Colombo
has been a flourishing sea port for centuries when ancient seafarers traded
in pearls, precious stones, elephants, peacocks, cinnamon and other spices.
Today Sri Lanka’s commercial capital is a fascinating blend of the East
& West, the past and present and the old & new….
The name
"Colombo", introduced by the Portuguese in 1505, is believed to
be a derivative from the classical Sinhalese name Kolon thota, meaning "port
on the river Kelani" and also been suggested that the name may have been
derived from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means "Harbour
with leafy mango trees".
Due to its large
harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, the
city of Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. Made the capital
of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, and
its status as capital was retained when the nation became independent in 1948.
In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte,
Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.
