Colombo

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Chief commercial city and seaport, and former capital, of Sri Lanka, on the west coast near the mouth of the Kelani River; population (2001 est) 642,000. It trades in the export of tea, rubber, and cacao, and its industries include iron- and steelworks, an oil refinery, and motor vehicle assembly. Colombo is the hub of the road and rail network of Sri Lanka, is served by an international airport at Katunayake, and is the main commercial centre of the island. It was succeeded as capital by nearby Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte in 1982.

Colombo was mentioned as Kalambu about 1340, but the Portuguese renamed it in honour of the explorer Christopher Columbus. The Dutch seized it in 1656 and surrendered it to Britain in 1796.

The black fimbriation (narrow border) expresses endurance. White stands for Guyana's rivers. Effective date: 26 May 1966. >>