Colombo Lighthouse

Colombo Lighthouse is a Lighthouse in Colombo in Sri Lanka and it is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. It is located at Galbokka Point south of the Port of Colombo on the waterfront along the marine drive, in Colombo fort.

The lighthouse was built in 1952 after the Old Colombo Lighthouse was deactivated when its light became obscured by nearby buildings as part of the Colombo Harbor Expansion project. It was opened by Rt Hon D.S. Senanayake the first prime minister of Ceylon. Built on a concrete base which is 12 meters high it has four statues of lions at its base.

Due to the panoramic view of the Indian Ocean it offered, it became on city landmark. With the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War public access to the site was restricted. This was due to its placement in a high security zone as it is across the street from the Naval Headquarters and close proximity of the Port of Colombo.

Gun salute

Located on at its base is a naval gun battery that is used by the Sri Lanka Navy for its traditional gun salutes. By tradition the Navy accords a 25 gun salute to the nation on the National day which is the 4th February each year. It began with HMCyS Vijaya of the Royal Ceylon Navy, the first warship of the navy according a 25 gun salute on February 4, 1951 with its single 4" gun.

In 1952 two 4" guns where brought from the United Kingdom in preparation of the Royal visit of Princess Elizabeth, which did not occur as she return half way due to the death of her father the King. Since then the guns are mounted at the lighthouse and fires the gun salute. Three more 52-mm guns were added in 2000 as gifts from the Indian Navy which now fire the gun salutes.

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Ghassan Alkharboush
28 June 2017
View of the sea is obstructed by laborers working on expanding coast line for so called "new Colombo"
Andy
30 March 2014
It's basically ruined now :-( with the new development and the proposed shopping complex you will not have the old light house and it's own dutch touch going forward...
Azman Ziyad
11 April 2014
To look at the sky whl counting the stars in the light of the moon and chill with the best people u Eva wnt......
Genki Tamura
9 May 2018
Ocean view from this lighthouse was great
Surath Perera
17 April 2015
Really decent place ... Prices are reasonable
Josh Gellers
27 June 2017
Currently undergoing construction.
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0.2km from Chaithya Road, Colombo 00100, Sri Lanka Get directions
Thu 11:00 AM–Noon
Fri 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
Sat 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
Sun 24 Hours
Mon 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tue 24 Hours

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