Independence Square in Colombo is a national monument commemorating Sri Lanka’s independence from British colonial rule on February 4, 1948. Its centerpiece is the Independence Memorial Hall, an open-sided stone building featuring a series of ornate columns and a roof inspired by the royal audience hall of the Kingdom of Kandy, symbolizing national pride and heritage. At the hall’s head stands a statue of Rt. Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake, Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister who led the country to self-rule. Tourists can explore the hall’s lavish architecture filled with symbols of Sri Lanka’s rich history, including lion statues inspired by the 13th-century Yapahuwa Kingdom. The site includes lush gardens, ideal for quiet strolls or morning jogs, and hosts cultural events. Visitors may also find the Independence Memorial Museum in the hall’s basement, providing deeper insight into the country’s journey to freedom. The location was historically significant as the site for National Monument.

Tourists can enjoy tree-lined avenues in Colombo at several beautiful locations. Notable spots include Thurstan Road, lined with giant flame trees creating a shaded canopy during flowering season (April-May). Independence Avenue, with tall Indian Willow trees, leads to Independence Square, offering a grand, leafy walk enriched by historical landmarks. Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo’s oldest and largest park, features lush gardens and flowering trees, ideal for peaceful strolls. Greenpath near Viharamahadevi Park is another shaded avenue known for local art displays. Cinnamon Gardens, an upscale residential area, also boasts pleasant tree-lined streets perfect for walking. Other shady avenues include Gregory’s Road, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, and Guildford Crescent. These spots provide a relaxing escape in the city with natural beauty and historical significance.

Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo was founded in the late 19th century by the renowned scholar monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera during a time of Buddhist revival in Sri Lanka following colonial rule. Originally a small shrine near Beira Lake, the temple grew under his guidance and with community support starting in 1885. Over time, it developed into a major religious, cultural, and educational center blending Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architectural styles. Successive chief monks enhanced the temple’s status as a seat of learning and cultural preservation. Today, Gangaramaya is not only a place of worship but a key institution for Buddhist education and community service, symbolizing Sri Lanka’s rich spiritual heritage.

Visitors to Colombo Fort can explore many notable colonial buildings reflecting Portuguese, Dutch, and British eras. Key landmarks include: - The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital (built 1681), one of Colombo’s oldest buildings, now a vibrant shopping and dining precinct. - The President’s House, formerly the residence of Dutch and British governors, symbolizing colonial governance. - The Cargills Building, a 19th-century red-brick colonial trading hub, showcasing Victorian architecture. - The Colombo Lighthouse and Old Colombo Lighthouse, historic navigational structures. - The General Post Office, Central Telegraph Office, and old Police Headquarters buildings, all with colonial architectural significance. - St. Peter’s Church, one of the oldest churches dating from the colonial period. - The Clock Tower and World Trade Center, blending old and new cityscapes. These buildings offer a rich glimpse into Colombo’s colonial past in the Fort district.

Around Galle Face Green in Colombo, visitors can see several significant old colonial buildings. The iconic Galle Face Hotel, built in 1864 on the site of an old Dutch villa, showcases Victorian-era grandeur and colonial elegance. The historic Taj Samudra Hotel stands on the site of a former Dutch seminary and retains colonial architectural elements, including an elliptical building once used as a grandstand for horse races at Galle Face Green. Nearby, the Presidential Secretariat, formerly the State Council under British rule and the Parliament of independent Ceylon, displays imposing colonial sandstone architecture. These buildings, along with other colonial-era structures surrounding the ocean-side promenade, reflect Colombo’s rich colonial heritage and enhance the historical ambiance of the Galle Face Green area.

Reflections over a cup of tea at Galle Face Hotel, founded in 1864 by four British entrepreneurs, is one of the oldest hotels east of the Suez Canal. It was originally a Dutch villa called Galle Face House before being transformed into a luxury hotel. The hotel’s name comes from the adjacent Galle Face Green, a vast ocean-side promenade. Architect Edward Skinner expanded the hotel in 1894, adding the south wing that gave the hotel its classic colonial charm. Over the years, the hotel grew as more land was acquired to its present size by 1909. The Gardiner family has been involved in its management for over a century, ensuring ongoing restorations and preserving its heritage. The hotel has hosted notable guests including royalty, politicians, and famous authors, maintaining its status as a hallmark of colonial luxury and cultural history in Sri Lanka.