sri-lanka-13-full-pdf-ebook.pdf

Colombo
Colombo

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Colombo

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1 Pettah

Immediately inland from Fort, the bustling

bazaar of Pettah is one of the oldest districts

in Colombo and one of the most interesting

places to spend a few hours. It is the most

ethnically mixed place in the country. Large

religious buildings represent a plethora of

faiths, while more earthly pursuits can be

found in market stalls and shops selling

seemingly everything.

The crowds in Pettah can become over-

whelming during the morning and late-

afternoon rush hours but the streets are

still thronged during most daylight hours.

Vendors hurrying with carts piled high with

impossible loads, zooming three-wheelers,

cars trying to fit down narrow lanes and

people rushing hither and yon can make

for an exhausting experience. Your best

bet is to find a shady spot out of traffic and

just observe the timeless swirl around you.

Wolfendhal Lane is a typical side-street

refuge: wander past its pirated-DVD and

textile stores and exchange gentle ‘hellos’

with the locals.

Pettah Markets MARKETS

(Col 11) The concentrated and manic com-

merce of Pettah is concentrated even fur-

ther in its markets. The one not to miss is

the Federation of Self Employees Market

(Map p60; off Olcott Mawatha, Col 11; h7am-4pm),

which stretches along 5th Cross St and is a

hive of household goods and food. Admire

the artful displays of fruit and veg, like the

pyramids of limes.

Just east of Fort train station, Manning

Market (Map p60; Olcott Mawatha, Col 11; h6am-

2pm) is ripe with everything grown in Sri

Lanka. It’s the city’s wholesale fruit and veg

centre and is a monkey’s dream of bananas.

The modernised Central Market (Map p60;

Market St, Col 11; h7am-3pm) lacks the charm

of the others.

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PETTAH

(COL 11)

FORT

(COL 1)

Bandaranaike

Quay

South Beira Lake

Harbour

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Secretariat Halt
Train Station
Colombo
Fort
Central Bus
Station
Bastian
Mawatha Bus Station
Saunders
Pl Bus
Station
World
Trade
Center
5
4
11
3
16
14
21
26
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Federation of
Self Employees
Market
Dutch Period
Museum
Old Dutch
Hospital
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Colombo Fort & Pettah