HALF DAY COLOMBO CITY TUK TUK TOUR

Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. It is also the largest city of Sri Lanka. Due to its large harbor and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2000 years ago. It was the capital of Sri Lanka when the Island was ceded to the British Empire in 1815. The name “Colombo” was introduced by the Portuguese in 1505. The British captured Colombo in 1796, but 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. The era of colonialism ended peacefully in 1948 when Ceylon gained independence from Britain.

The influence of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British is clearly visible in Colombo’s architecture, names, clothing, food, language and attitudes. Buildings from all three eras stand as reminders of the turbulent past of Colombo. Many historical monuments colonial architecture can be seen in Colombo. 
A national monument in Sri Lanka is the Independence commemoration Hall at Independence Square (Torrington Square) which was built to commemorate the independence gained from the British on February 4th 1948. However, this monument was built long after Sri Lanka became independent.
The Colombo Light House is another land mark structure which was built in 1860 as a clock tower with the lantern being added in 1865 thus transforming it into a light house. It was the same manufacturer of the “Big Ben” that built the clock which was replaced in 1913. 
The Colombo National Museum is a very interesting place to visit which will give you a glimpse of so many eras gone by. It is housed in a colonial-type mansion of Italian architecture. It was founded by Sir William Henry Gregory who was the British Governor of Ceylon at that time. 
Another most prominent awe-inspiring architectural masterpiece is the Cargills Millers building located in a most prominent place in the center of the City. It was established in 1844 by William Miller and David Sime during the British colonial rule. 
The Colombo Dutch Museum which is a colonial mansion from the 17th century houses the Dutch Museum in the heart of Colombo. It was formerly the residence of the Count August Van Ranzo and has now been restored as a Museum with colonial artifacts, pictures, carvings and items of the colonial era.
The Wolvendaal church was built by the Dutch in 1749 and is one of the oldest churches in Sri Lanka. It still houses the original interior décor with Dutch furniture and carved wooden pews, chairs, pulpit and lecterns. You can also see the tombstone of five Dutch governors including the oldest Dutch tombstone in Sri Lanka. Also the ancient church organ is still in its original condition.
Two other ancient churches are the St. Peter’s Church near the Colombo Harbor Passenger jetty entrance which was the Dutch Governor’s Banquet Hall and later used as a Church in 1804. St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk church which was built in 1842 is another historical Dutch church situated on the Galle Road next to the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.