Country Guides - Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka's oldest museum was established in 1877 and today boasts a massive collection of antiques and objects d'art, encompassing the cultural heritage of the island. Exhibits include artefacts from archaeological sites all over Sri Lanka, and more than 4,000 ancient palm leaf manuscripts. Among the exhibits is displayed the regalia of the Kandyan Kings dating back to the 17th century. Alongside the archaeological museum in Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha is the Natural History Museum, which features the island's fauna and flora in dioramas. The dual museums are a good introduction for visitors interested in discovering the culture and 2,500-year history of the island.
Telephone: (0)11 269 4767
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Opening times: Daily 9am to 5pm. Closed Fridays
Pettah
Colombo's bazaar district, the Pettah, presents a real treat for shopaholics who can wander through the hustle and bustle of whole streets dedicated to selling a particular type of merchandise, from local handcrafts to brand name clothing. The area was once an exclusive residential area filled with stately homes and large gardens in gas-lit streets. A relic of the colonial era, the Dutch House Museum, is open to the public on Prince Street. The mansion house dates from the 17th century and was the residence of Count August Carl Van Ranzow. It has now been restored and stands among the traders and boutiques as a museum displaying the life and times of the Dutch occupation, its exhibits including furniture, ceramics, coins and all the trappings of daily life at the time.
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Opening times: Dutch House Museum open daily 9am to 5pm; closed Fridays
Zoological Gardens
Colombo's zoo has a fine collection of animals, birds, reptiles and fish from all over the world, but in particular showcases the fauna of the island. The complex includes an aquarium, which is the only one of its kind in Asia displaying more than 500 varieties of aquatic life. There is also a walk-through aviary, reptile enclosure and butterfly park. One of the most popular attractions at the zoo is the daily elephant show, which takes place at 5.15pm.
Telephone: (0)11 271 2751
Website: www.colombozoo.gov.lk
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Opening times: Daily 8.30am to 6pm
Hotels
Whether you stay in them or not, Colombo has some grand old hotels with plenty of legends and history attached that are well worth visiting, even for a sundowner on the veranda. The Grand Oriental Hotel faces the once-bustling passenger harbour terminal and in the age of elegance played host to the rich and famous travelling on the famed Cunard and P&O passenger liners. The Galle Face Hotel faces the Green with a haughty, beautiful façade. It oozes with charm and is believed to be the oldest hotel east of the Suez Canal. The Mount Lavinia Hotel at the city's beach resort was originally the residence of the British Governor.
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Star Fort
During their occupation of Sri Lanka the Dutch built a small outpost fort on the north bank of the Nilwala estuary at Matara in the form of a five-pointed star, in order to guard the river crossing. The fort, dating from 1763, now contains a museum featuring a collection of historic paintings and frescoes on wooden panels.
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Opening times: Daily 9am to 5pm
Wewurukaimala Temple
Not all Buddhist temples are ancient, nor are they all conservative affairs. The colourful, somewhat garish, modern Wewurukaimala Temple at Dikwella village near Matara is quite an eyeful, featuring hundreds of brightly painted and gilded models depicting scenes from the life of Buddha, and numerous murals, some of them rather ghoulish. There is also a Buddha effigy that is one of the world's tallest, equalling the height of a five-storey building, which visitors can ascend on the inside to enjoy the view from the top.
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Opening times: Daily from dawn to dusk
Cities & Regions: Colombo | Matara
During their occupation of Sri Lanka the Dutch built a small outpost fort on the north bank of the Nilwala estuary at Matara in the form of a five-pointed star, in order to guard the river crossing. The fort, dating from 1763, now contains a museum featuring a collection of historic paintings and frescoes on wooden panels.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times: Daily 9am to 5pm
Wewurukaimala Temple
Not all Buddhist temples are ancient, nor are they all conservative affairs. The colourful, somewhat garish, modern Wewurukaimala Temple at Dikwella village near Matara is quite an eyeful, featuring hundreds of brightly painted and gilded models depicting scenes from the life of Buddha, and numerous murals, some of them rather ghoulish. There is also a Buddha effigy that is one of the world's tallest, equalling the height of a five-storey building, which visitors can ascend on the inside to enjoy the view from the top.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times: Daily from dawn to dusk
Cities & Regions: Colombo | Matara
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