• Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple - Gangaramaya is among the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo, established by the renowned scholar monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera in the late 19th century.

Following the Venerable Sri Sumangala, his principal disciple Devundera Sri Jinaratana Nayake Thera assumed the temple’s administration. He laid the groundwork to transform the small temple into an institution of international significance.

The subsequent chief incumbent was Ven. Devundara Keerthi Sri Sumangala Jinaratana Vacissara Thera, mentor to Ven. Galboda Gnanissara, who contributed to making Gangaramaya more than just a traditional temple. It is now a place of worship, a center for learning, and a cultural hub.

• Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil - The Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Temple was constructed during British rule in Sri Lanka by Ponnambalam Mudaliyar, who sacrificed his life fighting for Sri Lanka’s independence and aimed to provide a place of worship for Hindus. Thus, a small temple was built, dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, showcasing ancient Dravidian architectural styles. In 1905, the temple was inherited by Ponnambalam Mudaliyar’s son, Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, a distinguished Ceylon Tamil lawyer, politician, and Solicitor-General of Ceylon. The Kovil seen today was built by Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan.
  This temple is one of the few solid granite temples still existing in the country. The temple is quite dim due to its stone construction, illuminated only by oil lamp flames. Upon entering through the wooden doors, synchronized chanting and bell sounds fill the air. The temple’s walls and stone pillars are intricately carved.

• Independence Memorial Hall - Independence Memorial Hall is a national monument in Sri Lanka, built to commemorate Sri Lanka’s independence from British rule, with the restoration of full governing responsibility to a Ceylonese-elected legislature on February 4, 1948.

• Pettah - Pettah is a neighborhood in Colombo, Sri Lanka, located east of the city center Fort. The Pettah neighborhood is renowned for the Pettah Market, a series of open-air bazaars and markets. It is one of Sri Lanka’s busiest commercial areas, hosting numerous wholesale and retail shops, buildings, commercial institutions, and other organizations.

The main market segment is designed like a massive crossword puzzle, where one can explore the entire market from dawn till dusk but may not cover every part of it.

Pettah is derived from Tamil: Pettai, an Anglo-Indian word indicating a suburb outside a fort. Today, the Sinhala phrase, pita-kotuwa (outside the fort), aptly describes the same place.

• Viharamahadevi Park - Viharamahadevi Park is a public park located in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, situated in front of the colonial-era Town Hall in Sri Lanka. It was established by the British colonial administration and is the oldest and largest park in Colombo.

• Ceylon Tea Supermarket - Ceylon tea is the brand of tea produced in Sri Lanka. Ceylon tea is not only a geographical indication but also a pillar of Sri Lankan culture, heritage, and identity. In 2019, Sri Lanka was the fourth-largest tea producer and the third-largest tea exporter in the world.

• Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque - While in the Pettah area, visit the city’s remarkable Red Mosque, formally known as the Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid. Built in the early 20th century, it makes a striking impression with its red and white stone minarets, topped with onion- and pomegranate-shaped domes. These towers give the building an almost Russian architectural feel. The style is called “Indo-Saracenic.”

The mosque is near the port, and its contrasting red and white colors made it a visual landmark for arriving ships. It’s particularly fascinating, as the red and white bricks are arranged in various patterns. Some swirl, some spiral, and other areas have alternating colors with a near optical illusion effect. Visitors, both men and women, are welcome to visit the mosque.

• Pettah Floating Market - Starting around the year 2000, this formerly industrial area of Colombo was redeveloped into a vibrant floating market with nearly 100 vendors. Pettah is centrally located in Colombo, about a five-minute drive from Fort.

The floating market is along a canal, lined with sidewalks and wooden boardwalks. They both line and cross the canal, creating a fun area for shopping, strolling, and people-watching. There is excellent street food here as well. It’s also a fruit and vegetable market. You can buy clothes, crafts, jewelry, and even electronics like phones.

Pettah Floating Market is open from 8 am to 8 pm; sunset is a great time to visit and take photos (around 5 pm).

• Old Town Hall - Hidden within the bustling Pettah Market lies the old town hall building of then Ceylon, concealed by hawker stalls. Built in 1873, this remarkable creation was designed by British architect J. G. Smither, who also crafted the furniture to match the building’s woodwork. The unique feature of this meticulously designed furniture is the chair backrests, which resemble the design of wooden arches in each window.

Town hall was the first civic building at the time to be opened in Colombo. Its architecture features Neo-gothic elements, with a predominance of pointed arches and cast iron columns. The building served as the municipal headquarters from 1873-1924 until it was relocated to a new premises in 1925.

• Cargills Department Store - In 1844, British businessman William Milne founded ‘Milne & Company’, general warehousemen, importers of oilman stores, etc., with branches in Kandy and Galle. In 1850, Milne was joined by his friend, David Sime Cargill, and the firm became ‘Milne, Cargill & Co’. In 1860, Milne retired from business in Ceylon and moved back to England to form a company in Glasgow to oversee Cargill & Co.’s business in the UK. Cargill became the sole partner until he was joined by David MacKenzie, and the name was changed to ‘Cargill & Co’. The company had a Colombo office at the intersection of Price and York Streets in Colombo Fort, a Kandy office at Upper Lake Road, and an office in Galle Fort at 22 Pedlar Street. The Galle office was closed down in 1863.

• President’s House - President’s House is the official residence and workplace of the President of Sri Lanka, located at Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Since 1804, it has been the residence of British governors, governors-general, and Sri Lankan presidents, previously known as the “King’s House” or the “Queen’s House” until Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972. There have been 29 governors who resided here, along with six presidents who have resided or used it in an official capacity. Currently, it is used by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka, for state functions. The Presidential Secretariat functions as the president’s office, with much of the presidential staff based there.

• Manning Market - Just east of Fort train station, Manning Market is abundant with everything grown in Sri Lanka. It’s the city’s wholesale fruit and vegetable center and is a paradise for banana lovers.

• Kayman’s Gate Belltower - Kayman’s Gate was an entrance to the former Colombo Fort, located at the foot of Wolvendaal Hill in the Pettah district of Colombo, Sri Lanka. A historic free-standing bell tower still stands at the site, now at the intersection of Main and 4th Cross Streets.

Read more about Colombo Morning & Evening Private City Tour by Tuk Tuk 2022 - https://www.viator.com/tours/Colombo/Morning-City-Tour/d4619-180602P2?mcid=56757

• Colombo Port Old Lighthouse - Colombo Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Colombo, Sri Lanka, operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. It is located at Galbokka Point, south of the Port of Colombo, on the waterfront along the marine drive in Colombo Fort.

• Colombo Fort Railway Station - Fort railway station is a major rail hub in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The station is served by Sri Lanka Railways, with numerous inter-city and commuter trains arriving daily. Fort Station is the main rail gateway to central Colombo and is the terminus for most intercity trains in the country.

• Christian Reformed Church of Sri Lanka - Wolvendaal Church is located in Pettah, a neighborhood of Colombo. It is one of the most significant Dutch colonial-era buildings in Sri Lanka and is one of the oldest Protestant churches still in use in the country.

• Private transportation
• Bottled water
• Lunch or Dinner

• Alcoholic beverages

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.