Excursion Colombo highlights with traditional sri lankan breakfast tour at Colombo

Explore the highlights of Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka located on the west cost of the island. This is the largest city of Sri Lanka by population and features tremendous sights to see in the surrounding areas, including a Buddhist temple famous for its reclining image of Gautama Buddha.

Colombo was 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.

The name Colombo is locally pronounced "kolamba," and was first introduced by the Portuguese in 1505. It is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhala name "olon thota," meaning "port on the river Kelani".

As Colombo possesses a natural harbor, it was known to Indian, Greek, Persian, Roman, Arab, and Chinese traders over 2,000 years ago. The Portuguese first arrived in Sri Lanka in 1505 and made a treaty with the king to do the trade of cinnamon, in return they guarded the coastline for the king from invaders. In 1638 the Dutch came and joined hands with the king of Kandy to fight against the Portuguese and they manage to defeat the Portuguese. Later the Dutch captured Colombo in 1656. The British captured Colombo in 1796, and it remained a British military outpost until the Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to them in 1815 and they made Colombo the capital of their newly created crown colony of British Ceylon.

On arrival at the Colombo port depart by coaches to an ancient Buddhist temple, Kaelaniya Raja Maha Vijara, or Kelaniya Temple. Buddhists believe the temple to have been hallowed during the third and final visit of the Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka, eight years after gaining enlightenment. Its history would thus go back to before 500 BCE.

The temple is also famous for its image of the reclining Gautama Buddha and paintings by the native artist Solias Mendis which depict important events in the life of the Buddha, in the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, also incidents from the Jataka tales. It is the venue for the Duruthu Maha Perehera procession each January. An 18-foot stone statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara has been erected at the temple.

On arrival at the temple a special ceremony is conducted by the Monks.

Later proceed for breakfast of traditional Srilankan breakfast specialties at a city hotel. Then depart by coach for a tour of Colombo city, passing by various monuments and highlights in the city, including Colombo Harbor, the town hall building, Galle face area, old railway station, Bandaranayake convention center, old market in Pettah, Vihara Mahadevi park Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Memorial Hall.

Step off the coach at the Independent Memorial Hall for few min (15 min) before returning to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Kelaniya Buddhist Temple, Colombo city tour with many historic and architectural highlights, Independent Memorial Hall

Note

Please note: This excursion involves little walking, just short walks (with some steps) at the temple and at the memorial hall. Guests are required to remove their shoes during the temple visit and to cover themselves below elbow and knees to respect local customs and culture at the temple. Comfortable clothing and shoes recommended.