Negombo: The Serene Coastal Retreat of Sri Lanka

• Helloආයුබෝවන්
  [Ayubowan]
• Goodbyeසුභ උදෑසනක්
  [Suba Udesanak]
• Yesඔව්
  [Oo]
• Noනැත
  [Neth]
• Please/You're welcomeකරනවා / ආයුබෝවන්
  [Karana wa / Ayubowan]
• Thank youඔබට ස්තූතියි
  [Obata Sthuthiyi]
• Excuse me/Sorryකරලා හරි
  [Karala Hari]
• How are you?ඔයා කොහොමද?
  [Oya kohomada?]
• Fine. And you?හොඳ වෙනවා. ඔයා?
  [Hondha wenawa. Oya?]
• Do you speak English?ඔයාට ඉංග්‍රීසි කතා කරනවාද?
  [Oyata Ingirisi katha karanavadha?]
• I don't understandමම දරුවනොහෙත්
  [Mama daruwanohethe]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseකරුණාකර මෙනු බලන්න
  [Karunakara menu balanna]
• I don't eat meatමම මස් කන්නා නෑ
  [Mama mas kanna na]
• Cheers!සුභග්යානයෙන්!
  [Subha gayanaye]
• I would like to pay, pleaseකරුණාකර ගෙවාගෙන ගියාට
  [Karunakara gewanagen giyata]

• Help!උකුලෙන්!
  [Ukulen]
• Go away!මියල්ලා!
  [Miyalla]
• Call the Police!පොලිස් කොල්ලන්න!
  [Polis kollanna]
• Call a doctor!වෛරයක් කොල්ලන්න!
  [Vaidyak kollanna]
• I'm lostමම පොලොස්ටරත්මකාරවල්
  [Mama polostartmakarawal]
• I'm illමම අසාරම්වෙල්
  [Mama asaramwel]

• I'd like to buy...මම හැමදේම මිලදී වෙන්නේ
  [Mama hemadema miladi wenne]
• I'm just lookingමම දැන්කමේ වඩා
  [Mama danakame wada]
• How much is it?එය කොහොමද?
  [Eya kohomada?]
• That's too expensiveඑය ඉතා ගානේ
  [Eya itha gane]
• Can you lower the price?බල අඩු කරනවාද?
  [Bala adu karanavadha?]

• What time is it?වේලාව කුමට ද?
  [Welaya kumata da?]
• It's one o'clockඑක් වේලාව ය
  [Eka welaya ya]
• Half past (10)බත් පස් පද කොල්ලා
  [Batha pasa pada kolla]
• Morningපෙරවරු
  [Perawaru]
• Afternoonපසළොස්
  [Pasalos]
• Eveningසවස
  [Sawasa]
• Yesterdayඊයේ
  [Iye]
• Todayඅද
  [Ada]
• Tomorrowහෙට
  [Heta]
• 1එක
  [Eka]
• 2දෙක
  [Deka]
• 3තුන
  [Thuna]
• 4හතලි
  [Hathali]
• 5පහ
  [Paha]
• 6හය
  [Haya]
• 7හත
  [Hatha]
• 8අට
  [Ata]
• 9නය
  [Naya]
• 10දහය
  [Dahaya]

• Where's a/the...?කොහෙද?
  [Koheda?]
• What's the address?ලිපාකය කුමට ය?
  [Lipakaya kumata ya?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?මම ප්‍රථමයෙන් දක්වනවාද?
  [Mama prathamaye dakwanavadha?]
• When's the next (bus)?ඊළඟට කොළොන්නේ?
  [Ilangata kolonne?]
• A ticket (to ....)ප්‍රාගයක් (.... වෙත)
  [Pragayak (.... wetha)]

Negombo's history dates back to ancient times, with evidence suggesting that it was a hub for the island's indigenous people. The coastal location made it a favorable spot for early settlements, fishing communities, and trade.

In the early 16th century, Portuguese explorers arrived in Negombo. They quickly established control over the area, attracted by its strategic location and lucrative cinnamon trade. The Portuguese influence shaped much of the town's early colonial architecture and laid the groundwork for its Catholic heritage.

By the mid-17th century, the Dutch had taken over Negombo from the Portuguese. They fortified the town by building the Dutch Fort in 1672, remnants of which still stand today. The Dutch also developed the extensive canal system, known as the Hamilton Canal, which was used for transportation and irrigation.

With the decline of Dutch power, the British took control of Negombo in the early 19th century. Under British rule, Negombo continued to thrive as a trade center. The British improved infrastructure, including roads and railways, facilitating better connectivity with the rest of Sri Lanka.

After Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, Negombo grew rapidly, balancing its colonial heritage with modern development. The town has since evolved into a vibrant coastal city, known for its bustling fish markets, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural tapestry.

Negombo is often referred to as 'Little Rome' due to its significant Roman Catholic population and abundance of churches. The town is a melting pot of cultures with Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim communities living harmoniously. Festivals and religious celebrations are a testament to this rich cultural diversity.

Fishing has always been at the heart of Negombo's economy and way of life. The town's lagoon and coastal waters are teeming with marine life, providing livelihoods for generations. The bustling fish market, one of the largest in Sri Lanka, is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the local culture.

Negombo is easily accessible via Bandaranaike International Airport, which is located approximately 10 kilometers from the city center. From the airport, you can take a taxi, which typically takes around 20 minutes. Alternatively, there are bus services and hotel shuttles that can transport you to Negombo.

Negombo offers various modes of transportation. Tuk-tuks are a popular and inexpensive way to get around the city. Buses are available for longer distances, though they can be crowded. Taxis are also widely available and can be booked via apps or hailed on the street. For a more leisurely experience, consider renting a bicycle to explore the coastal areas.

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 cash for smaller establishments and market purchases. ATMs are readily available throughout Negombo, particularly in the city center and tourist areas.

Negombo is generally a safe city for tourists, but it is always best to take standard precautions. Avoid walking alone at night in secluded areas. Some neighborhoods, particularly around the bus station and certain beachfront areas, have higher instances of petty crime targeting tourists, such as pickpocketing. Always keep an eye on your personal belongings.

In case of an emergency, dial 119 for police assistance and 110 for medical emergencies. The Negombo General Hospital is the nearest major medical facility. It is advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies are available for minor health issues, and many pharmacists speak English.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always remove your shoes and cover your head when entering temples. Public Transport: Do be courteous and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a smile and a slight bow or the traditional 'Ayubowan' gesture. Eating & Drinking: Do try local seafood and traditional Sri Lankan dishes. Don't refuse food or drink offerings, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Negombo like a local, visit the daily fish market early in the morning to see the fresh catch being brought in. Take a boat trip through the Negombo Lagoon for a unique view of the mangroves and local wildlife. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories and tips about the best places to visit.