Colombo, Sri Lanka's largest city and de facto commercial capital, is a vibrant financial hub and popular tourist destination located on the island's west coast. It served as the island's capital after being ceded to the British Empire in 1815, retaining this status upon independence in 1948, until administrative functions shifted in 1978, officially designating it the commercial capital. The name 'Colombo' was introduced by Portuguese explorers in 1505, believed to derive from the classical Sinhala 'Kolon thota' (meaning 'port on the river Kelani').

Historically a key trading port for Arabs by the 8th century AD, the city's rich colonial legacy, starting with the Portuguese fort in 1517, is evident in its blend of modern life and historic architecture. This includes significant areas like the "Fort," which once housed the Portuguese capital, and the bustling "Pettah" commercial hub immediately outside it.