Colombo (, ;, ) is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo metropolitan area has a population of 5.6 million, and 752,993 in the Municipality. It is the financial centre of the island and a tourist destination. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to the Greater Colombo area which includes Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the legislative capital of Sri Lanka, and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia. Colombo is often referred to as the capital since Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is itself within the urban/suburban area of Colombo. It is also the administrative capital of the Western Province and the district capital of Colombo District. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life, colonial buildings and monuments. Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East–West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. It was made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, and its status as capital
Colombo (;, ) es la capital comercial y la ciudad más grande de Sri Lanka por población. De acuerdo con la Brookings Institution, el área metropolitana de Colombo tiene una población de 5,6 millones, y 752,993 en el Municipio. Es el centro financiero de la isla y un destino turístico. Se encuentra en la costa oeste de la isla y adyacente a la zona de Greater Colombo que incluye Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, la capital legislativa de Sri Lanka, y Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia. Colombo a menudo se refiere como la capital desde Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte se encuentra dentro de la zona urbana / suburbana de Colombo. También es la capital administrativa de la Provincia Occidental y la capital del distrito de Colombo. Colombo es una ciudad ocupada y vibrante con una mezcla de vida moderna, edificios coloniales y monumentos. Debido a su gran puerto y posición estratégica a lo largo de las rutas de comercio marítimo Oriente-Oeste, Colombo fue conocido por comerciantes de 2.000 años.