Aptly described as ‘Little Rome’ because of its considerable Catholic population and the plethora of churches and shrines, Negombo is a modest beach town north of Colombo. The British-era neoclassical St. Mary’s Church, with its ceiling decorated with vivid religious paintings, stands out as a landmark edifice. The 17th century Dutch Fort and the Dutch-era Hamilton Canal in this waterfront tourist destination are legacies left behind by Dutch invaders who captured most coastal areas from the Portuguese in then Ceylon. The placid Negombo Lagoon is famous among fun-seekers for boating and pleasure rides.
Negombo
