Colombo

Colombo is the commercial centre of Sri Lanka. In the 16th century when the Portuguese arrived, Colombo was a small trading post. They immediately realised the important strategic value of Colombo in order to dominate the coastal region. Protected by an impressive fortress they developed the harbour and the town.

From those fortifications nothing much its left. The Dutch connected the lakes and lagoons around Colombo with canals like in Holland and laid out many more spice gardens, as they were very keen to increase the lucrative spice trade. Under the British rule the harbour was considerably enlarged and Colombo gained more and more in importance. After the opening of the Suez Canal the city became an important port for transit and catering between Europe and the Fareast. Today Colombo has a population of more than one million, which is rapidly increasing as many people from the rural areas come daily to Colombo looking for work and employment in order to participate in the fame and wealth of the city.

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