Visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka

1. Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is a bustling city with long history ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. From Bangkok, it will take you 3.5 hours by plane to Colombo.

2. Airport in Colombo is Bandaranaike International Airport also known as the Colombo International Airport, a hub of Srilankan Airlines.

3. Visa: Visa on arrival is available but lines are long. It is recommended that you get your visit visa from the Sri Lankan Embassy nearest you.  You may need to have a visa authorization from your contact in Sri Lanka for this purpose. d

4. Airport to City: It takes approximately 45 minutes from the airport to the city depending on the time of the day.  The airport taxi service operates a counter in the arrival lobby with a fleet of over 600 green vehicles.  It is recommended that you hire a private car with driver from the airport which will cost you approximately US$20.  You can get them from any of the car rental counters located at the right side of the exit door of the arrival terminal.  Try looking for Abans Tours or Europcar (they share the same counter). With Abans Tours, you can look for Mr. Rabasingke or all him at +94 773957951.

Take the expressway. You have two ways to go to the city: (1) by the express way (Colombo-Katunayake Expressway) where you pay LKR 300 (US$2.30) for toll; or (b) through the city streets which will take you longer due to the traffic.  It is recommended that you take the expressway and pay the toll. It will save you 30 minutes of travel time. Drivers speak English and accepts payments in US Dollars.

5.  Hotel: The Steuart by Citrus - No. 45, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 1; Tel. +94 11 5575 575; www.thesteuart.lk

The Steuart by Citrus in Colombo

Violet is the theme color of the hotel

A homey lobby with friendly staff

• considered as the newest 3.5-star boutique business hotel in Colombo located at the back entrance of the famous Dutch Hospital (Shopping Precint) which is just across the World Trade Center and a walking distance from Hilton Hotel and Galadari Hotel.
• Hotel was a colonial building that housed the headquarters of George Steuart and Co. Ltd, the country's oldest mercantile institution. This 8-floor hotel has 50 spacious and well decorated rooms with amenities of a modern hotel (flat TV, free wifi, free tea/coffee/mineral water, mini ref, min safe, iron and board, toiletries but without robe and slippers); it has a restaurant/coffeeshop
• It has a Scottish charm and theme color of the hotel is VIOLET
• Daily rate is LKR 10,409 or approx US$75 for a single room with breakfast (1US$ = LKR 140 as of October 2015)
• Hotel staff speak English and are very friendly.  Look for Mr. Ahamed Firdous, Executive Front Office Manager.  He can be reached at mobile +94 77 0070 203 or at work +94 11 5575 575
• Airport to hotel. No hotel service 

6. Old Colombo Dutch Hospital  (back entrance is right beside The Steuart Hotel)

• This is considered the oldest building in the Colombo Fort Area dating back during the Dutch colonial era. It is now a heritage building and a famous shopping and dining precinct.
• Art and craft shops are found inside the Dutch Hospital.  Try ODEL to shop for your souvenir items, including native garments and tea.

7. Restaurants to try

• The Ministry of Crab located at the Old Dutch Hospital (www.ministryofcrab.com)
• lunch 12noon to 3pm; dinner 6pm to 11 pm
• specializes on crabs and seafood cuisine (try chili garlic crab, served with freshly baked french bread and tea soda)
•  reservations needed (+94 11 234 2722) 
  
• The Bayleaf - 79 R G Senanayake Mawatha Colombo 7, Colombo 00700; Tel (94) 11 269 5920; www.bayleafcolombo.com
• Mon to Thu - 11am to 11pm; Friday-Sat 11pm to 12am
• great Italian restaurant
• I had a nice dinner here with my former intern at the ILO, Mariko.