Colombo - Sri Lanka - page 127

Colombo's vivid white and domed 1928 Old Town Hall ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; FR Sen-
anayaka Mawatha, Col 7) (White House) overlooks the area's heart, Viharamahadevi Park. To
the south is the striking Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre , which opened in
2011.
National Museum MUSEUM
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 269 4767;Albert Cres, Col 7;adult/child Rs 250/150; 9am-6pm, last
entrance 5pm)
A large 9th-century stone Buddha greets you with an enigmatic smile as you enter Sri
Lanka's premier cultural institution. In galleries dating back as far as 1877, you'll en-
counter all manner of art, carvings and statuary from Sri Lanka's ancient past, as well as
swords, guns and other paraphernalia from the colonial period. There are fascinating 19th-
century reproductions of English paintings of Sri Lanka, and an excellent collection of an-
tique demon masks.
Look for the magnificent royal throne made for King Wimaladharma in 1693, as well as
the 9th-century bronze Bodhisattva Sandals. The grounds are shaded by magnificent ban-
yan trees.
De Soysa (Lipton) Circus LANDMARK
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; De Soysa (Lipton) Circus, Col 7)
One corner of this bustling roundabout is occupied by the popular Odel department store.
Opposite is the Cinnamon Gardens Baptist Church ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; De Soysa
(Lipton) Circus, Col 7) , which dates to 1877. Located just south of the church is the Dewata-
Gaha Mosque ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Alexandra Pl, Col 7) , a rambling structure dating to
1802 that bustles with people following the Friday afternoon prayers. Meanwhile, the
ragtag confection of red and white bricks that was once the Eye Hospital ( MAP
GOOGLE MAP ;De Soysa (Lipton) Circus, Col 7) now houses the Coroner's Court while awaiting
its own rescue from fate.
Viharamahadevi Park PARK
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Col 7)
Colombo's biggest park was originally called Victoria Park but was renamed in the 1950s
after the mother of King Dutugemunu. It's notable for its superb flowering trees, which