Explore Colombo Private City Tour, Sri Lanka

Meet at The Independence Square also Independence Commemoration Hall is a national monument in Sri Lanka built for commemoration of the independence of Sri Lanka from the British rule with the establishment of Dominion of Ceylon on February 4, 1948. It is located at the Independence Square (formally Torrington Square) in the Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo. It also houses the Independence Memorial Museum.

Start the journey by foot through the busy streets in Colombo. Stop to visit the Colombo National Museum. The Colombo Museum as it was called at the beginning was established on 1 st January 1877. It founder was Sir William Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) at the time. The Royal Asiatic Society (CB) was instrumental in bringing to the notice of Gregory on his appointment as Governor in 1872 the need for a public museum with much difficulty the approval of the legislative council was obtained within a year. The Architect of the Public Works Department, J.G. Smither was able to prepare the plans for new structure on Italian architectural style. The construction was completed in 1876 and the Museum commenced it functions in the following year. Walk through the Colombo’s biggest park - Viharamahadevi Park, originally called Victoria Park but renamed in the 1950s after the mother of King Dutugemunu. It’s notable for its superb flowering trees, which bloom in March, April and early May. Walk out from northeast where Colombo’s white-domed Old Town Hall and walk upto Gangarama Buddhist temple. This temple includes several imposing buildings and is situated not far from the placid waters of Beira Lake on a plot of land that was originally a small hermitage on a piece of marshy land. It has the main features of a Vihara, the Cetiya, the Bodhi tree, the Vihara Mandiraya, the Seema malaka(assembly hall for monks) and the Relic Chamber. In addition, a museum, a library, a residential hall, a three storied Pirivena, educational halls and an alms hall are also on the premises. Most notable for tourists is the architecture of the Simamalaka Shrine, which was built with donations from a Muslim sponsor to the design of Geoffery Bawa. Thereafter visit a catholic church and a Hindu Temple.

After visiting three different religious worship places walk through The Slave Island up to Galle Face Green. The name Slave Island was given during the period of British occupation and administration, and refers to the situation under Portuguese and Dutch administration when slaves were held there, most of them from Africa. Most of the slaves later returned to Africa. However, a very small group of African descendants are scattered throughout Sri Lanka and are collectively known as Sri Lankan Kaffirs.

Arrive at the Galle Face and walk through the Galle Face Green enjoying the fresh sea breeze passing the Old Parliament of Sri Lanka, The World Trade Centre towards the Pettah bazaar - where one can shop for bargain.

After a bargaining tour at the Pettah bazaar, walk to Colombo Fort Railway Station to enjoy a train ride to Kollupitiya Railway Station. Arrive at Kollupitiya Railway Station and transfer by Public Bus to Battaramulla – Diyawanawa Lake.

The new Parliament Building was built on an Island formed at the center of the Diyawanna Lake using dredging from the surrounding marshlands.

On the edge of the Diyawanna Lake is a place where you could sip a cocktail enjoying the best of nature. To end the day have a scrumptious meal at “The Broadwalk Restaurant”. Here you find a mix of variety of food available to suit your platter.