Colombo

/keuh lum"boh/, n.

a seaport in and the capital of Sri Lanka, on the W coast. 562,160.

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City (pop., 2001 prelim.: 642,020), administrative capital of Sri Lanka.

Situated on the western coast of the island, it is a major port with one of the largest artificial harbours in the world. The area was settled in the 8th century by Arab traders. It was occupied by the Portuguese in 1517, the Dutch in 1656, and the English in 1796, and it became the capital of the island in 1815. Western influence diminished after Sri Lanka gained its independence in 1948. A commercial and industrial centre, Colombo has manufacturing industries that produce machinery and process food products. It is home to the University of Colombo (founded 1921).

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▪ Sri Lanka

      city, administrative capital of Sri Lanka. (Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, a Colombo suburb, is the legislative and judicial capital.) It is situated on the west coast of the island, just south of the Kelani River, and is a principal port of the Indian Ocean. Colombo has one of the largest artificial harbours in the world and handles the majority of Sri Lanka's foreign trade.

      The earliest written mention of the port may be that of Fa-hsien (Faxian), a Chinese traveler of the 5th century AD, who referred to the port as Kao-lan-pu. The Sinhalese called the port Kolamba, which the Portuguese thought was derived from the Sinhalese word for mango trees (kola, “leaves”; amba, “mango”). A more likely explanation is that kolamba was an old Sinhalese word meaning “port” or “ferry.”

      In the 8th century AD Arab traders settled near the site of the modern port. From the 16th century onward the port was developed by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British, who each in turn established themselves on the island. In 1815, when the Sinhalese chiefs deposed the king of Kandy in the heart of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and ceded his territory to the British, Colombo became the capital of the island. Western influence in the city has diminished since Sri Lanka gained its independence in 1948.

      The oldest districts of the city, which are nearest the harbour and north of Beira Lake, are known as the Fort and the Pettah (a name deriving from the Tamil word pettai, meaning “the town outside the fort”). The Fort is still a focal point of government and commercial activity, although less so than in the past. The Pettah has become a district of small shops, markets, and sidewalk stalls, with all the characteristic features of an Oriental bazaar. The built-up area of Cinnamon Gardens, which is south of Beira Lake, was an important cinnamon-growing region during the Dutch period.

      Colombo's important buildings include the Secretariat, the Town Hall, the Clock Tower, St. Lucia's Cathedral, and the Galle Face Hotel. Other distinctive buildings in the city are the Wolvendahl Church, built by the Dutch in 1749; a complex of hospitals; the University of Colombo (1921); several Buddhist and Hindu temples; and the residences of the head of state and of the prime minister.

      The city's manufacturing industries are based on the processing of raw materials exported through the port. General engineering industries are connected with public utilities and with the sale, service, repair, and assembly of motor vehicles and other machinery; light manufacturers process food, drinks, and tobacco. Numerous factories are located on the city's periphery. Colombo is also the commercial centre of the island; the head offices of local and foreign banks, the Insurance Corporation (which has a monopoly of insurance), brokerage houses, and government corporations are all located in the city.

      Trains connect Colombo with other major cities on the island. There are also bus services within the city and to all parts of Sri Lanka. The international airport is located at Katunayake, and Ratmalana airport handles domestic flights.

      Colombo has numerous parks and playing fields. Among them are the Galle Face Green by the sea, the Vihara Maha Devi Park, and the Ridgeway Golf Links. Cricket and football (soccer and rugby) grounds are located throughout the city; tennis and track events are also popular. Sea bathing and surfing can be enjoyed at Mount Lavinia Beach, which is about 7 miles (11 km) south of the city. The National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka are located at nearby Dehiwala. Pop. (2001 est.) urban area, 642,020.

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