October 2021

Colombo Beira Lake

The Beira Lake is one of the well-known landmarks situated in the heart of Colombo having a history of over 500 years from the 16th Century during the invasion of the Portuguese to then Ceylon. For one who looks forward for a waver from the concrete jungle, this tranquil lake is a place of respite.

The Beira Lake inherited from the Portuguese during the Colonial Era of the Portuguese, still remains in the heart of Colombo bordered by the skyscrapers, government buildings, warehouses, Conventional centres and business tycoons of the city. It is said that the name Beira in Portuguese means “Bank or Edge of the Lake”.

A short History

The lake was initially constructed by the Portuguese as a moat for protection against the forces of the then kings who tried to drive the Portuguese invasion away but failed to do so. Thereafter the Dutch built their strong point in the port strengthening their defences within followed by the British who then cleansed the lake of all its perils such as crocodiles to utilise it for recreational purposes such as rowing and Yachting. The lake also became a means of transportation due to its well-connected network to other cities.

Lake of the Modern Era

To this day, many schools practice their sports such as rowing on the Lake. With a maximum length of 1.5 Km, the lake is home to Colombo Rowing Club for over 140 years.

Needless to mention, the spectacular view of the high-rise buildings portrayed at the horizon and the railroad passing above connecting canals, the location is a package that includes adventure, picnics, religious harmony, romance, peace of mind, workouts and for those who wish for some “Me time” the tranquillity of the lake will divert your attention away from the stress and buzz of the city.

You may also be able to witness photography of marriage couples by the lake either in the Seema Malakaya temple or close to the Gangarama temple. The bride will be dressed in the traditional Osariya whilst the groom in the Nilame Costume.   

The lake is home to some very mysterious birds such as Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Painted Storks, ducks, the abundantly nestled big spot-billed Pelicans and many more. Therefore, you do not have to head deep into the wilderness to watch beautiful birds but cherish the beauty of the lake being an audience to its kaleidoscopic mortal ornamental.

Things to do

Some of the noteworthy attractions in and around this lake are:

  • Seema Malakaya Meditation Centre
  • Gangaramaya Temple floating atop the waters
  • 8˚ on the Lake- A massive floating luxury eatery by Cinnamon Lakeside
  • Suspension Bridge to the Garden Island
  • Lovers’ Island- A small garden island in the middle of the lake connected by the suspension bridge
  • Eateries
  • Shopping bazars and boutiques
  • Jogging track
  • Boat/Swan Rides
  • Dutch Museum
  • Lotus Tower

Either if you have just landed in Sri Lanka or are about to bid farewell to this pearl, this place a ideal for a warmup ahead of your journey within the country or a warm down to wrap-up all those nostalgic memories that have been engraved for life.

Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to the lake although the prices of the rides and activities will depend. The lake is open from 7am until 6pm to the public.

To know more about places to visit in Colombo, Click Here to check out our post.

How to reach

From the Airport, the lake is about an hour’s journey for 35Km away and besides if one is to stay in Colombo itself especially due to luxurious hotels around the place, the access to this lake is much easier and may be at walking distance.

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Beira Lake- Tranquillity Nestled in Colombo Read More »

Colombo Lotus Tower

Visible from most places around Colombo is the high rise and the tallest skyscraper- The Lotus Tower. In Sinhala, it is known as “Nelum Kuluna” “නෙලුම් කුලුන” as it translates to the English name. The tower stands at a height of 350 meters / 1,150 feet occupying the place of the 11th tallest tower in Asia and the 19th tallest tower in the world. The tower was build with the intention of Television and Radio Transmission hence improving the service with the least environmental impact and Carbon Footprints. 

If you are in Colombo, this place is a big yes and a must visit. The tower should not be mistaken to be just a Signal transmission tower, but also houses banquet halls, shopping malls, hotels and restaurants, auditoriums and much more. The main catch is the revolving restaurant at the top which provides a scenic view of Colombo whilst rotations 360 degrees in an hour and a half.

Structure

The Tower in the shape of a Lotus Flower has a green stalk which is the tower and the bud of the flower at the top with its pink and yellow shaded petals. The Lotus signifies the purity of culture and development within the country. The base of the lotus tower is entrance of the tower which holds 9 floors taking the shape of two lopsided trapezoids. The Tower house is where most of the fun things to do are above which is the antennas for the broadcasting purposes. 

Things to do

Some of the thing you can expect to enjoy here are:

  • Revolving Restaurant
  • Shopping complex and mall
  • Observation Deck
  • Lotus suite
  • Theatres  and auditoriums
  • Telecommunications museum
  • Other recreational centres, restaurants and leisure activities

The tower is open through out the year and can be enjoyed at anytime. Hence make sure to make it part of the bucket list while in Colombo.

Since the Lotus tower is open though out  the year 24 / 7 / 365 days of the year for the tourists you can enjoy it at anytime. On special religious festivals such as Thai Pongal, Diwali, Christmas , Sinhala Tamil New year,  Eid and also the new years eve the tower is decorated signifying these celebrations. So with out further ado, grab your cameras and head to the tower to enjoy the spectrum of Colombo.

Entrance fee

The entrance fee will amount to USD 20 for foreigners.

To know more about places to visit in Colombo, Click Here to check out our post.

How to Reach

The tower is about 32 Km from the Bandaranaike International Airport and can take an hour to reach during busy times. 

If you are stationed in Colombo, you can by ride on an omnibus and for a quick ride, hire a cab for its much convenient.

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Colombo Lotus Tower/ Nelum Kuluna Read More »

Overview

For an enthusiast of History, the Colombo National Museum is the perfect place to start off from. Located about an hour from the Airport, In the heart of Colombo 7, lies this magnificent Italian Architectural Structure. The museum is known to be the largest in the country being home to over 100,000 exhibits within its thick walls.

Landscape and artefacts

Housed in a two-storied building, the museum has a vast land scape of a lush green lawn shaded by towering banyan trees, which adds to the beauty of the place. To welcome you into the museum, a fourth-century Buddha Statue is placed at the entrance lobby.

The captivating walk within will drive you through the history of Ceylon encountering  different types of art, carvings, swords, guns and other paraphernalia from the colonial period. You will also find 19th-century reproductions of English paintings of Sri Lanka and a collection of antique demon masks staring down at you. One of its most prominent exhibitions showcases the throne of Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king to rule over Sri Lanka from a monarchy that lasted for over 2300 years.

The museum is managed by the Department of National Museum, a ministerial department under the decree of the Sri Lankan government for its running and maintenance.

History of National Museum Colombo

The building housing all of these artefacts itself holds a historic value that dates back to the 19th century. The construction of the museum was carried out by Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar  who was descended from the Sheikh Fareed family who arrived in Ceylon in 1060AD). Being a Renowned Architect and a Mason of British Ceylon, his infamous architectural and building skills are portrayed by several prominent structures that still stand to this day such as General Post Office in Colombo, the Clock Tower, Victoria Arcade, Colombo Customs, Old Town Hall in Pettah, Zahira College building and many more. In January 1877, the Colombo Museum was declared open to the public by Governor Gregory.

Entrance fees

An entrance fee of Rs 1000 is charged for adults and Rs 500 kids.

To know more about places to visit in Colombo, Click Here to check out our post.

How to Reach

 

From the Airport, the museum is just 30Km away and would take an hour to the max to reach. The Museum opens at 9am until 5pm except of Public Holidays and Fridays.

COLOMBO NATIONAL MUSEUM Read More »

Month: October 2021

Colombo

Setting Foot in to Sri Lanka, the first place to experience is the Bandaranayake International Airport located in the Colombo District. Colombo is the commercial Capital of the beautiful Island where most of the Hustle and Bustle takes place. 

Although the city is a commercial hub, there still lies a side of history, beaches, traditional escapes, religious sites modern structures and last but not least, the Food galas and street treats. Some of the interesting places to enjoy whilst in Colombo will be the Galle Face Beach, Lotus Tower, National Museum of Sri Lanka, Old Dutch Hospital, Red Mosque, Gangaramaya Temple, Seema Malakaya 

COLOMBO NATIONAL MUSEUM

For an enthusiast of History, the Colombo National Museum is the perfect place to start off from. Located about an hour from the Airport, In the heart of Colombo 7, lies this magnificent Italian Architectural Structure. The museum is known to be the largest in the country being home to over 100,000 exhibits within its thick walls.

The captivating walk within will drive you through the history of Ceylon encountering  different types of art, carvings, swords, guns and other paraphernalia from the colonial period. You will also find 19th-century reproductions of English paintings of Sri Lanka and a collection of antique demon masks staring down at you.

The museum is managed by the Department of National Museum, a ministerial department created by the Sri Lankan government specifically for its maintenance.

 

Colombo Lotus Tower/ Nelum Kuluna

Visible from most places around Colombo is the high rise and the tallest skyscraper- The Lotus Tower. In Sinhala, it is known as “Nelum Kuluna” as it translates to the English name. The tower stands at a height of 350 meters / 1,150 feet occupying the place of the 11th tallest tower in Asia and the 19th tallest tower in the world. The tower was build with the intention of Television and Radio Transmission hence improving the service with the least environmental impact and Carbon Footprints. 

If you are in Colombo, this place is a big yes and a must visit. The tower should not be mistaken to be just a Signal transmission tower, but also houses banquet halls, shopping malls, hotels and restaurants, auditoriums and much more. The main catch is the revolving restaurant at the top which provides a scenic view of Colombo whilst rotations 360 degrees in an hour and a half.

The tower is open through out the year and can be enjoyed at anytime. Hence make sure to make it part of the bucket list while in Colombo. During festive seasons make sure to check out the decorations inside and out with a cultural aura to mesmerise your eyes.

BEIRA LAKE

The Beira Lake is one of the well-known landmarks situated in the heart of Colombo having a history of over 500 years from the 16th Century during the invasion of the Portuguese to then Ceylon. For one who looks forward for a waver from the concrete jungle, this tranquil lake is a place of respite.

The Beira Lake inherited from the Portuguese during the Colonial Era of the Portuguese, still remains in the heart of Colombo bordered by the skyscrapers, government buildings, warehouses, Conventional centres and business tycoons of the city. It is said that the name Beira in Portuguese means “Bank or Edge of the Lake”.

Either if you have just landed in Sri Lanka or are about to bid farewell to this pearl, this place a ideal for a warmup ahead of your journey within the country or a warm down to wrap-up all those nostalgic memories that have been engraved for life.

GALLE FACE GREEN

Galle Face Green is a strip of beach along the Indian ocean in central Colombo stretching to approximately half a Kilometre. During the invasion of the Dutch, this strip was utilised as a strategic line for Cannon fire against the Portuguese. After the British colonised Ceylon, in 1859, Sir Henry George Ward, it was originally developed by the Dutch as a strategic line of cannon fire against the invading Portuguese, and stretched over a much larger area than what it is today. In 1859, Governor; Sir Henry George Ward constructed a promenade alongside the seashore to allow women and children to saunter and play within.

At present, Galle Face Green is currently maintained by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) of Sri Lanka. The beach is a spectacle to view the sunset along this beautiful coast. Most of the time, this promenade is crowded by the locals who consider the beach a place to relax. The countless street food joints provide a wide array of food and is famous for the prawn fried wada, crabs, pineapple & mango pickled, fish BBQs, bread, fried meat and so much more to enrich your taste buds. 

As for the current developments, the Port city at the end of the strip is an extension of the land to the sea by the Government to host a business city with several other amenities. Especially during the windy seasons, this place is a go to location for kite lovers and has also hosted several events as well. On the opposite side of the coast, one would find the luxurious hotels such as Taj Samudra and Shangri-La facing the promenade. Anyone who visits this place will never be disappointed and will be a refreshing way to end a long day.

Viharamadevi Park

The Park formally known as Victoria Park, is said to be the oldest and largest park situated in Colombo being reason for the lush greenery amidst a concrete jungle. The part is situated in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 7 once known for the lush spices and cinnamon during the colonial times however now the name remains as the only evidence of such spices in the area.

The park dates back to 1866 during the British Colonial times when the park was created  as a place for recreational activities for residents of Colombo named after HRH Queen Victoria as Victoria Gardens. The park was also used as a ground for Cricket Tournaments  after which during the World war II, it proudly hosted the 17 brigade of the British and the Australian army.

The park is lit on pathways with street lights at every corner too and fountain lights to add to the beauty during nights.  Since the park is open 24/7 from all corners and has a stunning view of the sites around, if one is to avoid the blazing heat of the sun, the night retreat will reward you with a pleasant surprise too.

Independence Square

The Independence Square formally known as Torrington Square located in Cinnamon Gardens is home to Several national monuments. The place is calm and tranquil for relaxation with a huge lawn with path ways for those dawn and dusk jogging enthusiasts. Along side one can witness other structures of historic precedence such as the Independence Memorial Hall, Independence Memorial Museum, The Arcade, and so much more.

Independence Memorial Hall

In commemoration of the independence from the British and handing over and reinstatement of the Ceylonese government on 4th Feb 1948, the Independence Memorial also known as the Independence Commemoration Hall as the name depicts was built marking this historic event where it took place.

The opening of the 1st parliament by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurred during this ceremony bringing new life and hope to the people of Ceylon as it was known at the time.

At present the monument hold the statue of Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake also known as the Father of the Nation. Currently, the site is employed for religious and cultural events, independence / national day celebrations and other special occasions as well. The site also at times can be seen used for wedding photoshoots to add to the extra spice of the marriage.

To know more about Independence Memorial Hall Click Here

Arcade- Independence Square

The Arcade – Independence Square is a spectrum of historic colonial era buildings given the touch of the modern refurbishments to preserve the past by the touch of the present. The structure is a manifestation of its kind that portrays its serenity through its while walls and green pastures during the day and flamboyance during the nights due to the striking illuminations.

Having a history of being an Asylum for Lunatics during the reign of the British, the building there after has been  used for several other purposes such as Public Administration Department, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), the Auditor General’s Department and later the Government Analyst’s Department. Thereafter, the building was neglected bringing it to a standstill eerie asylum mansion. However, in 2014, the building was refurbished and given its present looks that currently attract multitude of the populace just to witness this attraction especially at nights.

The Arcade – Independence Square without doubt is a splendid place in an immaculate location at the heart of Colombo, uniquely designed for getaways, entertainment, shopping, leisure, dining, all-in-one place. The portfolio of world-famous brands at the Arcade is a crowd puller along with its reminiscence of the old architecture. Be it day or night, the arcade has tonnes to offer to keep your body and soul occupied and mesmerised.

To know more about The Arcade Click Here

Independence Memorial Museum

Located at the basement of the Independence Memorial Hall, Independence Square (formally Torrington Square) in the Cinnamon Gardens, one will be astonished to discover a museum at the basement.

Although the place is not famous and can be said to be mysterious hidden so that one hardly notices it, this museum with an ambience that does not attract many has a lot to offer in terms of knowledge. For those with a knack for history and politics, the museum has volumes to offer.

To know more about Independence Memorial Museum Click Here

Gangaramaya Temple

Located on the banks the infamous Beira Lake lies the century old Gangarama temple in the heart of Colombo. The Temple has a history that dates back to more than a century built during the reign of the British Colony. It was built by the by Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka in 1885 and is currently an religious, educational and museum complex.

Its architecture resonates to that of the culture of Indonesia, China, Burma and Thailand. That being said the temple is a striking replica of Borobudur temple in Indonesia. Another special event of the temple that draws many tourists as well as locals is the traditional Nawam Perahera with its grandeur festive pageant illuminating the nights with the colours of light, fire and the traditional music.   

The temple itself is a calm and serene destination open to any as long as one is dressed respectively and respects its sanctity. The place is full of surprises so feel free to explore and do not hesitate to speak to the locals to know about the culture of the country and the historic significance of the place and items. 

Welcome to Colombo- Things to do; and Places to Visit Read More »

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