Colombo

WHAT

Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Its natural harbour was known and used by the ancient traders for over 2000 years because of its strategic position on the east-west sea trade route. Colombo is an extraordinary mixture of modern facilities and traditional, historical and natural sites. It has been bustling with commercial affairs since the 15th and the 16th century. In that period, many nations fought for dominance over the island by targeting this valuable city, including Arab settlers, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, who were finally able to take control over Colombo (the western part of Sri Lanka) in 1796. The British domination era ended when the nation gained independence in 1948. Many reminders of the British period were left as landmarks, like the neo-classical old parliament building and the Victorian-era President’s House. Until 2009 the northern part of Sri Lanka was dominated by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam), which had an impact on Colombo, as well, because it is the heart of Sri Lankan commercial affairs. After the civil had ended Colombo regained its commercial stability and a possibility for further development. Today, Colombo city represents a multi-cultural society.