Private Day Trip: Colombo City Tour from Negombo

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Colombo National Museum, Albert Crescent, Colombo Sri Lanka

The Colombo Museum was established in 1st January 1877. It was founded by the British Governor of Ceylon at the time; Sir William Gregory.

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The architect of the Public Works department, J.G. Smither was able to prepare plans for the new structure based on Italian architecture style.

The construction of the Museum was carried out by Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar (born 1829, died 1925, aka Wapchi Marikar Bass. Wapchi Marikar Bass has an extensive resume that made him the perfect man for this immense project. He was the builder of the General Post Office in Colombo, Colombo Customs, Old Town Hall in Pettah, Galle Face Hotel, Victoria Arcade, Finlay Moir building, the Clock Tower, Batternburg Battery and many other buildings some of which are still standing today

The construction was completed in 1876 and commissioned to be opened the following year. The completed building of the Colombo Museum was declared open by Governor Gregory, in the presence of a large crowd.

Several other wings were added from time to time under the direction of Dr. Arthur Willey and Dr. Joseph Pearson new structures were built during the period of Dr. P. E. P. Deraniyagala, Dr. P. H. D. H. de Silva and Sirinimal Lakdusinghe. One of the natural history museum, and yet another consists of the auditorium.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka

The BMICH is a well known convention centre that is located in Colombo and was built between the years 1970 – 73. A gift from the People’s Republic of China in memory of the Prime Minister of Ceylon from 1956 – 1959, Sir Solomon Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike, the construction was carried out as a joint venture from both countries. With a total area of 16,000 sq ft, BMICH is always the venue chosen for high profile events and exhibitions including CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013).



Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, 61 Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo Sri Lanka

Located amidst the calm waters of the Beira Lake, the Gangaramaya Temple complex is a vibrant venue located in the heart of the Business District. The complex consists of the Main Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, the “Seema Malaka” which is an assembly hall for monks and also a vocational training institute. The temple is over 120 years old while now it has been converted to an institution of International significance. The temple and its surroundings are adorned with colourful lights during various ceremonial months while the annual Nawam Perahera conducted by the Gangaramaya is one of the most vibrant and colourful processions in the island.



Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Arcade Independence Square, 7 Colombo, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka

The Independence Memorial Hall, most commonly known as the Independence Square, is a National Monument in Sri Lanka. The structure was built in commemoration of the Independence of Sri Lanka from the British rule and to mark the ceremonial start of self rule with the opening of the first parliament on the 4th of February 1948. There is also a statue of the first prime minister of the country right in front of the structure. Many events including the Independence Day celebrations are held here annually.



Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Nelum Pokuna Mawatha, Colombo 00700 Sri Lanka

This theatre which was opened in December 2011 is a performing arts centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It’s perfect location in the city has made it an ideal venue for many International gatherings and functions since its establishment. The architecture of the structure has been inspired by the 12th Century Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) which was built by King Parakramabahu the Great during the prosperous era when Polonnaruwa was once the capital.



Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Galle Face Green, Galle Road, Colombo Sri Lanka

The Galle Face Green, which is immediately south of Fort, is a long, thin park facing the Indian Ocean which fills up with food stalls and locals on weekday and weekend evenings as it is a popular meeting place to relax. A narrow arm of Beira Lake separates this district from Slave Island, a peninsula where the Dutch imprisoned slaves from their Asian colonies. Galle Road, Colombo’s long seafront boulevard runs south from Galle Face Green, eventually becoming the main coastal road to Galle and the Deep South. It’s always crowded with traffic and short on charm, but as the city’s main thoroughfare it also has some of the best shopping malls and a number of important buildings, including the official residence of Sri Lanka’s premier, the US Embassy, the British High Commission and some of the city’s top five star hotels.



Duration: 45 minutes