Colombo

Colombo is the largest city and main commercial center of Sri Lanka. The name “Colombo,” first introduced by the Portuguese Empire in 1505, is believed to come from the Sinhala term Kolon thota, meaning “port on the Kelani River.” Another explanation suggests it comes from Kola-amba-thota, meaning “harbour with leafy mango trees.” Because of its large natural harbour and strategic location along major East–West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to traders more than 2,000 years ago. The city became the capital of the island after Sri Lanka came under the rule of the British Empire in 1815, and it remained the capital when the country gained independence in 1948. In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo was officially designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.