket ground in the park, which was used for first-class cricket between 1927 and 1995. Ceylon played against a touring English team there in 1927 and against an Australian team in 1935.[2]

Viharamahadevi Park

The park features include a huge Buddha statue which replaced the statue of Queen Victoria which originally stood there, and a series of water fountains. It also includes a mini zoo, a children's play area and a BAC Jet Provost.[3] There are Muscovy ducks in the park. They swim in the artificial lake and walk on the grass beside it.[4]

Viharamahadevi Park is the only large-scale public park in Colombo, and is maintained by the Colombo Municipal Council. Located at its western end is the Cenotaph War Memorial, Colombo and the Colombo Public Library. The Vihara Maha Devi Park Open Air Stadium is a venue for concerts and public events.

Water World Lanka is South Asia’s first aquarium with an underwater tunnel and the only type of such public aquarium in Sri Lanka. It also includes splendid collection of many species of birds and is the first bird park in Sri Lanka. It is situated on Biyagama Road in Kelaniya. The place includes water world, bird park and underwater tunnel.

Wolvendaal Church (Wolvendaalse Kerk) is located in Pettah, a neighbourhood of Colombo. It is one of the most important Dutch Colonial era buildings in Sri Lanka, and is one of the oldest Protestant churches still in use in the country.

History

Watercolour painting of the Dutch Reformed Church (Wolvendaal), Colombo by J. L. K. van Dort (1888)

In 1736 Governor of Ceylon, Gustaaf Willem van Imhoff, sought approval from the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC) to demolish the existing church (Kasteel Kerk) within the Colombo Fort and construct a new one on the same site.[1] However, the VOC refused this request, and it wasn't until the arrival of Governor Julius Valentyn Stein van Gollenesse in 1743 that the impasse was overcome. He decided that the new church would be erected in the area beyond the city walls, which at the time was swamp and marshland. The Europeans mistook the packs of roaming jackals for wolves, and the area became known as Wolvendaal (Wolf's Dale or Wolf's Valley).[2][3] The site that was selected was on a hill which commanded views across the town and over the harbour and was in proximity to the town's entrance. The site was also occupied by a small church, which had existed from the earliest period of Dutch occupation, when the Wolvendaal neighbourhood was a quiet suburban parish.[2]

The foundations of the church were laid in 1749 and it took eight years to build.[4] It was completed on 6 March 1757, when it was dedicated for public worship by Rev. Matthias Wirmelskircher, Rector of the Colombo Seminary.[2] At the dedication there were two Governors present, Joan Gideon Loten and his successor Jan Schreuder, together with Members of the Council, Reverend Ministers (Predikants), prominent Burghers and their families.[2]

Architecture

The church was constructed in the Doric style of the period, in the form of a Greek cross (i.e. legs of equal length), with walls nearly 1.5m (five feet) thick, constructed of unusually large kabok (clay ironstone) with coral and lime plaster.[3] The high roof in the middle of the building resembles a dome and was originally arched with brick and roofed in blue Bangor slate roof tiles[3] surmounted with a brazen lion. This lion had a crown on its head, bearing a sword in one hand and seven arrows in the other, representing the seven united provinces of the Dutch Republic. In 1856, a bolt of lightning destroyed the lion and seriously damaged the dome.[3] The roof was later replaced with an iron covering.[3] The church is capable of seating 1,000 persons.

Tombstones of reverend Henricus Philipszoon and his wife Susanna Scharff

Inside the church there is a solidly constructed State Pew (to accommodate the Dutch governor) with numerous ebony and calamander church chairs (kerkstoels), dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The baptismal font, on an ornately carved tripod stand, dates back to 1667. The pulpit is typical for a Dutch Reformed Church, where the minister stands higher than the congregation on a richly ornamented wooden structure. On the walls of the Church are many mural tablets while there are many more built into the external walls. The floor is paved with granite flagstones (purportedly brought from Holland) interdispersed with engraved tombstones, of those who lie buried within the church or whose remains were relocated from the Kasteel Kerk. Many famous names of 300 year Sri Lankan history, Dutch, Burgher, Singhalese, Tamil and English, can be found amongst the gravestones within and outside the church. There are five Dutch Governors buried at the church, including the last Governor, Johan Gerard van Angelbeek, who died in Colombo in 1799, three years after the British occupation.

From the time of its dedication through to the end of Dutch rule Wolvendaal was the principal place of worship, although Kasteel Kerk remained the main religious seat for the European and local officials of the VOC, until it was demolished in 1813.

Current use

This is an old darkwooden pulpit with red velvet curtains. On the pulpit the minister preaching stands higher than the sitting congregation.

The typically Dutch design-pulpit in the church.

The Dutch Reformed Church is currently known as the Christian Reformed Church of Sri Lanka.[5][6] The Church has several locations throughout the Colombo area. Wolvendaal Church is the only Dutch Church on the island that has been continually in use, with in 2018 services in Tamil, Sinhalese and English every Sunday.[7] A similar Dutch Reformed Church building is the Groote Kerk in Galle.

In January 2005 the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) established the Wolvendaal Foundation to preserve the church's architecture. Its ultimate aim is to further cordial relations between the various races and religions on the island.