Ceylon Escape Tours (Pvt) Ltd, the leading travel and tourism company in Sri Lanka, invites you to uncover Colombo’s rich history and vibrant culture, the island nation’s commercial capital.
The name “Colombo” traces its origins back to the Portuguese era of 1505. It is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhalese name “Kolon thota,” meaning “port on the river Kelani.” Alternatively, it has been suggested that the name may stem from the Sinhalese “Kola-amba-thota,” signifying a “Harbour with leafy mango trees.”
With its expansive harbour and strategic location along the ancient East-West Sea trade routes, Colombo has been a hub of commerce and cultural exchange for over 2,000 years. However, when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, Colombo was officially declared the island’s capital. This status persisted even after the nation gained independence in 1948.
In 1978, with the transfer of administrative functions to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, solidifying its position as the bustling heart of the nation’s economic activity.
