Colombo Sri Lanka

Colombo is Sri Lanka’s largest city and commercial capital, located on the island’s western coast. Its history spans over 2,000 years, largely shaped by its natural harbour and strategic position along major Indian Ocean trade routes. Long before European colonisation, Arab traders had settled in Colombo, using it as a key port for commerce.
The city gained prominence after the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505, who established a trading post and fortified the harbour. Control later passed to the Dutch in the 17th century, followed by the British in 1796, under whom Colombo became the capital of Ceylon in 1815. When Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, Colombo retained its importance, and although administrative functions were later shifted to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Colombo remains the country’s financial, cultural, and commercial hub. Today, the city reflects a rich blend of colonial heritage and modern urban development.