| Around
Colombo
Negombo
For a Shorter beach holiday, or as a stopover on your first
or last night in Sri Lanka, Negombo,37km (23miles) north
of Colombo city centre, has the virtue of being the closed
beach resort to katunayake International Air port. For that
reason, it also appears in a number of tour operator brochures.
Nickmaed "Little Rome" because of its mumerous
Catholic Churches - a survival from the period of portuguese
rule - Negombo surrounds a Lagoon which is rich in fish
and until the advent of tourism provides a ready market
for the lagoon's prawns and lobsters, and for deep-water
fish like tuna, shark and amberjack, but the picturesque
twin-hulled sailing canoes are slowely being ousted by modern
wooden or plastic-hulled,motor-driven boats. Nevertheless,
the narrow streets and colourful stucco churches of the
old part of town make Negombo acceptably picturesque for
a short stay, and there are more than a dozen luxury resort
hotels to choose from.
Negombo's beach is less than brilliant by Sri Lankan standards
- there are other, far better beaches elsewhere -and the
sea is often murky as a result of silt carried into it from
the 12Km (7.5mile) lagoon and the network of freshwater
channels feeding into it.
Dutch Fort
Commanding the entrance to the lagoon the ruined fort dates
from 1678, according to the date inscribed above its stone
gateway. It was built some 34 years after the Dutch wrested
Sri Lanka from Portugal, and defended the natural harbour
from which the Dutch East India Company exported cinnamon
and other spices, which were the island's most valuable
exports. Next to the walls is a Dutch Cemetery. Open during
daylight hours.
St Mary's Church
This is most picturesque of the town's many catholic churches
and chapels, Testimony to the enthusiasm with which the
local Karava people adopted Catholicism under Portuguese
tutelage. The Painted Ceiling is
well worth a look. Open during usual church hours.
Mount Lavinia
About 11km (6miles) south of Colombo City Centre, Mount
Lavinia has a beach with a potentially dangerous undertow
and occasionally polluted waters which diminish the appeal
of its golden sands and swaying palms. Much of its reputation
rests on the charm of the Mount Lavinia
Hotel. In around 1805-6 the then British Governor,
Sir Thomas maitland, built an official
residence here, naming it after his mistress. It was rebuilt
between 1823 and 1827 by one of his successors, Edwrd barnes;
it became a government rest house in 1877 and was converted
into a hotel in 1895. Modern additions have obliterated
much of its Old-world charm, despite attempts to maintain
some continuity with its past. A Superb pool with great
sea views makes up for the deficiencies of the beach.
Kalutara
This bustling village at the mouth of the Kalu Ganga, 45km
(27miles) south of Colombo, was like Negombo, a very important
entrepot for the cinnamon and nutmeg trades but is now better
known for its Coconut palm gardens
and for coconut-fibre mats, rope and baskets. kalutara also
claims to have the tastiest mangosteens
in sri Lanka. A purple fruit with white segmented flesh
and a deliciously tart flavour, the mangosteen is said to
be at its best in june.
Basket Centre
The Basket Centre is in the middle of the village. See baskets
and other wares being woven from coconut fibre, with the
opportunity to buy. The tough, well-made baskets come in
handy if you haven't enough space in your luggage for all
your other souvenir purchases, and make good gifts too.
Open 08.00 - 17.00 Daily.
Gangatilaka Vihara
On the banks of the Kalu Ganga, next to the road bridge,
stands the Gangatilaka vihara, a large dagoba (Buddhist
Shrine) beside which stands a sacred bo-tree. The hollow
dagoba has an unusual Painted interior. It is open during
daylight hours. If you intend to go inside, a small cash
offering, to be placed in the box fixed to the sacred tree,
will be appreciated.
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