Immediately south of here is Galle Face Green , a seafront expanse of occasional green graced by cricket games, kite flyers and trysting lovers. Cinammon Gardens , further south, is Colombo 's most fashionable neighbourhood, with elegant mansions, tree-lined streets and the city's largest park. East of the fort is the pungent Pettah bazaar district. Walk through and marvel at the riot of goods - fruit, vegetables, meat, gems, gold, silver, brass and tin junk.

Culture buffs shouldn't miss the National Museum , which has a good collection of historical works, the Art Gallery , which focuses on portraiture and temporary exhibits by local artists, and the city's many mosques and Buddhist and Hindu temples. After familiarising yourself with Sri Lankan culture, check out the island's fauna at the Dehiwala Zoo . The highlight here is an afternoon elephant show.

SRI JAYAWARDENAPURA KOTTE

Jayawardenapura-Kotte was the capital of Sri Lanka at the time of the arrival of the Portuguess. The fortress at Kotte was erected by the Minister Alakeswara during the reign of Vickremabahu III (1356-1370 AD). From that time Kotte was the capital of the island for about two centuries. The first king who made Kotte his capital was Parakkramabahu IV (1410-1467 AD). After Don Juvan Dharmapala this city fell into the hands of the Portuguese who destroyed the buildings in the city. A beautiful King's Palace and a temple of the Scred Tooth had been at the city. The rampart wall and the moat which girt the city once can be noticed in places here and there.

Kotte was renamed Sri Jayawardanepura when it was declared the official capital of Sri Lanka in 1982.

 Dutch Church in Wolfendhal Street Colombo Town , Colombo

This Dutch Church was constructed in 1749 at a site where there was a Portuguese church originally. the church was built under the auspices of the Dutch East India Company. Inside the church is a pew for the utch Givernor. The church is a large building with thick walls. the remains of five Dutch Governors and their wives originally interred in the ruined church in the Fort of Colombo were re-interred here.

 St. Peter's church-Colombo Fort Colombo Town. Colombo Fort

This is an old building in front of the Colombo Harbour . This structure with thick walls and large windows was the residence of the Dutch Governors during the Dutch occupation. Meetings of the Council of State had been held in this building during the time. During the early days of the tenure of Governor North too this was a state building. The buildig was converted to a church in 1804. the verandah with high columns was added to the structure in the early days of the British.