Colombo Hotels

Hotels in Colombo are often useful for tourists who require short term accommodation. Some may want to stay at large or small hotels in the city. Some may want to stay at well known hotels in the city. Some may want access to hotels that are well known. Some may want to stay at large or small hotels. Some may want to stay at cheap or luxury hotels in the city. Some may want to stay at old or new hotels in the city.

Hotels in Colombo are often required for people who want to visit the city. Some may want to stay at well known hotels that have access to scenery. Hotels in Colombo are often needed by tourists who need a place to stay.

Colombo is the largest city and former administrative capital of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the present administrative capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins. The Colombo Metropolitan Region, defined by the districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara.

The name Colombo, first introduced by the Portuguese in 1505, is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhalese name Kolon thota, meaning port on the river Kelani. It has also been suggested that the name may be derived from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means Harbour with leafy mango trees.

Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. However it was only made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, and its status as capital was retained when the nation became independent in 1948. In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

Like many cities, Colombo's urban area extends well beyond the boundaries of a single local authority, encompassing other Municipal and Urban Councils. The main city is home to a majority of the Sri Lanka's corporate offices, restaurants and entertainment venues. Famous landmarks in Colombo include the Galle Face Green, the Viharamahadevi Park as well as the National Museum.

Colombo's geography is a mix of land and water. The city has many canals and, in the heart of the city, the 65-hectare ( Beira Lake. The lake is one of the most distinctive landmarks of Colombo, and was used for centuries by colonists to defend the city. It remains a popular attraction, hosting regattas, and theatrical events on its shores. The Northern and North-Eastern border of the city of Colombo is formed by the Kelani River, which meets the sea in a part of the city known as the Modera (mo-dara in Sinhala) which means river delta.

The Viharamahadevi Park is a public park located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is situated exactly in front the beautiful colonial style Town Hall building. The park is named after the mother of famous king Dutugamunu. The park was built during British rule of Sri Lanka, named as the Victoria Park after Queen Victoria and it is still referred to as the Victoria Park amongst some of the city's dwellers. The park features include a huge Buddha statue and a series of water fountains. It also includes a mini zoo, and a children's play area.

Colombo was the capital of the coastal areas controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British from the 1700s to the 1815 when the British gained control of the entire island following the Kandian convention.

The two World Trade Center towers use to be the most recognized landmarks of the city. Before these towers were completed in 1997, the adjacent Bank of Ceylon tower was the tallest structure and the most prominent landmark of the city. Before the skyscrapers were built it was the Old Parliament Building that stood majestically in the Fort district with the Old Colombo Lighthouse situated close to it. Another important landmark of the city is the Independence Hall at Independence Square in Cinnamon gardens.

Colombo has wildly varying architecture that span centuries and depict various styles. Many colonial buildings influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch and British exist alongside structures built in Buddhist, Hindu , Islamic, Indian and Contemporary architectural styles. No other place is this more evident in the heart of the city the Fort area. Here one may find new towering skyscrapers as well as historic buildings dating far back as the 1700s.

Colombo Fort

The Portuguese were the first colonist to settle in Colombo, establishing a small trading post they had laid the foundations for a small fort which in time became the largest colonial fort in the island. The Dutch expanded the fort thus creating a well old fortified harbour. This came in to the possession of the British in the late 1700s and by the late 19th century the seeing no threat to the Colombo harbor, began demolishing the ramparts to make way for the development of the city. Although now there is nothing left of the fortifications the area which was once the fort is still refereed to as Fort and the area out side the fort; Pettah or pita-koutuwa in Sinhalese which means outer fort.

There are none of the buildings of the Portuguese era and only a few from the Dutch times. These include the oldest building in the fort area, the Dutch Hospital; the Dutch House which is now the Colombo Dutch Museum and several churches. The President's House (formal the Queen's House) add original been the Dutch governors house and successive British Governors made it their office and residence, however it has under gone much change since the Dutch period. Adjoining the President's House is the Gordon Gardens, now off-limits to the public.

Much of the old buildings of the fort area and in other parts of the city date back to the British times, these include governmental, commercial buildings and private houses. Some of the notable government building of British colonial architecture includes; the old Parliament building which is now the Presidential Secretariat, the Republic Building which houses the Ministry of Foreign affairs, but once housed the Ceylon Legislative council, the Treasury building, the old General Post Office an Edwardian style building opposite the President's House, the Prime Minister's Office, the Mathematics department of the University of Colombo (formally the Royal College, Colombo). Notable commercial buildings of the British era include, the Galle Face Hotel, Cargills & Millers complex, Grand Oriental Hotel. Several old clubs of the city gives a glimpse of the British equestrian life style, these include the Orient Club, the 80's Club, the Colombo Cricket Club.

Colombo's most beautiful festival is the celebration of Lord Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment and Death all falling on the same day. In Sinhala this is known as Vesak. During this festival, much of the city is decorated with lanterns, lights and special displays of light(known as Thoran).

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