Colombo
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  Colombo |
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| Coordinates: {{#invoke:Coordinates|coord}}{{#coordinates:6|54|0|N|79|50|0|E|type:city | |||
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| District | Colombo District | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Uvais Mohamed Imitiyas (Independent) | ||
| - Deputy Mayor | S. Rajendran (Independent Group) | ||
| Area | |||
| - City | 37.31 km² (14.4 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2001[1]) | |||
| - City | 642,163 | ||
| - Density | 17,211/km² (44,576.3/sq mi) | ||
| - Metro | 2,234,000 | ||
| Time zone | Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | Summer time (UTC+6) | ||
| Website: www.cmc.lk | |||
Colombo (Sinhala: 
, pronounced [ˈkoləmbə]; Tamil: கொழும்பு) is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the administrative capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins.
Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2000 years ago. However it was only made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815,[2] 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.
The main city is home to a majority of the Sri Lanka's corporate offices, restaurants and entertainment venues.[3] Famous landmarks in Colombo include the Galle Face Green, the Viharamahadevi Park as well as the National Museum.
Geography
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".[4] It has also been suggested that the name may be derived from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means "Harbor with leafy mango trees".[3][5]
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.[6] The lake is one of the most distinctive landmarks of Colombo, and was used for centuries by colonists to defend the city.[6] It remains a popular attraction, hosting regattas,[7] 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 (mōdara in Sinhala) which means river delta.
Colombo’s climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year. From March to April the temperature averages around 88°F (31°C) maximum. Colombo sees little relative diurnal range of temperature, although this is more marked in the drier winter months, where minimum temperatures average 72°F (22°C). The only change occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August, and October to January, when heavy rains can be expected. Mean annual precipitation is 94 inches (2400mm).
Environmental issues include coastal degradation from increased pollution, freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff, inadequate waste disposal, and air pollution.
The fort, the fortifications of which are long gone, and the area outside the fort, the Pettah, are the oldest districts. The fort is the the city's nerve center of government and commercial activity. The Pettah has small shops, markets, and sidewalk stalls. Main St consists mostly of clothes shops while each of the cross streets, specializes in a specific business, such as[electronics]]s, cellular phones, and fancy goods. The mile-long Sea St is Sri Lanka's gold market, and is full of jewellery shops. Cinnamon Gardens, south of Beira Lake, was where the Dutch grew cinnamon.
History
Paleolithic human settlements have been discovered at excavations in several cave sites in the Western Plains region and the South-western face of the Central Hills region. As Colombo possesses a natural harbour, it was known to Romans, Arabs, and Chinese traders over 2,000 years ago. Traveller Ibn Batuta who visited the island in the 14th century, referred to it as Kalanpu.[8] Arabian Muslims whose prime interests were trade, began to settle in Colombo around the 8th century CE mostly because the port helped their business and controlled much of the trade between the Sinhalese kingdoms and the outside world. They now comprise the local Sri Lankan Moor community. [2][9]
The Portuguese era
Portuguese explorers led by Dom Lourenço de Almeida first arrived in Sri Lanka in 1505. During their initial visit they made a treaty with the King of Kotte Parakramabahu VIII (1484-1508) enabling them to trade in the islands' crop of cinnamon, which lay along the coastal areas of the island, including in Colombo.[10] As part of the treaty, the Portuguese were given full authority over the coast line in exchange for the promise of guarding the coast against invaders. They were also allowed to establish a trading post in Colombo.[10] Within a short time, however, they then expelled the Muslim inhabitants of Colombo and began to build a fort there in 1517.
To control Sri Lanka to protection of their coastal establishments in India, the Portuguese began to exploit rivalries within the royal family of the Kotte Kingdom, and took control of a large area of the kingdom. The Sinhalese King Mayadunne established a new kingdom at Sitawaka, a domain in the Kotte kingdom.[10] Before long he forced the Portuguese to retreat to Colombo, which was repeatedly besieged by Mayadunne and the later Kings of Sitawaka, forcing them to seek reinforcement from their major base in Goa, India. The kingdom fell in 1593, and the Portuguese were able to establish complete control over the entire coastal area, with Colombo as their capital.[10][11]
The Dutch era
In 1638, the Dutch signed a treaty with King Rajasinha II of Kandy to help in his war against the Portuguese in exchange for a monopoly of the island's trade. The Portuguese resisted the Dutch and the Kandyans, but were gradually defeated in their strongholds beginning in 1639.[12] The Dutch captured Colombo in 1656 after an epic siege, at the end of which a mere 93 Portuguese survivors were given safe conduct out of the fort. Although the Dutch initially restored the captured area back to the Sinhalese Kings, they later refused to turn them over and gained control over the island's richest cinnamon lands including Colombo which then served as the capital of the Dutch maritime provinces under the control of the Dutch East India Company until 1796.[12][13]
The British era
Although the British captured Colombo in 1796, it remained a British military outpost until the Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to them in 1815 and they made Colombo the capital of their newly created crown colony of Ceylon. Unlike the Portuguese and Dutch before them, whose primary use of Colombo was as a military fort, the British began constructing houses and other civilian structures around the fort, giving rise to the City of Colombo.[2]
Initially, they placed the administration of the city under a "collector", and John Macdowell of the Madras Service was the first to hold the office. Then, in 1833, the Government Agent of the Western Province was charged with the administration of the city. Centuries of colonial rule had meant a decline of indigenous administration of Colombo, and in 1865 the British conceived a Municipal Council as a means of training the local population in self-governance. The Legislative Council of Ceylon constituted the Colombo Municipal Council in 1865 and the Council met for the first time on the January 16, 1866. At the time, the population of the region was around 80,000.[2]
The British were responsible for much of the planning of the present city. In some parts of the city tram car tracks and granite flooring laid during the era remain visible.[14][15]
Independence
The colonial era ended peacefully in 1948 when Ceylon gained independence from Britain.[16] The colonial era changed laws, customs, clothing styles, religions and proper names,[16] and strengthened the island's economy. Historically, Colombo referred to the area around the Fort and Pettah Market which is famous for the variety of products available as well as the Khan Clock Tower, a local landmark. At present, it refers to the city limits of the Colombo Municipal Council. More often, the name is used for the Conurbation known as Greater Colombo, which encompasses several Municipal councils including Kotte, Dehiwela and Colombo.
Although Colombo lost its status as the capital of Sri Lanka in the 1980s, it continues to be the island's commercial centre. Despite the official capital of Sri Lanka moving to the adjacent Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte, most countries still maintain their diplomatic missions in Colombo.[17]
Government
Sri Lanka is described as a democratic socialist republic in which the president, who is both the chief of state and head of government, is elected by popular vote for a six-year term. The cabinet is appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister. The unicameral parliament consists of 225 members elected by popular vote on the basis of an open-list, proportional representation system by electoral district to serve six-year terms. For administrative purposes, the nation is divided into eight provinces.
The Colombo Metropolitan Region (CMR) encompasses the country's administrative capital Kotte and Colombo, which has a mayor-council form of government with elections held once in five years. The city government provides sewer, road management and waste management services, in case of water, electricity and telephone utility services the council liaises with the water supply and drainage board, the Ceylon electricity board and telephone service providers.
The Sri Lanka Police, the main law enforcement agency of the island, liaise with the municipal council, but is under the control of the Ministry of Defence of the central government. Policing in Colombo and its suburbs falls within the Metropolitan Range headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Metropolitan), this also includes the Colombo Crime Division.
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. Since then till the 1980s the national capital of the island was Colombo. During the 1980s plans were made to move the administrative capital to Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte and thus move all governmental institutions out of Colombo to make way for commercial activities. As a primary setp the Parliament was moved to a new complex in Kotte and several ministries and departments were also moved. However the move was never completed. Today many, governmental institutions still remain in Colombo.
Economy
The Sri Lanka government abandoned statist economic policies and its import substitution trade policy, in 1977, for more market-oriented policies, export-oriented trade, and encouragement of foreign investment. Recent changes in government, however, have brought some policy reversals. Currently, the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party has a more statist economic approach, which seeks to reduce poverty by steering investment to disadvantaged areas, developing small and medium enterprises, promoting agriculture, and expanding the already enormous civil service.
Sri Lanka's most dynamic sectors now are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, port construction, telecommunications, and insurance and banking.
Colombo is the commercial centre of Sri Lanka. The head offices of banks, the state monopoly Insurance Corporation, brokerage houses, and government corporations are located there.
High land prices have contributed to a building boom of high rise condominiums. South Asia's second tallest building, the 40-story Twin Tower World Trade Center is situated in the Fort district.
Almost all major media businesses in Sri Lanka operate from Colombo. Sri Lanka per capita GDP was estimated at $US4100 in 2007.
Colombo's manufacturing focuses on processing of raw materials for export. Industries include chemicals, textiles, glass, cement, leather goods, furniture, and jewelry.
Colombo has an extensive public transport system based on buses. The Central Bus Stand and Fort Railway Station functions as the island's primary hub for bus and rail transport respectively. Up until the 1970s the city had a trams service, which was discontinued. Other means of transport includes auto rickshaws (commonly called "three wheelers") and taxicabs. Construction of the Colombo Metro Rail, a Mass Rapid Transit railway system, similar to that of other advanced Asian cities, had begun by 2008.
Bandaranaike International Airport serves the city for all International flights while the Ratmalana Airport serves all local flights.
The Colombo port, which dates back to the 14th century, was expanded after 1948 with the construction of the Queen Elizabeth Quay together with the completion of 16 alongside berths, transit sheds, and warehouses. It was modernized in the 1980s, with cranes, gantries, and other container terminal equipment, and the access channel was deepened in the 1990s. The port of Colombo was rated as one of the top 35 ports in the world by 2008.
Demographics
Colombo is the most populated city in Sri Lanka, with 642,163 people living within the city limits.
Colombo is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural city. The population of Colombo is a mix of numerous ethnic groups, mainly Sinhalese 41.36 percent, Moors 23.87 percent, and Tamils 28.91 percent. There are also small communities of people with Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, Malay (1.73 percent) and Indian Tamil (2.17 percent) origins living in the city, as well as numerous European expatriates.
Sinhala and Tamil are the two official languages of Sri Lanka. English is spoken by approximately 10 percent of the population, and is widely used for education, scientific and commercial purposes. Members of the Burgher community speak variant forms of Portuguese Creole and Dutch.
Approximately 68 percent of Sri Lankan peoples are adherents of Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism is the predominant school. Hinduism is practiced by 18 percent of the population, mainly from the Tamil community, Christianity is practiced by up to eight percent, especially by the Portuguese and Dutch Burgher people. While most Sri Lankan Christians are Catholics, there are also significant numbers who adhere to Dutch Reformed Church and the Anglican Communion.
The Colombo Medical School and the Colombo Law College were established in the 1870s. The Ceylon University College was established in 1913, followed by the formation of the University of Ceylon, which had a campus in Colombo. Today the University of Colombo and the University of the Visual & Performing Arts are state universities in the city. The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology also has a metropolitan campus in the center of the city. There are several private higher education institutions within the city.
Of interest
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- The Dutch Hospital is the oldest building in the fort area, ; 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.
- 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 80s Club, the Colombo Cricket Club.
- Buildings of the British era include 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)
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.
Even before the parliament was built some claim that the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque was recognized as the landmark of Colombo by sailors approaching the port. The mosque is still one of the most visited tourist sites in Colombo.
The Fort district also has the famous Cargills & Millers complex that is protected by a special government law from demolition. This is done mainly to preserve the historic beauty of the Fort area.
The Galle Face Green is the city's largest and most elegant promenade. Lined with palm trees and adjacent to the coast, this mile-long stretch in the heart of the city is a constant beehive of activity. The green is especially busy on Fridays and Saturdays. In the evenings it plays host to families and children playing sports and flying kites, lovers embracing under umbrellas and health enthusiasts taking their daily evening walks. There are numerous small food stalls and a small stretch of beach to get wet. The green was recently given a make over and since then has been even more popular with the local community. The Green also frequently hosts numerous international and local concerts and performances, such as the recently concluded World Drum Festival.
Cannons that were once mounted on the rampart of the old fort of Colombo laid out for observance and prestige at the Green, giving a colonial touch to the city. The famous colonial styled Galle Face Hotel, known as Asia's Emerald on the Green since 1864, is also adjacent to Galle Face Green. The Hotel has played host to distinguished guests including the British Royal Family and other Royal Guests and Celebrities. Apparently after having stayed at the hotel, Princess Alexandra of Denmark had commented that "the peacefulness and generosity encountered at the Galle Face Hotel cannot be matched".[18] Around the corner from Galle Face are prominent coffee bars, chic bars and boutiques.
Architecture
Colombo has wildly varying architecture, spanning centuries, however both the old and new coexists side by side. Now 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 1700's[19][20].
Annual cultural events and fairs
Colombo's most beautiful festival is the celebration of Lord Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment and Death all falling on the same day.[21]In Sinhala this is known as Vesak. [21] During this festival, much of the city is decorated with lanterns, lights and special displays of light(known as Thoran). The festival falls in mid May and lasts a week when many Sri Lankans visit the city to see the lantern competitions and decorations. During this week people distribute, rice, drinks and various other food items for free in places what is known as Dunsal which means charity place. These Dunsals are popular amongst visitors from the suburbs.
Christmas is another major festival in the city. Although Sri Lanka's Christians make up only just over 7% of the population, Christmas is one of the island's biggest festivals. Most streets and commercial buildings light up from the beginning of December and festive sales begin at all shopping centres and department stores. Caroling and nativity plays are also frequent sights during the season.
Performing arts
Colombo has several performing arts centers which are popular for their musical and theatrical performances. The most famous performing arts centers are the Lionel Wendt Theater, the Elphinstone and the Tower Hall, all of which have a very rich history and made for western style productions. The Navarangahala also found in the city is the country's first national theatre designed and build for Asiatic and local style musical and theatrical productions.
Museums and art collections
The National Museum of Colombo, was established on 1st of January ,1877 during the tenure of the British Colonial Governor Sir William Henry Gregory is situated in cinnamon gardens area. Next to it is the Natural History Museum.[22]The museum houses the crown jewels and throne of the last king of the Kingdom of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha.[22]. There is also the Colombo Dutch Museum detailing the Dutch colonial history of the country. Colombo does not boast a very big art gallery. There is only a small collection of Sri Lankan masterpieces at the Art Gallery in Green Path.
Sports
Undoubtedly the most popular sport in Sri Lanka is cricket. The country emerged as champions of the 1996 Cricket World Cup and became runners up in 2007. The sport is played in parks, playgrounds, beaches and even in the streets of the city. Colombo is also the home for two of the country's international cricket stadiums, Sinhalese Sports Club's cricket stadium and R. Premadasa Stadium (named after late president Premadasa). Rugby is also a popular sport at the club and school level. Colombo has the distinction of being the only city in the world to have 4 cricket Test venues in the past: P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo Cricket Club Ground and Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium. The Sugathadasa Stadium situated in the city, is an international standard stadium for athletics, swimming and football, also held the South Asian Games in 1991 and 2006.
The city of Colombo also has its own local football team Colombo FC and the sport is being developed as a part of the FIFA Goal program.
Notes
- ↑ Census July 17, 2001 (via citypopulation.de)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 History of Colombo. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 World Executive Colombo Hotels and City Guide
- ↑ "Colombo - then and now", Padma Edirisinghe, The Sunday Observer, 14 February, 2004.
- ↑ Jayewardene, Mr.. How Colombo Derived its Name. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 The lake in the middle of Colombo, Lanka Library
- ↑ 35th boat race and 31st Regatta: Oarsmen of Royal and S. Thomas' clash on Beira waters, Daily News, October 10, 2003
- ↑ John, Still (1996). Index to the Mahawansa:Together with Chronological Table of Wars and Genealogical Trees. AES, 85. ISBN 81-206-1203-5.
- ↑ Prof. Manawadu, Samitha. Cultural Routes Of Sri Lanka As Extensions Of International Itineraries : Identification Of Their Impacts On Tangible & Intangible Heritage pp 3 (pdf). Retrieved 2007-01-17.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 European Encroachment and Dominance:The Portuguese (html). Sri Lanka: A Country Study. Retrieved 2006-12-02.
- ↑ Ross,, Russell R. and Savada, Andrea Matles (08/14/90). Sri Lanka: A Country Study. Defence Dept., Army, 360p. ISBN 0-16-024055-7.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 European Encroachment and Dominance:The Dutch (html). Sri Lanka: A Country study. Retrieved 2006-12-02.
- ↑ Ross,, Russell R. and Savada, Andrea Matles (08/14/90). Sri Lanka: A Country Study. Defense Dept., Army, 360p. ISBN 0-16-024055-7.
- ↑ Ross,, Russell R. and Savada, Andrea Matles (08/14/90). Sri Lanka: A Country Study. Defense Dept., Army, 360p. ISBN 0-16-024055-7.
- ↑ European Encroachment and Dominance:The British Replace the Dutch (html). Sri Lanka: A Country study. Retrieved 2006-12-02.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Adrian, Wijemanne (03/1/96). War and Peace in Post-Colonial Ceylon 1948-1991. Orient Longman, 111p. ISBN 8125003649.
- ↑ GoAbroad.com, Embassies located in Sri Lanka
- ↑ Galle Face, Hotel. Princess Alexandra's Visit (html). Retrieved 2007-02-23.
- ↑ Colombo Fort
- ↑ Tintagel, Colombo
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Venerable Mahinda. Significance of Vesak (html). www.buddhanet.net. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 History of Colombo National Museum. Retrieved 2007-02-02. Cite error: Invalid
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Further reading
- Brohier, Richard Leslie, and Ismeth Raheem. 1984. Changing face of Colombo, 1505-1972: covering the Portuguese, Dutch, and British periods. Colombo: Lake House Investments. OCLC 12345141
- Dharmasena, K. 1980. The port of Colombo, 1860-1939. Colombo: Ministry of Higher Education (Sri Lanka). OCLC 59683734
- Perera, Nihal. 1999. Decolonizing Ceylon: colonialism, nationalism, and the politics of space in Sri Lanka. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195646436
External links
- Encyclopaedia Britannica Colombo Retrieved August 26, 2008.
- World Fact Book 2008 Sri Lanka Retrieved August 26, 2008.
- Port of Colombo Retrieved August 26, 2008.
- Tourism within Colombo city Retrieved August 26, 2008.
- Lanka Media Talk Retrieved August 26, 2008.
- Searchable map of Colombo and Sri Lanka Retrieved August 26, 2008.
- Historic photographs of Sri Lanka Retrieved August 26, 2008.
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