Colombo City

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is a dynamic city blending tradition and modernity. It showcases colonial architecture, lively markets, and serene Buddhist temples. With diverse cuisine, a growing skyline, and beautiful beaches, it's a vibrant hub for business, culture, and tourism, offering a gateway to explore Sri Lanka's wonders.

Things to do from Colombo

Independence Memorial Hall

Independence Memorial Hall in Sri Lanka: A place to Remember

Independence Memorial Hall in Sri Lanka is mostly popular as a recreational venue for joggers, strolling couples, students from the nearby university and families looking for a refreshing reprieve from the urban environment of Colombo. Independence Memorial Hall is located in the Independence Square at Colombo 7. This place is known as Torrington Square in early days. This Hall was built for the commemoration of the independence from British in 1948. The hall was built at the location where the formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule, with the opening of the first parliament by the HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurring at a special podium February 4, 1948.

This Hall is based on the architecture of the Audience Hall( Magul Maduwa) located in Kandy. The column and pillers are decorated with traditional Sri Lankan designs and statues of lions are placed around the building. Most of the visitors had missed the museum located in the basement of the Independence Memorial Hall. This was recently renovated and displays many statues of the national heroes, who contributed to the fight for freedom from British government.

Independence Memorial Hall in Sri Lanka: Design

Every architectural square inch of this monument is filled with lavish symbols of the island’s rich history and political freedom. At the entrance to the building is an imposing statue of D.S. Senanayake, Sri Lanka’s first prime minister, surrounded by four menacing stone lions with protruding eyes. These feral guardians were recreated from the lion statues of the 13th century Yapahuwa kingdom. The most prominent feature of the monument, the assembly hall, was inspired by the “Magul Maduwa,” the royal court of the King of Kandy, the last kingdom on the island. Incidentally, it was at the Magul Maduwa that the Kandyan chieftains handed over the island’s sovereignty to the British throne in 1815.

The exterior of the assembly hall is decorated with “Punkalasas,” pots of plenty, which signify wealth and prosperity. The interior of the hall is supported by 60 pillars adorned with famous Embekke wood carvings from the 14th century Gampola kingdom. Made to the request of Premiere Senanayaka, who commissioned the building, it is said that he wanted a monument “worthy of this country’s long and impressive history.” Some of Sri Lanka’s most prominent architects labored over a number of sketches before the scrupulous premier granted his approval, making the Independence Memorial Hall one of the most meticulously designed buildings in the Colombo metropolis and even the whole country.

The Independence Memorial Hall is the ideal choice for those seeking a quick, relaxing getaway in the city. Much like the freedom it represents there are no entrance fees or stifling crowds; just the serenity and elegance of this historic monument and the freedom to explore and learn.

Independence Memorial Hall in Sri Lanka: Recreational activities

Independence Square remains one of the nicest places to relax in Colombo, especially in the evenings. In addition to the memorial hall itself, there’s also the huge sprawling green lawn outside, the memorial museum and a number of cafes and shopping malls in the vicinity with easy access. It’s a favorite spot for joggers in the mornings and evenings. So much so that it’s easy to catch anybody taking a walk here at some point, from school kids to aunties to even President himself. There’s plenty of well-kept garden all around Independence Square and lovely clean paved pathways that run between. It cad definitely be said that besides Marine Drive or the beach, Independence Square is the best place in the city for some morning/evening exercise. There’s a free gym here and even a corner where you can rent a bicycle.

Independence Memorial Hall in Sri Lanka: The Museum

On the inner end of the memorial hall that faces those square pools of water, you’ll find a brown door that leads to an eerily quiet memorial museum. It is quite hidden and your sure to miss it if you don’t play close attention. Check it out for stone busts of all those who fought for Sri Lanka’s independence, headed by leader of the Uva rebellion of 1818 himself; Monaravila Keppatipola Nilame. Independence Square is a pretty nice place, and thankfully it has been maintained well for as long as we can remember. It’s not just a historical space now but also a recreational park with an immaculate lawns, some food options and plenty of room for exercising and relaxing.

About Colombo District

Colombo is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins and a city population of 647,100.The Colombo Metropolitan Region, defined by the districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara, has an estimated population of 5,648,000, and covers an area of 3,694.20 km²

Colombo is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural city. It is the most populous city in Sri Lanka, with 642,163 people living within the city limits. The population of Colombo is a mix of numerous ethnic groups, mainly Sinhalese, Moors and Tamils. There are also small communities of people with Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, Malay and Indian origins living in the city, as well as numerous European expatriates.

The great majority of Sri Lankan corporations have their head offices in Colombo. Some of the industries include chemicals, textiles, glass, cement, leather goods, furniture, and jewellery. In the city center is located South Asia's second tallest building - The World Trade Centre.

About Western Province

The Western Province is the most densely populated province of Sri Lanka. It is home to the legislative capital Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte as well to Colombo, the nation's administrative and business center. Western Province is divided into 3 main districts called Colombo (642 km²), Gampaha (1,386.6 km²) and Kalutara (1,606 km²) districts. As Sri Lanka's economic hub, all the major local and international corporations have their presence in the city and so do all the major designer and high street retailers, so be ready to indulge in some retail therapy in western province.

Having the highest population in the all the provinces, the almost all the premier educational institutions in the island are located in western province. Universities in the province include the University of Colombo, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Kelaniya, Open University, Sri Lanka, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and University of Moratuwa .Western province has the largest amount of schools in the country, which includes National, Provincial, Private and International schools.

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