The Sri Lankan commercial capital Colombo is a vibrant city- alive with the usual mix of noisy pedestrians and vehicles that is found in any Asian city. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle are numerous places of beauty – some apparent, while others lie hidden, waiting to be discovered by discerning travellers.

A key feature of Colombo 's landscape is the Galle Face Green – a stretch of greenery bordered by the sea. It is a popular destination for the young and the old – and people throng to the spot in the evenings to jog, fly kites or just throw a ball around. At one end of Galle Face, a row of canons stand sentinel with their muzzles facing the sea, a remnant of the colonial period when the city stood guard against foreign invaders. The regal brown stoned buildings of the former National State Assembly (popularly known as the Old Parliament) are also situated here.

A short walk away is the Fort – Colombo 's commercial epicentre. The most striking aspect of the Fort is its colonial architecture – with stately buildings lining both sides of the streets.

Another aspect of Colombo is its multi-religious flavour – with Buddist temples, Hindu kovils and Christian churches found within short distances of one another. The country's new Parliament is also worth a visit, simply for its spectacular location. Situated in the midst of a lake, the Parliament is an architectural masterpiece.

Just outside Colombo is the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya – a Buddhist temple whose history dates back to the time of Sri Lanka 's ancient royalty. The temple is built on a spot that is said to have been visited by the Lord Buddha.