
科伦坡市
科伦坡是斯里兰卡的首都,是一座充满活力的城市,融合了传统与现代。它拥有殖民时期的建筑、热闹的市场和宁静的佛教寺庙。科伦坡拥有多元化的美食、不断延伸的天际线和美丽的海滩,是充满活力的商业、文化和旅游中心,也是探索斯里兰卡奇观的门户。
Independence Memorial Hall
A place to Remember
Independence Memorial Hall in Sri Lanka is mostly popular as a recreational venue for joggers, strolling couples, students from the nearby university and families looking for a refreshing reprieve from the urban environment of Colombo. Independence Memorial Hall is located in the Independence Square at Colombo 7. This place is known as Torrington Square in early days. This Hall was built for the commemoration of the independence from British in 1948. The hall was built at the location where the formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule, with the opening of the first parliament by the HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurring at a special podium February 4, 1948.
This Hall is based on the architecture of the Audience Hall( Magul Maduwa) located in Kandy. The column and pillers are decorated with traditional Sri Lankan designs and statues of lions are placed around the building. Most of the visitors had missed the museum located in the basement of the Independence Memorial Hall. This was recently renovated and displays many statues of the national heroes, who contributed to the fight for freedom from British government.
Independence Memorial Hall in Sri Lanka: Design
Every architectural square inch of this monument is filled with lavish symbols of the island’s rich history and political freedom. At the entrance to the building is an imposing statue of D.S. Senanayake, Sri Lanka’s first prime minister, surrounded by four menacing stone lions with protruding eyes. These feral guardians were recreated from the lion statues of the 13th century Yapahuwa kingdom. The most prominent feature of the monument, the assembly hall, was inspired by the “Magul Maduwa,” the royal court of the King of Kandy, the last kingdom on the island. Incidentally, it was at the Magul Maduwa that the Kandyan chieftains handed over the island’s sovereignty to the British throne in 1815.
The exterior of the assembly hall is decorated with “Punkalasas,” pots of plenty, which signify wealth and prosperity. The interior of the hall is supported by 60 pillars adorned with famous Embekke wood carvings from the 14th century Gampola kingdom. Made to the request of Premiere Senanayaka, who commissioned the building, it is said that he wanted a monument “worthy of this country’s long and impressive history.” Some of Sri Lanka’s most prominent architects labored over a number of sketches before the scrupulous premier granted his approval, making the Independence Memorial Hall one of the most meticulously designed buildings in the Colombo metropolis and even the whole country.
The Independence Memorial Hall is the ideal choice for those seeking a quick, relaxing getaway in the city. Much like the freedom it represents there are no entrance fees or stifling crowds; just the serenity and elegance of this historic monument and the freedom to explore and learn.
Recreational activities
Independence Square remains one of the nicest places to relax in Colombo, especially in the evenings. In addition to the memorial hall itself, there’s also the huge sprawling green lawn outside, the memorial museum and a number of cafes and shopping malls in the vicinity with easy access. It’s a favorite spot for joggers in the mornings and evenings. So much so that it’s easy to catch anybody taking a walk here at some point, from school kids to aunties to even President himself. There’s plenty of well-kept garden all around Independence Square and lovely clean paved pathways that run between. It cad definitely be said that besides Marine Drive or the beach, Independence Square is the best place in the city for some morning/evening exercise. There’s a free gym here and even a corner where you can rent a bicycle.
The Museum
On the inner end of the memorial hall that faces those square pools of water, you’ll find a brown door that leads to an eerily quiet memorial museum. It is quite hidden and your sure to miss it if you don’t play close attention. Check it out for stone busts of all those who fought for Sri Lanka’s independence, headed by leader of the Uva rebellion of 1818 himself; Monaravila Keppatipola Nilame. Independence Square is a pretty nice place, and thankfully it has been maintained well for as long as we can remember. It’s not just a historical space now but also a recreational park with an immaculate lawns, some food options and plenty of room for exercising and relaxing.
关于科伦坡区
科伦坡是斯里兰卡最大的城市和商业中心,位于岛屿西海岸,毗邻斯里兰卡首都斯里贾亚瓦德纳普拉科特。科伦坡是一座繁忙而充满活力的城市,融合了现代生活、殖民时期的建筑和遗址,城市人口为647,100人。科伦坡都会区由科伦坡、加姆珀哈和卡卢特勒三个区组成,人口估计为5,648,000人,占地面积3,694.20平方公里。科伦坡是一座多民族、多文化的城市,也是斯里兰卡人口最多的城市,市区内居住着642,163人。科伦坡的人口由多个民族组成,主要包括僧伽罗人、摩尔人和泰米尔人。城内还居住着一些小型社区,包括华人、葡萄牙人、荷兰人、马来人和印度人,以及众多欧洲侨民。绝大多数斯里兰卡企业的总部都设在科伦坡。这些企业涉及的行业包括化工、纺织、玻璃、水泥、皮革制品、家具和珠宝。市中心坐落着南亚第二高的建筑——世界贸易中心。
关于西部省
西部省是斯里兰卡人口最稠密的省份。立法首都斯里贾亚瓦德纳普拉科特和国家行政及商业中心科伦坡均位于此。西部省分为三个主要区:科伦坡区(642平方公里)、加姆珀哈区(1,386.6平方公里)和卡卢特勒区(1,606平方公里)。作为斯里兰卡的经济中心,所有大型本土和国际企业都在此设立办事处,所有主要的设计师品牌和商业街零售商也都在此设立,所以准备好在西部省尽情享受购物的乐趣吧。西部省是斯里兰卡人口最多的省份,岛上几乎所有顶尖的教育机构都位于这里。该省的大学包括科伦坡大学、斯里贾亚瓦德纳普拉大学、凯拉尼亚大学、斯里兰卡开放大学、斯里兰卡佛教与巴利语大学、约翰·科特拉瓦拉将军国防大学和莫拉图沃大学。西部省拥有全国最多的学校,包括国立学校、省立学校、私立学校和国际学校。