Introduction to Colombo: Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka, the island nation down south of India. It is also the commercial hub of the country. It lies southwest of the nation on the shores of Indian Ocean. Comfortable blend of east and west, cosy mixture of the past and present are the fascinating features of this port city whose international airport is 34 kms away.

Sightseeing: Attractions worth seeing in Colombo are Buddhists temples, Hindu temples, Mosques, Christian churches, Parliament Building, Parks, Zoo, Museums and Art Galleries.

Museums- National Museum situated within Colombo in Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, is the first public Museum to be established in Sri Lanka. Best known for its collection of antiques and artifacts displaying the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka, the museum has a section on the Puppetry and Children's Museum. It also houses a library with a collection of about 500,000 books including very valuable and rare ones and more than 4,000 ancient palm leaf manuscripts.

The Dutch Period Museum housed in the old `Dutch House' on the Prince Street, Pettah in Colombo was built in the latter part of the 17th century. It displays the Dutch legacy with the artifacts such as furniture, ceramics, coins, arms etc.

Art Galleries -The Art Gallery at Dr Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo, caters largely to the conservative taste in painting. The Lionel Wendt Art Gallery at Guildford Crescent, Colombo, displays contemporary paintings. Kalagaraya, the permanent art gallery of the Alliance Francaise de Colombo, displays a representative collection of contemporary art. The Sapumal Foundation Gallery at Barnes Place, Colombo, displays and sells Sri Lankan paintings from 1920 onwards.