Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The 50-acre University of Colombo campus, which originally opened as the Ceylon Med-
ical School in 1870, is surrounded by long tree-lined avenues lined with colonial-era man-
sions. Of note is Cumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha along the southwest side of the sporting
green. Ponder the gracious lives of the people who built the Italianate Baroque
Saifee
Independence Memorial Hall
MONUMENT
Really a large memorial building to Sri Lanka's 1948 independence from Britain, the huge
stone edifice is loosely based on Kandy's Audience Hall. This is a good place to escape
Colombo's crowds as it always seems almost empty.
Southern Colombo
South of Kollupitiya and Cinnamon Gardens is more of the same, only less so. The com-
mercial strip of Galle Rd continues south through Bambalapitiya and Wellawatta. Inland,
Havelock Town is a more relaxed version of Cinnamon Gardens. It has several midrange
hotels. The one area here with buzz is
Pamankade
, which has some interesting shops and
cafes along Stratford Ave.
Traditional Puppet Art Museum
MUSEUM
500, performances vary; 9am-5pm, call first)
Puppet shows were long a part of traditional entertainment in Sri Lankan villages. Per-
forming troupes would stage shows with intricate plots that lasted for hours. This engaging
museum keeps the traditional puppet arts alive. Dozens and dozens of colourful puppets -
some quite huge - are displayed. Many are surprisingly animated even when still.
Call to arrange a performance (or to get directions). It's about 200m east of Galle Rd,
about midway between Wellawatta and Mt Lavinia.