Colombo: The Vibrant Heart of Sri Lanka

• Helloහිතනවා
  [hithanava]
• Goodbyeආයුබෝවන්
  [ayubovan]
• Yesඔව්
  [ow]
• Noනෑ
  [nae]
• Please/You're welcomeකරනවා
  [karanaava]
• Thank youස්තූපනවා
  [sthupanava]
• Excuse me/Sorryකරුණාකොටුවා
  [karunakotuva]
• How are you?ඔයා කොහෙද?
  [oyā koheda?]
• Fine. And you?හරි. ඔයා?
  [hari. oyā?]
• Do you speak English?ඔයා ඉංග්‍රීසි කතා කරනවාද?
  [oyā ingrisi kathā karanava da?]
• I don't understandමම දත්ත පිළිගන්නවාද?
  [mama dattha piligananava da?]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseකරුණාකොට මෙනුස් බලනවා
  [karunakotuva menūs balanava]
• I don't eat meatමම මස් කම් කරාදැයි නෑ
  [mama mas kam karayadi nae]
• Cheers!සුමටුවා!
  [sumatūva]
• I would like to pay, pleaseකරුණාකොට ගෙවාගනවා
  [karunakotuva gewāganava]

• Help!උකුල්ලා!
  [ukullā!]
• Go away!යන්නාකොටුවා!
  [yannakotuva!]
• Call the Police!පොලිස් අපෙන්න
  [polis apennā]
• Call a doctor!වෛර අපෙන්න
  [vaira apennā]
• I'm lostමම නැතිවිලා
  [mama nāthivila]
• I'm illමම අස්වැවීම්
  [mama aswawīm]

• I'd like to buy...මම ... මෙනුස් මිලදී ගන්නවා
  [mama ... menūs miladī gananava]
• I'm just lookingමම බලනවා
  [mama balanava]
• How much is it?එයා කොහෙද?
  [eya koheda?]
• That's too expensiveඑයා ශීත්වාද
  [eya shītwada]
• Can you lower the price?ගමුදීගන්නවාද?
  [gamudīganavada?]

• What time is it?යුද්දේ කොහෙද?
  [yuddē koheda?]
• It's one o'clockඑකට
  [ekata]
• Half past (10)දහයට
  [dahayata]
• Morningඋදේ
  [udē]
• Afternoonපෙ.ව.
  [pewa]
• Eveningස.ව.
  [sawa]
• Yesterdayඊයේ
  [iyē]
• Todayඅද
  [ada]
• Tomorrowහෙට
  [heta]
• 1එක
  [eka]
• 2දෙක
  [deka]
• 3තුන
  [thuna]
• 4හතර
  [hathara]
• 5පහ
  [paha]
• 6හය
  [haya]
• 7හත
  [hatha]
• 8අට
  [ata]
• 9නත
  [nata]
• 10දහය
  [dahaya]

• Where's a/the...?... කොටින්නේ කොහෙද?
  [... kotinnē koheda?]
• What's the address?ලිපිනය කොහෙද?
  [lipinaya koheda?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?මම අපිටින්නේ කොහෙද?
  [mama apitininnē koheda?]
• When's the next (bus)?ඊළඟ ... කොටින්නේ කොහෙද?
  [ēlagata ... kotinnē koheda?]
• A ticket (to ....)ප්‍රාච්චිතය (... වෙත)
  [prācchithaya (... wetha)]

Colombo's history stretches back over 2,000 years with evidence of its importance as a port city. Ancient traders from Rome, Arabia, and China frequented the city due to its strategic location along the East-West sea trade routes.

In 1505, the Portuguese arrived in Colombo, marking the beginning of European colonial influence. They established a fort and began to exert control over the lucrative spice trade, particularly focusing on cinnamon, which was abundant in the region.

The Dutch East India Company took control of Colombo in 1656, expelling the Portuguese. They expanded the fort and enhanced the city's infrastructure, leaving behind a legacy of Dutch architecture that can still be seen in parts of the city today.

In 1796, the British captured Colombo from the Dutch. They developed it into a major administrative center and port. The British introduced modern educational institutions and transportation networks, significantly shaping the city's development.

Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain in 1948, and Colombo was established as the capital of the new nation. The city continued to grow and modernize, balancing its colonial heritage with contemporary developments.

The late 20th century saw Colombo at the heart of the ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority. The city experienced significant turmoil during the Sri Lankan Civil War, which lasted from 1983 to 2009.

Today, Colombo is a bustling metropolis that blends ancient traditions with modernity. It is a melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, and religions, offering a rich tapestry of experiences for visitors. The city's vibrant markets, colonial buildings, and contemporary skyscrapers stand as a testament to its diverse history.

Colombo is served by Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), located approximately 35 kilometers north of the city center. The airport is well-connected with direct flights from major cities across the globe. From the airport, you can take a taxi, airport shuttle, or a bus to reach the city. The airport express train is another convenient option, offering a quick and scenic route to Colombo Fort Railway Station.

Colombo offers various transportation options, including buses, tuk-tuks, and taxis. The city has an extensive bus network with frequent services connecting different parts of the city. Tuk-tuks are a popular choice for short trips and can be hailed from almost anywhere. For longer journeys, taxis are a more comfortable option. Ride-hailing services like Uber and PickMe are also widely available. The local train service offers a unique experience for exploring the coastal areas and nearby towns.

The official currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops. However, it is advisable to carry some cash, especially when visiting local markets and smaller establishments. ATMs are available throughout Colombo, and currency exchange services can be found at the airport, banks, and major hotels.

Colombo is generally safe for tourists, but like any major city, it is important to stay vigilant. Avoid walking alone at night in secluded areas and be cautious with your belongings in crowded places. Areas like Pettah Market and certain parts of Fort can be busy and chaotic, so keep an eye on your valuables. While violent crime is rare, petty theft and scams can occur, so always be cautious.

In case of emergency, dial 119 for police assistance and 110 for medical emergencies. Colombo has several hospitals and clinics that offer quality medical care. It is advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, pharmacies are readily available throughout the city. Keep a list of emergency contacts and the address of your embassy or consulate for quick access.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Remove your shoes and cover your head when entering temples. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly or disabled passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a smile or a slight bow. Handshakes are common, but be mindful of cultural sensitivities. Eating & Drinking: Do try local cuisine and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Colombo like a local, visit the bustling Pettah Market for a taste of local life and to shop for fresh produce, spices, and textiles. Take a stroll along Galle Face Green, a popular spot for families and street food vendors. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and eager to share their culture. Don't miss the opportunity to visit local temples and historic sites such as Gangaramaya Temple and the Colombo National Museum.