Colombo is a big city without much interest for tourism. Noisy and polluted, it does not really offer many cultural sites. Nearby, you will find some holiday towns such as Mount Lavinia or Negombo.
You can only stay in the region before taking your flight or just after arriving, to relax for a day and then leave for different areas.
The district of Pettah (which means "outside of the fort") deserves a visit for its lively streets, particularly Main Street and its shops, markets, its beautiful hotel façades and its Hindu temples, heavily loaded with and colorful decorations. The area of the fort is dominated by the two towers rising 34 floors of the World Trade Center and the Clock Tower, a former lighthouse. The most animated streets are Chatham Street and York Street. On Queen Street, the old post office is an imposing white mass in front of the former residence of British governors.
Avoid talking about politics or about the conflicts taking place in the north with the Tamils .
Rice and the curry remain the main dish of the island. You can eat spicy and delicious food. You can also try many dishes with a coconut base. The soups are very good and often based on lentils. As for meat, chicken and goat are most often cooked. The fish is also very present. For dessert,don't miss the choice of exotic fruits, bananas, papayas, coconut, pineapples, mangoes.