Colombo
Sri Lanka‘s bustling commercial hub, is located on the country’s west coast and with a population of between 800,000 and one million (estimates vary) is by far the country’s biggest city, as well as the most developed. Its natural harbor at the mouth of the Kelani River was a magnet for successive traders and conquerors – initially the Arab merchants, then Portuguese, Dutch and British imperialists. The city is a jarring mix of old and new, with a central cluster of high-rise office blocks and hotels overshadowing red-tiled colonial-era buildings and sprawling street markets which overflow with high-piled fruit and vegetables, colorful silks and cottons, and deliciously fragrant spices. On its crowded streets stand places of worship, symbolic of Sri Lanka‘s multiethnic heritage: graceful Buddhist viharas (temples), for instance, stand close to extravagant temples encrusted with Hindu statuary, along with Muslim mosques with minarets scattered along Colombo’s streets. Its population is swollen by some 400,000 plus commuting workers during the day and is virtually empty after nightfall. During the day, Colombo’s colorful street markets, colonial-era buildings, museums and galleries, churches, mosques and temples, and the lovely Viharamahadevi Park with it beautiful trees, makes it a great place to explore on foot. Originally named Kolomthota, Colombo was the main seaport of Kotte, the country’s 15th and 16th century capital. Known to Arab traders as Kalamba, the city attracted the rapacious Portuguese as early as 1505 and became the bastion of their rule for almost 150 years. Surprisingly little remains to attest to this era, apart from a scattering of Portuguese surnames in the telephone directory and a handful of Roman Catholic churches and seminaries depicting their architecture. The central area of the city is still known as Fort, but the remnants of the colonial battlements have long since been demolished, or incorporated in newer buildings. There are more mementoes of the British period, including the neo-Classical old parliament building, the Victorian-era President’s House (still often called ‘Queen’s House’), and the grandly mercantile brick facade of Cargill’s, a splendid 19th-century department store that has changed little since the 19th-century heyday of Sri Lanka‘s British tea planters. Source: www.lanka.com
Sri Lanka‘s bustling commercial hub, is located on the country’s west coast and with a population of between 800,000 and one million (estimates vary) is by far the country’s biggest city, as well as the most developed. Its natural harbor at the mouth of the Kelani River was a magnet for successive traders and conquerors – initially the Arab merchants, then Portuguese, Dutch and British imperialists. The city is a jarring mix of old and new, with a central cluster of high-rise office blocks and hotels overshadowing red-tiled colonial-era buildings and sprawling street markets which overflow with high-piled fruit and vegetables, colorful silks and cottons, and deliciously fragrant spices. On its crowded streets stand places of worship, symbolic of Sri Lanka‘s multiethnic heritage: graceful Buddhist viharas (temples), for instance, stand close to extravagant temples encrusted with Hindu statuary, along with Muslim mosques with minarets scattered along Colombo’s streets. Its population is swollen by some 400,000 plus commuting workers during the day and is virtually empty after nightfall. During the day, Colombo’s colorful street markets, colonial-era buildings, museums and galleries, churches, mosques and temples, and the lovely Viharamahadevi Park with it beautiful trees, makes it a great place to explore on foot. Originally named Kolomthota, Colombo was the main seaport of Kotte, the country’s 15th and 16th century capital. Known to Arab traders as Kalamba, the city attracted the rapacious Portuguese as early as 1505 and became the bastion of their rule for almost 150 years. Surprisingly little remains to attest to this era, apart from a scattering of Portuguese surnames in the telephone directory and a handful of Roman Catholic churches and seminaries depicting their architecture. The central area of the city is still known as Fort, but the remnants of the colonial battlements have long since been demolished, or incorporated in newer buildings. There are more mementoes of the British period, including the neo-Classical old parliament building, the Victorian-era President’s House (still often called ‘Queen’s House’), and the grandly mercantile brick facade of Cargill’s, a splendid 19th-century department store that has changed little since the 19th-century heyday of Sri Lanka‘s British tea planters. Source: www.lanka.com
Independence Commemoration Hall
Located on Independence Square (formally Torrington Square) in Cinnamon Gardens, is a national monument in Sri Lanka. This was built long after independence was gained from the British rule on 1948. The structure is made of concrete, and bear columns similar to what is found in ancient Sri Lankan architecture and it was designed to resemble a Kandyan audience hall. The rows of stone lions that guard this great monument are a unique feature of this Commemoration Hall. This is also an impressive piece of art that clearly signifies the ancient architecture and the elaborated stone carvings and painting found at the memorial hall are simply breathtaking. Other than a momentum it is commonly used as a place to conduct annual national day celebrations and other significant national celebrations and cultural activities that mark national unity. source: www.colomboguide.net
Located on Independence Square (formally Torrington Square) in Cinnamon Gardens, is a national monument in Sri Lanka. This was built long after independence was gained from the British rule on 1948. The structure is made of concrete, and bear columns similar to what is found in ancient Sri Lankan architecture and it was designed to resemble a Kandyan audience hall. The rows of stone lions that guard this great monument are a unique feature of this Commemoration Hall. This is also an impressive piece of art that clearly signifies the ancient architecture and the elaborated stone carvings and painting found at the memorial hall are simply breathtaking. Other than a momentum it is commonly used as a place to conduct annual national day celebrations and other significant national celebrations and cultural activities that mark national unity. source: www.colomboguide.net
Viharamahadevi Park (Victoria park)
It is the largest, oldest and most colorful park situated in the heart of Colombo (Cinnamon Gardens), just opposite the colonial style Town Hall building. The park was built during the British rule of Sri Lanka as Victoria Park and remained as Vihara Maha Devi Park, in honor of a famous historical Sinhalese queen, mother of the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu. source: www.colomboguide.net
It is the largest, oldest and most colorful park situated in the heart of Colombo (Cinnamon Gardens), just opposite the colonial style Town Hall building. The park was built during the British rule of Sri Lanka as Victoria Park and remained as Vihara Maha Devi Park, in honor of a famous historical Sinhalese queen, mother of the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu. source: www.colomboguide.net
Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple
The 120-year-old Gangaramaya is not the typical Sri Lankan temple. Situated in the bustling inner-city Colombo, nearby the scenic Beira Lake, this intriguing temple complex is simultaneously a hugely popular tourist attraction, a place of worship and a learning and vocational training center. Rather than huge, open spaces and tranquility, expect huge collections of fascinating artifacts and crowds at Gangaramaya. The temple is mostly celebrated for its lavish architecture and statues showcasing Sri Lankan, Chinese, Thai, Burmese and many other artistic styles. The exterior of the temple is boldly decorated in elaborate designs and golden adornments. The temple grounds are black slate tiled, with various statues—Buddha, lion, nymph—and china vases placed randomly. Source: http://visitcolombo.com
The 120-year-old Gangaramaya is not the typical Sri Lankan temple. Situated in the bustling inner-city Colombo, nearby the scenic Beira Lake, this intriguing temple complex is simultaneously a hugely popular tourist attraction, a place of worship and a learning and vocational training center. Rather than huge, open spaces and tranquility, expect huge collections of fascinating artifacts and crowds at Gangaramaya. The temple is mostly celebrated for its lavish architecture and statues showcasing Sri Lankan, Chinese, Thai, Burmese and many other artistic styles. The exterior of the temple is boldly decorated in elaborate designs and golden adornments. The temple grounds are black slate tiled, with various statues—Buddha, lion, nymph—and china vases placed randomly. Source: http://visitcolombo.com
Seema Malakaya Temple
In the middle of chaotic greater Colombo, on the emerald waters of the Beira Lake, is the island temple of Seema Malaka. Starkly contrasting the nearby gaudy and tourist-hogged Gangarama temple, the Seema Malaka offers a serene and simple respite in the urban mess. The Seema Malaka is perhaps best known for its minimalist architecture designed by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most famous architect and the much celebrated “father of tropical modernism.” Originally, almost 120 years ago, the Seema Malaka formed an integral part of the Gangarama temple where Buddhist monks were ordained. But in the seventies, the Seema Malaka disintegrated and began to sink underwater. The structure was re-constructed in the late seventies and was re-designed by Bawa. The impressive project was funded by S.H. Moosajee, a local Muslim merchant, and his wife, in memory of their son, Ameer S. Moosajee. Source: http://visitcolombo.com
In the middle of chaotic greater Colombo, on the emerald waters of the Beira Lake, is the island temple of Seema Malaka. Starkly contrasting the nearby gaudy and tourist-hogged Gangarama temple, the Seema Malaka offers a serene and simple respite in the urban mess. The Seema Malaka is perhaps best known for its minimalist architecture designed by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most famous architect and the much celebrated “father of tropical modernism.” Originally, almost 120 years ago, the Seema Malaka formed an integral part of the Gangarama temple where Buddhist monks were ordained. But in the seventies, the Seema Malaka disintegrated and began to sink underwater. The structure was re-constructed in the late seventies and was re-designed by Bawa. The impressive project was funded by S.H. Moosajee, a local Muslim merchant, and his wife, in memory of their son, Ameer S. Moosajee. Source: http://visitcolombo.com
Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple
In the year 1873 a virtuous Buddhist monk, came to the Village called Etanamadala in Kalutara North and was residing in a quiet hermitage, a strip of jungle close to river Kalu Ganga. He wed to go begging for food round the Village and the people happened to assemble at the hermitage to hear his sermons. A devout religious donor who was quite wealthy happened to listen to their sermons and so became a dedicated benefactor. He arrange a small hall built in the same land as the temple exist today and donated to the monk to conduct his sermons. The hall was then called ‘Katti-paha’. Since then the monk conducted most of his Buddhist sermons inside the hall and naturally the popularity of his sermons attracted the Buddhist devotees in large numbers. With the donations of the growing number of devotees the sermon hall was enlarged and this spot came to be known as ‘Dharma Salava’, the preaching hall as we know it today. Later, resident of Etanamadala Village caused to build a small Shrine room for the devotees to do offerings. They also built another preaching hall while the former hall was enlarged adding ten rooms for the residential monks. In the center of this large building is the Relic chamber around which there are small halls and the drawing room. He then started building a Mansion for the Buddha which is the present Shrine house. The ‘Vihara Mandira’ with all its splendout. The stone inscription fixed on to the front wall of the shrine says that this Temple Asokarama is offered to the Monks by the devotee Elliyas Fernando in the year 2411 Buddhist era, that is 1867AD, in the midst of the Maha Sangha the retinue of Monks headed by Ven. Siri Dhammarama Thera of Matara. Source: www.srisalike.com
In the year 1873 a virtuous Buddhist monk, came to the Village called Etanamadala in Kalutara North and was residing in a quiet hermitage, a strip of jungle close to river Kalu Ganga. He wed to go begging for food round the Village and the people happened to assemble at the hermitage to hear his sermons. A devout religious donor who was quite wealthy happened to listen to their sermons and so became a dedicated benefactor. He arrange a small hall built in the same land as the temple exist today and donated to the monk to conduct his sermons. The hall was then called ‘Katti-paha’. Since then the monk conducted most of his Buddhist sermons inside the hall and naturally the popularity of his sermons attracted the Buddhist devotees in large numbers. With the donations of the growing number of devotees the sermon hall was enlarged and this spot came to be known as ‘Dharma Salava’, the preaching hall as we know it today. Later, resident of Etanamadala Village caused to build a small Shrine room for the devotees to do offerings. They also built another preaching hall while the former hall was enlarged adding ten rooms for the residential monks. In the center of this large building is the Relic chamber around which there are small halls and the drawing room. He then started building a Mansion for the Buddha which is the present Shrine house. The ‘Vihara Mandira’ with all its splendout. The stone inscription fixed on to the front wall of the shrine says that this Temple Asokarama is offered to the Monks by the devotee Elliyas Fernando in the year 2411 Buddhist era, that is 1867AD, in the midst of the Maha Sangha the retinue of Monks headed by Ven. Siri Dhammarama Thera of Matara. Source: www.srisalike.com
National Museum Sri Lanka
It is an Italian architecture colonial type mansion which was founded by the British governor of Ceylon at that time. This treasure house is the Sri Lanka’s most prestigious, oldest and largest museum. The museum is known to be the first public museum in Sri Lanka and has a vast collection of Antiques and many other artifacts from all over the countryside. When the national museum was first opened to the public in 1st January 1877, it had a mere 800 items on display. Today that number has grown to over 100,000. The Museum also maintains a library that has a vast collection of rare historical books and chronicles for history lovers. It is actively involved in conducting research in pre history ethnology, anthropology, culture and the crafts. It also conducts lectures and seminars periodically. source: www.colomboguide.net
It is an Italian architecture colonial type mansion which was founded by the British governor of Ceylon at that time. This treasure house is the Sri Lanka’s most prestigious, oldest and largest museum. The museum is known to be the first public museum in Sri Lanka and has a vast collection of Antiques and many other artifacts from all over the countryside. When the national museum was first opened to the public in 1st January 1877, it had a mere 800 items on display. Today that number has grown to over 100,000. The Museum also maintains a library that has a vast collection of rare historical books and chronicles for history lovers. It is actively involved in conducting research in pre history ethnology, anthropology, culture and the crafts. It also conducts lectures and seminars periodically. source: www.colomboguide.net
National Museum of Natural History
Even though there is considerable number of museums in Sri Lanka, this is the only one representing solely the Natural Heritage. The special feature is that plants and Animal specimens which are endemic to Sri Lanka, rare and threatened with extinction are displayed in this museum. There is a large collection of specimens such as Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Insects, Fish, Amphibians of various kinds of Plants and Geological Rocks. Leopard of Punani can be introduced as a special specimens displayed in the Natural science Museum. This leopard which was caught at Punani in Batticaloa District on 16 th August 1924 had killed about 13 people. The Skull of Megacerus giganteus (elk) which huge horns which is displayed at the Geological section of the museum is a specimens that creates curiosity among the visitors. This skull which belonged to an extinct species of stag was gifted by Lord Eniskilen in 1950. Source: www.museum.gov.lk
Even though there is considerable number of museums in Sri Lanka, this is the only one representing solely the Natural Heritage. The special feature is that plants and Animal specimens which are endemic to Sri Lanka, rare and threatened with extinction are displayed in this museum. There is a large collection of specimens such as Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Insects, Fish, Amphibians of various kinds of Plants and Geological Rocks. Leopard of Punani can be introduced as a special specimens displayed in the Natural science Museum. This leopard which was caught at Punani in Batticaloa District on 16 th August 1924 had killed about 13 people. The Skull of Megacerus giganteus (elk) which huge horns which is displayed at the Geological section of the museum is a specimens that creates curiosity among the visitors. This skull which belonged to an extinct species of stag was gifted by Lord Eniskilen in 1950. Source: www.museum.gov.lk