Colombo - Sri Lanka - page 128

bloom in March, April and early May. Elephants used for ceremonies sometimes spend the
night in the park, chomping on palm branches. It has been given a major sprucing up and
now boasts new benches (often occupied with caressing couples), walkways, landscaping
and playgrounds.
Saskia Fernando Gallery ART GALLERY
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 742 9010; www.saskiafernandogallery.com ;41 Horton Pl, Col 7;
10am-7pm)
Some of the best contemporary Sri Lankan artists are displayed in this white-washed com-
pound. Look for the huge elephant sculpture, created from old mechanical parts. The
namesake owner is the daughter of local design maven Shanth Fernando of Paradise Road
fame.
National Art Gallery ART GALLERY
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 106 Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Col 7; 9am-5pm)
The grandest thing about the National Art Gallery is its name. Next to the National Mu-
seum, it has a small collection of portraits and landscapes shown without labels or air-con-
ditioning.
Lionel Wendt Centre ARTS CENTRE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 269 5794; www.lionelwendt.org ;18 Guildford Cres, Col 7; 9am-1pm &
2-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-noon & 2-5pm Sat & Sun)
Has a constantly changing lineup of cultural events with regular art exhibitions as well as
performances. It's worth turning up just to see what's on.
Colombo Racecourse HISTORIC SITE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Phillip Gunawardena Mawatha)
Once the centre of harness racing in Colombo (and a WWII airfield), the landmark grand-
stands here now face a new rugby ground, while the buildings themselves house a large
collection of up-scale shops and cafes.
University of Colombo UNIVERSITY