Colombo Bandaranaike Airport: Colombo's international airport is at Katunayake, close to Negombo, on the coast north of Colombo. The journey to Colombo will take about an hour by taxi or by bus. There are private, air conditioned mini buses from Katunayake airport to Colombo fort could take anything between an hour and fifteen to two hours. The bus will stop at major town en route.

The best time to visit Colombo is from December to March.

Colombo is well served by bus routes, which cover some 80% of the country. Intercity buses are most comfortable, taxis are cheap and far more comfortable than buses. Taxis can be flagged down or tend to hang around outside of hotels. Very few taxis have air-conditioning and meters. There are also a number of auto-rickshaws in the city.

There is a comprehensive rail network, comprising of nine lines that link Colombo with most major population and industrial centers. Main routes from Colombo include the Intercity Express (ICE) trains to Kandy and Galle. Reservations are essential on these trains and can be made the day before travel at Fort Railway Station, or through a local travel agent.

There is air service to and from Colombo, provided by the national airline Sri Lankan Airlines. Flights are available from origins throughout Europe, United States, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. Other airlines, include Qatar Airlines and Emirates.

Sri Lankan culture is a rich blend of the interaction of diverse cultural patterns both indigenous and derived from, trade, religions, as well as, western colonization. The overall culture is largely the result of the impact of the introduction of Buddhism.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara: It is a famous Buddhist temple and is believed to be at the spot where the Buddha preached 2000 years ago. It has an excellent carving of a reclining Buddha, and is the site for an annual perahera (religious procession) in January.

Wolvendaal Church: It is Colombo's oldest Dutch church. Its floor tiles are made from tombstones from the Dutch church in the Fort, and were brought here in 1813.

Hindu Temples: There are several Hindu temples, which are called Kovils in Colombo. In the sea street in Colombo are several Hindu temples, the Ganeshan, the Old Kathiresan and the New Kathiresan with their colourful Gopurams (doorways). Other important temples are the Shiva Subramania Swami temple on Slave Island and the Sri Muthumariamman temple.

       - Foreigners should carry their passport at all times.
       - Reservations are essential on rail services.
       - You will need an international driving license.

80 Galle Road, Columbo 3
Phone: 2437059, 2437060, 2437055

Sri Lankan Air Lines
Level 19-22 East Tower, WTC,
Echelon Square, Colombo 1
Telephone Number: 0735555

Colombo International Airport
Katunayake: Telephone: 252861,255555
Tourist Information (Airport) 252411

Buddhist Information Centre 50
Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha,
Colombo 7, Tel. 573285

Cinnamon Gardens Branch
No 4A, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07

Nations trust bank
City Branch
No 76, York Street, Colombo 01.

Nations trust bank
Colpetty Branch
No 435, Galle Road, Colombo 03.

Nations trust bank
Corporate Branch
No 242, Union Place, Colombo 02.

Indian Bank
Domestic Banking Unit
No.57, Sir Baron Jayatilleke Mawatha
Fort, Colombo 01
Sri Lanaka.

Indian Bank
Foreign Currency Banking Unit
No.57, Sir Baron Jayatilleke Mawatha
Fort, Colombo 01
Sri Lanaka.

Union Bank of Colombo Ltd.
15A Alfred Pl., Colombo,  3
Sri Lanka.

    Must visit the historic and religious places of colombo which tells the story of kings who stayed in colombo.
     Must visit the shopping mall which offers world famous ceylon tea, clothing and jewelry including the Sri Lankan blue sapphire.