Discover the Historic Heart of Colombo: Fort

• Helloහායි
  [hayi]
• Goodbyeසලයුරොව
  [salayurova]
• Yesඔව්
  [ow]
• Noනෑ
  [nē]
• Please/You're welcomeකරුණා
  [karunā]
• Thank youඔබේ ගිහින්
  [obē gihin]
• Excuse me/Sorryකරන්න
  [karanna]
• How are you?ඔයා කොහොමද?
  [ōyā kohomada?]
• Fine. And you?හොඳයි. ඔයා?
  [hōdayi. ōyā?]
• Do you speak English?ඔයා ඉංග්‍රීසි කතා කරනවාද?
  [ōyā iṅgrīsi kathā karanvāda?]
• I don't understandමම දැන්නේයන්නනේ
  [mama dænnēyannane]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseකරුණා, මෙනු බලන්න
  [karunā, mēnu balanna]
• I don't eat meatමම මස් කමරේන්නේය
  [mama mas kamarenne]
• Cheers!සුභ උදාව්!
  [subha udāva]
• I would like to pay, pleaseකරුණා, මම ගෙදනවා
  [karunā, mama gedanavā]

• Help!උක්කා!
  [ukka!]
• Go away!යන්නය
  [yannaya]
• Call the Police!පොලිස් දක්ෂම්
  [polis daksham]
• Call a doctor!වෛරස් දක්ෂම්
  [vāras daksham]
• I'm lostමම අවධානයා
  [mama avadānayā]
• I'm illමම අවසන්
  [mama avasan]

• I'd like to buy...කරුණා, මම වෙනවා...
  [karunā, mama wēnavā...]
• I'm just lookingමම බලමින්නය
  [mama balaminna]
• How much is it?එය කොහොමද?
  [ēya kohomada?]
• That's too expensiveඑය ඉක්මන් ගිය
  [ēya ikman giya]
• Can you lower the price?ඔයා මිල අස් කරනවාද?
  [ōyā mila as karanvāda?]

• What time is it?එය කොළඹ කාලයය?
  [ēya kolamba kālaya]
• It's one o'clockඑය එකක්
  [ēya ēkak]
• Half past (10)දහයා (දසු)
  [dahayā (dasu)]
• Morningපාර
  [pāra]
• Afternoonපොන්
  [pon]
• Eveningසත්තේ
  [satte]
• Yesterdayඊයේ
  [īyē]
• Todayඅද
  [ada]
• Tomorrowහෙට
  [heta]
• 1එක
  [ēka]
• 2දෙක
  [dēka]
• 3තුන
  [thuna]
• 4හත්
  [hata]
• 5පහ
  [paha]
• 6හය
  [haya]
• 7හත
  [hatha]
• 8අට
  [ata]
• 9නය
  [naya]
• 10දහ
  [daha]

• Where's a/the...?හැමදායි ටෙර්...
  [hēmadāyi tēr...]
• What's the address?එය ලිපේපියේ කුමක්?
  [ēya lipēpiyē kumak?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?ඔයා මාප් එකට පෙන්වනවාද?
  [ōyā māp eka penwanvāda?]
• When's the next (bus)?ඊත් අයිත්ස් කව්ද?
  [īt āyits kavada?]
• A ticket (to ....)එය ටිකට් (... වෙනවාද?)
  [ēya tikath (... wēnavāda?)]

Fort, originally a fortified structure built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century, laid the groundwork for European colonial influence in Sri Lanka. The Portuguese constructed a small fort in 1518 to secure their trade routes. The site later became a strategic point for the Dutch, who captured it in 1656, and subsequently the British in the late 18th century, transforming it into a bustling center of administration and commerce.

Under Dutch control, Fort became a significant trading hub. The Dutch East India Company established a fortification that included a garrison, administrative buildings, and warehouses, which facilitated trade in spices and other goods. The remnants of this period are still visible in the architecture of several buildings, including the iconic Dutch Hospital, which now serves as a vibrant shopping and dining precinct.

The British took control of Fort in 1796, and the area underwent significant development. They expanded the fortifications and established various governmental institutions. This period saw the construction of notable structures such as the General Post Office and the Old Parliament Building, which reflect the colonial architectural style and remain prominent landmarks today.

During World War II, Fort's strategic location made it a vital military base for the British. The area was fortified, and military installations were established to protect against potential threats in the Indian Ocean. The war brought an influx of military personnel and resources, further shaping the urban landscape of Fort.

Following Sri Lanka's independence in 1948, Fort continued to evolve as an urban center. The area became a focal point for commercial activities, with numerous banks, retail outlets, and corporate offices establishing their presence. The post-independence era also saw a resurgence of cultural identity, with local festivals and events celebrating Sri Lanka's rich heritage, contributing to the dynamic atmosphere of Fort.

Fort is located in the heart of Colombo and is easily accessible from other neighborhoods. The Colombo Fort Railway Station offers train services connecting to major cities in Sri Lanka, including Kandy and Galle. From the Bandaranaike International Airport, you can take a taxi or an airport shuttle to Fort, which takes about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. Public buses also operate from various parts of Colombo to Fort, with the main bus stop located near the railway station.

Fort is a compact neighborhood, making it easy to explore on foot. If you prefer public transport, buses and tuk-tuks are readily available. The Colombo Fort Railway Station allows for convenient train travel to other parts of the city and beyond. For a unique experience, consider renting a bicycle to navigate the area and enjoy the coastal views along Galle Face Green.

Fort is generally safe for tourists, but like any urban area, it is advisable to remain vigilant. It is best to avoid walking alone at night, especially in less populated areas like the streets behind the railway station. While violent crime is rare, petty theft can occur, particularly in crowded markets and tourist hotspots. It’s wise to keep your belongings secure and be cautious when using your phone in public.

In case of an emergency, dial 119 for police assistance or 110 for fire services. For medical emergencies, the Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital is the nearest major hospital. It's advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies are available throughout Fort for minor health issues, and many have English-speaking staff.

Fashion: Do dress modestly when visiting religious sites. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops. Religion: Do respect local customs; remove shoes when entering temples. Public Transport: Do give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet with a smile and a nod. A handshake is common among men. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes like kottu and hoppers. Don’t refuse food offered by locals, as it's seen as impolite.

To experience Fort like a local, visit the bustling Pettah Market, where you can find everything from spices to textiles. Engage with local vendors, who are often eager to share their stories. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy sunset at Galle Face Green, where you can mingle with locals enjoying street food. For a unique cultural experience, check if there are any local festivals or events happening during your visit.

When interacting with locals, it’s customary to use both hands when giving or receiving items, as a sign of respect. Always address individuals using appropriate titles and surnames unless invited to use their first name. Be mindful of public displays of affection, which may be frowned upon in more conservative settings.

Fort offers a variety of dining options, from street food stalls to upscale restaurants. Don't miss trying local specialties like 'kottu roti' and 'string hoppers.' Always drink bottled water to avoid any health issues, and be cautious with ice in drinks unless you are sure it's from a safe source.