Colombo

Colombo (in Sinhalese: කොළඹ Koḷam̆ba, in Tamil: கொழும்பு Koḻumpu) is the most populated city in Sri Lanka, commercial capital and seat of Government. It is located on the western coast of the island near Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the administrative capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is a vibrant city full of life with a mix of modern architecture, colonial buildings and ruins and a population of more than 600,000 inhabitants. The name 'Colombo' was given by the Portuguese colonizers in 1505, and is believed to be derived from the Sinhalese word Kolon thota, which means 'Port on the Kelani River. It has also been suggested that the name could be related to the Sinhala word Kola-amba-thota which means 'Port with lush mango trees.'

Because it is a large natural port and its strategic position on the marine trade routes that link the East and the West, merchants have known of its existence for more than 2,000 years. However, the city was not designated the capital of the island of Sri Lanka until it was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, and maintained its status as capital when the nation became independent in 1948. In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo was designated the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

Like many other cities, the urban area of Colombo extends beyond the administrative limits, encompassing other urban centers and municipalities. The central area of the city houses most of Sri Lanka's corporate offices, restaurants and entertainment venues. Famous places in Colombo include Galle Face Park, Viharamahadevi Park and the National Museum.

History

For more than 2,000 years, Arab and Chinese travelers and merchants have visited Colombo, in their transit through the Indian Ocean triangulating between the Arabian Peninsula, India and Southeast Asia. The Arab traveler Ibn Batuta, visited the island in the XIV century, and refers to it as Kalanpu. Arab Muslim merchants began to settle in Colombo during the VIII century, especially because the presence of the port allowed them to control their business and trade between the Sinhalese kingdom and the outside world. Today, they constitute the Moorish community of Sri Lanka.

The Portuguese era

Portuguese explorers, led by Don Lourenço de Almeida, first arrived in Sri Lanka in 1505. During their first visit a treaty was signed with the king of Kotte Parakramabahu VIII (1484-1508) that authorized them to trade cinnamon produced on the island, and to settle along the coastal areas of the island, including in Colombo. The treaty gave the Portuguese full authority over the coastline in exchange for their commitment to protect the coast against invaders. They were also allowed to establish a trading post in Colombo. Soon, however, the Portuguese expelled the Muslim inhabitants of Colombo and began building a fort there in 1517.

The Portuguese soon realized that they needed control of Sri Lanka to protect their coastal settlements in India and therefore began to manipulate the rulers of the Kotte kingdom in order to take control of the area. After cleverly exploiting rivalries within the royal family, they took control of a large area of the kingdom, so the Sinhalese king Mayadunne established a new kingdom at Sitawaka, a domain of the Kotte kingdom. Soon Mayadunne annexed much of the kingdom. Kotte kingdom and forces the Portuguese to retreat to Colombo, which was repeatedly besieged by Mayadunne and later by the Sitawaka kings, forcing the Portuguese to seek reinforcements from their main base in Goa, India. However, after the fall of the kingdom in 1593, the Portuguese managed to retain control of the entire coastal area, making Colombo their capital.

This part of Colombo is called Fort and is home to the presidential palace and most of the five-star hotels. The area immediately outside the Fort is called Pettah (Sinhalesepiṭa koṭuva, "outside the fort") and is a commercial centre.

The Dutch era

In 1638 the Dutch signed a treaty with King Rajasinha II of Kandy, through which they guaranteed aid to the king in his war against the Portuguese in exchange for the commercial monopoly of the island's main merchandise. Initially the Portuguese resisted the Dutch and Kandyan onslaught, but little by little from 1639 they were defeated in their fortresses. The Dutch captured Colombo in 1656 after an epic siege, at the end of which only 93 Portuguese managed to escape alive. strong. Although initially the Dutch were going to return the captured area to the Sinhalese king, they later refused to proceed in this way and took control of the cinnamon cultivation lands, the most productive on the island, including Colombo, which became the capital of the Dutch maritime provinces under the control of the Dutch East India Company until 1796.

The British era

The English captured Colombo in 1796, and turned it into a military outpost until the kingdom of Kandy was ceded to them in 1815, and then they turned Colombo into the capital of the colony of Ceylon they had just created. Unlike the Portuguese and Dutch, who had used Colombo primarily as a military fort, the British began to build houses and other civil structures around the fort, giving rise to the present-day city of Colombo.

At first, a 'collector' was appointed in charge of the city administration, with John MacDowell of the Madras Service being the first to occupy the position. 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 in the participation of local inhabitants in the administration of Colombo, so in 1865 the British established a Municipal Council as a means of training and educating the local population for self-government. The Legislative Council of Ceylon created the Colombo Municipal Council in 1865 and the Council met for the first time on 16 January 1866. At that time, the population of the region was about 80,000.

On April 5, 1942, Japanese bombers attacked a British air base in the city, destroying 50% of the enemy air force in the colony. These operations were part of the Japanese Indian Ocean raid of 1942. Fortunately, the attack was limited to military bases, and port facilities were spared.

While the British were in control of Colombo, they were responsible for much of the planning of the current city. In some parts of the city, infrastructure elements such as trams and granite street paving that were laid at that time are still visible.

Post-independence

The colonial era ended peacefully in 1948, when Ceylon gained independence from Great Britain. Due to the great impact this had on the inhabitants of the city and the country as a whole, a series of drastic changes occurred at the end of the colonial period. However, the colonial era left its traces in the establishment of a new culture, marked by changes in laws and customs, styles of clothing, religions and proper names. These cultural changes were followed by the strengthening of the island's economy.. Even today, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences are clearly visible in Colombo's architecture, names, clothing, food, language and manners and customs. Some buildings left over from the three colonial periods remain standing as reminders of Colombo's turbulent past. The city and its inhabitants present an interesting mix of European styles and fashions interspersed with local customs. Colombo is by far more modern than most cities in neighboring countries and is a flourishing metropolis of the East.

Historically, Colombo referred to the surrounding area of Pettah Fort and Market which is famous for the variety of products available, as well as the Khan Clock Tower, a local landmark. Currently, it corresponds to the area under the control of the Colombo Municipal Council. More often though, the name is used to refer to the urban agglomeration 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 remains the commercial center of the island. Although the official capital of Sri Lanka was moved to neighboring Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte, most countries still maintain their diplomatic missions in Colombo.

Although the December 2004 Tsunami affected beaches south of Colombo, the city did not suffer major damage. However, thousands of displaced people arrived in the city shortly after.

Geography

The geography of Colombo is diverse, highlighting the numerous canals that cross it, and the 65 hectare Beira Lake that is located in the heart of the city. The lake is one of the most characteristic elements of Colombo, and It was used for centuries by settlers as a defensive element of the city. Today it continues to be a tourist attraction, hosting regattas, and theatrical events on its banks. The northern and northeastern border of the city of Colombo is formed by the Kelani River, which flows into the sea in a part of the city known as the Modera (mōdara in Sinhala), which means river delta.

During the 2004 tsunami, the city of Colombo did not suffer major damage, unlike some of the coastal areas of the island whose populations were devastated.

Climate

Colombo's climate is tropical most of the year. From March to April the average temperature is around 31°C maximum. The only major cyclical change in Colombo's climate occurs during the monsoon season, from May to August and October to January. During this time of year, heavy rains are recorded. The daytime temperature of the city does not present excessive differences with the nighttime temperature, although this is more marked in the driest winter months, where the average minimum temperatures are 22°C. The average rainfall in the city is around 2,400 mm per year.

Average climate parameters of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Month	Ene.	Feb.	Mar.	Open up.	May.	Jun.	Jul.	Ago.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Temp. max. abs. (°C)	35.2	35.6	36.0	35.2	32.8	33.5	32.2	32.2	32.2	33.6	34.0	34.2	36.0
Average temperature (°C)	30.9	31.2	31.7	31.8	31.1	30.4	30.0	30.0	30.2	30.0	30.1	30.3	30.6
Average temperature (°C)	26.6	26.9	27.7	28.2	28.3	27.9	27.6	27.6	27.5	27.0	26.7	26.6	27.4
Temp. medium (°C)	22.3	22.6	23.7	24.6	25.5	25.5	25.2	25.1	24.8	24.0	23.2	22.8	24.1
Temp. min. abs. (°C)	16.4	18.9	17.7	21.2	20.7	21.4	21.4	21.6	21.2	21.0	18.6	18.1	16.4
Total precipitation (mm)	58.2	72.7	128.0	245.6	392.4	184.9	121.9	119.5	245.4	365.4	414.4	175.3	2523.7
Days of precipitation (≥)	5	5	9	14	16	16	12	11	15	17	15	10	145
Hours of sun	248.0	248.6	275.9	234.0	201.5	195.0	201.5	201.5	189.0	201.5	210.0	217.0	2623.5
Relative humidity (%)	69	69	71	75	78	79	78	77	78	78	76	73	75
Source No. 1: World Meteorological Organization, Hong Kong Observatory
Source No. 2: NOAA

Demography

Colombo is a city that is home to numerous ethnic groups and cultures, among the most relevant of which are the Sinhalese, the Sri Lankan Moors and the Tamils. Small communities of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, Malay and Indian origin also live in the city, as well as numerous Europeans. Colombo is the most populous city in Sri Lanka, with 642,163 inhabitants within the urban boundary. According to the 2001 census, the urban demographics of Colombo by ethnicity are as follows.

Government and politics

Colombo is governed by a Municipal Council established in the city's organizational charter. The mayor of Colombo and members of the council are elected through local elections held every five years. For the past 50 years the city has been governed by the United National Party (UNP), a politically right-wing party, whose pro-business policies are appreciated by the majority of Colombo's population. However, the UNP's list of candidates for the 2006 municipal elections was rejected, and an independent group supported by the UNP won the elections. Uvais Mohamed Imitiyas was later appointed mayor of Colombo.

The city government is responsible for organizing sewage services, managing the street and highway network, and collecting and processing waste. In the case of public services, the council liaises with the water supply and drainage authority, the Ceylon electricity supply authority and telephone service providers.

Like most cities in Sri Lanka, the judicial magistrate and the district court are responsible for prosecuting crimes and offences, while the Municipal Council prosecutes traffic violations and municipal regulations on commerce and health among other issues. Colombo is home to the largest prison in the country, known as the Magazine Prison, it is located in the area of Colombo called Welikada. The headquarters of the Police, Army, Navy, Air Force and many other offices are also located in Colombo. administrative bodies including the Supreme Court of Justice of Sri Lanka and virtually all Government ministries.

Vision and mission of local government

Vision:

Make Colombo a model city in Asia. May the organization of its government and municipality seek to ensure the interests of citizens and users by providing a high quality and efficient service that creates conditions for a safe, healthy and prosperous life.

Mission

Being an excellent organization in the provision of services for citizens for the public and customers, optimizing the use of the resources available through a competent, motivated and contraction work team.

Economy

The vast majority of Sri Lankan companies are based in Colombo. The industries of chemicals, textiles, glass, cement, leather goods, furniture and jewelry stand out. In the center of the city is the second tallest building in South Asia: the World Trade Center. Its 40-story high twin towers are located in the Fort district, the nerve center of the city, housing important commercial establishments.

Next to the Fort district is the Pettah district. Pettah is a place where it is possible to buy all kinds of things, the streets of Pettah are bustling with activity and traffic and the sidewalks are full of small stalls selling everything from delicious sharbat to shirts. The main street mostly has clothing stores, while the streets that cross it specialize in certain commercial items. For example, on the first street that crosses it, most of the stores sell electronic items, on the second, cell phones. Most of these businesses in Pettah are run by Muslim traders. At the end of the main street furthest from the Fort is Sea Street, the Sri Lankan gold market and jewelery shops.

The Colombo Metropolitan Region (CMR) includes Kotte the administrative capital of the country and Colombo. Within the borders of the WRC are 80% of the country's industries and more than 60% of all vehicles on Sri Lanka's roads.

Education

Colombo has numerous colleges and universities. Education in Sri Lanka is free and compulsory, with all children required to complete 13 years of schooling. Among the major secondary schools in Colombo are the Royal College, one of the oldest educational institutions in Sri Lanka, Ananda College with the largest Buddhist student population, Zahira College with the largest Muslim student population in Sri Lanka, and the Hindu College, with the largest Hindu student population and Visakha Vidyalaya a Buddhist school for girls. Most schools in the city are managed by the provincial council, while some prominent schools are under the national schools regime managed by the central government.

The University of Colombo is the only state university in the city. The computer school university is famous for its contributions to the Apache web server software project. The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology also has a metropolitan campus in the city centre.

Urban development

Colombo has most of the services and facilities that are typical of a modern city. In recent times there has been an increase in the construction of condominium buildings in the city, mainly as a result of the high value of land.

Practically all foreign missions, embassies, high commissions and headquarters of NGOs and organizations such as the United Nations have their residences in the city.

The World Trade Center towers are one of the city's main landmarks. Before these towers, the Bank of Ceylon located nearby was the tallest and most prominent structure in the city. Also notable is the majestic old Parliament building located in the Fort district.

Another notable landmark is the Jami Ul Alfar mosque that can be seen from the port. The mosque is one of the most visited tourist sites in Colombo.

In the Fort district is the Cargills & Millers that has been declared a historical monument by a special law of the Government, for the purposes of preserving the historical heritage of the Fort area.

The Galle Face Green is the largest and most elegant promenade in the city. It is bordered by palm trees and extends in a strip parallel to the coast, for 1.5 km. The park is especially visited on Fridays and Saturdays. At night the site is occupied by families looking for recreation, people who practice sports and health enthusiasts taking their daily walks at night. There are numerous small food stalls and a small stretch of beach for a swim. The park is frequently used for outdoor concerts and performances.

The famous colonial-style Galle Face hotel founded in 1864, and known as the Emerald of Asia, is located on the Galle Face Green. The hotel has hosted distinguished guests including the British royal family among other guests. Just around the corner from Galle Face are prominent cafes, stylish boutiques and bars.

Transportation

Sri Lanka has only one airport, the Bandaranaike International Airport, located 35 kilometers north of the center of Colombo. More than 30 airlines operate there, including SriLankan Airlines. The public transport network includes buses, trains, auto rickshaws (commonly called 'three-wheelers' in Sri Lanka) and taxis. The bus service is operated by both private and government companies. The bus service is not without inconveniences, its vehicles are insufficient so it is very common to see passengers hanging outside the doors, in addition the heat and dense traffic help make traveling by bus not an experience for recommend. Rush hours in the city are really chaotic.

Other services that exist in the city are taxis, more comfortable than buses, and motorized buggies, three-wheeled vehicles somewhat cheaper than taxis but exposed to the heat and smoke of the street.

With respect to the railway system, nine lines pass through Colombo that connect it with the most important points in the country. One of the main railway lines is the Intercity Express (ICE), which links Colombo with Kandy and Galle. The Fort railway station is the epicenter of the city's train network. To alleviate traffic in Colombo, construction of the Colombo Metro Rail has begun, a rapid and mass transit railway system, similar to that existing in other cities. Asian cities. The project is carried out by a company formed by Indian and Singapore capital.

Culture

Cultural events and fairs

The most traditional and colorful festival in Colombo is the celebration of the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, all remembered on the same day. In Sinhalese this is known as Vesak. During this festival, Much of the city is decorated with lanterns, lights and special light displays (known as Thoran). The festival takes place in mid-May and lasts for a week, and many Sri Lankans visit the city to see the lantern competitions and decorations. During this week people distribute rice, drinks and other food for free at places designated as Dunsal which means charity. These Dunsals are popular with visitors to the suburbs.

Christmas is another great holiday celebrated in the city. Although in Sri Lanka, Christians only represent just over 7% of the population, Christmas is one of the biggest holidays on the island. Most streets and commercial buildings are illuminated and decorated from the beginning of December. It is common to see groups singing carols and others representing the nativity.

Performing Arts

Colombo has several performing arts centers that are popular for their musicals and theater performances. The most famous performing arts centers are the Lionel Wendt Theatre, Elphinstone Tower and the Hall, all of which have a very rich history.

Museums and art collections

The National Museum of Colombo, created on January 1, 1877 during the mandate of the British colonial governor Sir William Henry Gregory, is located in the Cinnamon Gardens area. The museum houses the jewels and throne of the last king of the country, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, who was captured and exiled to Mauritius by the English in 1815. Colombo does not have a large art gallery, although there is a small collection of Sri Lankan masterpieces at the Art Gallery on the Green Road.

Sports

Without a doubt the most popular sport in Sri Lanka is cricket. The country's representative team was champion of the Cricket World Cup in 1996 and reached the finals in 2007. The sport is played in parks, playgrounds, beaches and even on city streets. Colombo has two international cricket stadiums, the Sinhala Sports Club and the R. Premadasa Stadium. Rugby is also a very popular sport. The city's Sugathadasa stadium has athletics, swimming and soccer fields that meet the requirements of the regulations of the international federations of these sports.

Media

Almost all major media outlets in Sri Lanka operate from Colombo. The State Media has its offices on Bullers Road. The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, formerly known as Radio Ceylon, is also located in Colombo. SLBC is the oldest radio station in South Asia.

Fashion

The city is a popular fashion center in Southeast Asia today. The industry has evolved to meet modern standards and periodically holds shows to showcase local talent.

Sister cities

• Saint Petersburg, Russia (since 1997)
• Barcelona, Spain (since 2000)