Colombo

Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, has a history that dates back over 2000 years. Known to ancient Roman, Arab, and Chinese traders for its strategic port, it was colonized by the Portuguese in 1505, followed by the Dutch in 1658 and the British in 1796. Under British rule, Colombo developed with modern infrastructure. Since Sri Lanka's independence in 1948, it has remained a major economic and cultural hub, blending colonial heritage with modernity.