Colombo, the capital and economic hub of Sri Lanka is a picturesque and vibrant city. The heart of the city was a fort earlier - though there is no sign of that today. Instead you find the entire area made up of modern structures made of marble, concrete and glass. There are some landmark buildings here including the Janadhipahi Mandiraya which is the residence of the President. There are quite a few Buddhist temples in the city and the principal one is the Gangaramaya Temple, near the Beira Lake. Yet another key temple close to Colombo is the Kelani Raja Maha Viharaya which is one of the three sites in the island where Lord Buddha is supposed to have visited. The temple is renowned for its fascinating wall and ceiling paintings. Colombo is also home to many Hindu temples including the famous New Kathiresan and Old Kathiresan temples, which draw a host of visitors, both from within and outside Sri Lanka. The Grand Mosque in Pettah is a super structure and arguably the most important mosque in Sri Lanka. While in Colombo, one must visit the National Zoo that is supposed to be one of the largest zoos in Southern Asia.

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