Colombo is a metropolitan city with a population of nearly one million. It is the commercial Capital of Sri Lanka, which keeps pace with modern developments while preserving the Old World charms. Among the many places of interest in the City are the Fort, the Old Parliament House (presently the Presidential Secretariat), Buddhist temples, Old Churches, Hindu temples, Mosques, the National Museum, Independence Hall, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall and the Zoological Gardens. ‘Five Star’ international chain hotels and a large number of other hotels and guest houses provide comfortable accommodation to the visitors at affordable prices. Several specialty restaurants serving international cuisine, karaoke bars, and discotheques keep the visitors happy late into the night.

Colombo is a city of restaurants. Although Chinese outlets dominate, there are several quaint theme café's worth a visit. The Cricket Club is a must for any fan of the sport and Wadiya, a beach side thatch restaurant serving perhaps the city's finest array of sea food is worth a mention. Colombo offers Japanese, Thai, Korean, Swiss, German, Indian, French, Italian and Arabic fare, as well as ice creams in many local flavours (mango, coconut).

Useful Web links on Colombo

Colombo City Guide (http://colombocityguide.com)

Sri Lanka Online (http://www.srilanka.com/colombo/colombo.php)

Travel Sri Lanka (http://ecosrilanka.xasia.lk/)

@SriLanka (http://www.atsrilanka.com/cityofcolombo.htm)