Colombo

In November 1505, a fleet led by Portuguese explorer Lourenço de Almeida arrived in Colombo. This marked the beginning of European influence in Sri Lanka. The Portuguese were initially interested in controlling the spice trade, and they established a trading post in Colombo, where they built a small fort. This was the first European foothold in Sri Lanka and marked the beginning of centuries of European colonial influence. The Portuguese presence in Colombo was primarily driven by their quest for the valuable spices for which Sri Lanka was famed.

On February 15, 1796, the British captured Colombo from the Dutch during the Napoleonic Wars. At that time, the Dutch were allied with the French, and the British were expanding their colonial influence in the region. The capture of Colombo by the British marked the beginning of British rule in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), which lasted until 1948. Colombo became an important administrative and military center under British rule, leading to significant developments in the city's infrastructure and governance.

On February 4, 1948, the British colony of Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka, gained independence as a Dominion within the British Commonwealth. Colombo, as the capital city, played a central role in the transition to self-rule. The event was marked by celebrations in Colombo, with the lowering of the British flag and the raising of the new national flag of Ceylon. The country's first Prime Minister, D. S. Senanayake, played a significant role in negotiations for independence, ushering in a new era for the island nation.

The Black July riots began on July 23, 1983, in Colombo and quickly spread throughout Sri Lanka. The violence was sparked by an ambush carried out by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), which killed 13 Sinhalese soldiers. In response, anti-Tamil riots erupted in Colombo, with mobs attacking homes and businesses belonging to Tamils. The riots resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Tamils and the displacement of thousands. This event marked a significant escalation in the Sri Lankan Civil War, highlighting deep ethnic tensions.

On December 26, 2004, a massive undersea earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra triggered a tsunami that devastated coastal areas across the Indian Ocean, including Sri Lanka. In Colombo, the tsunami caused widespread destruction of infrastructure and loss of life, leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. The disaster prompted a global humanitarian response, with aid pouring in to help rebuild the affected areas. The event highlighted the region's vulnerability to natural disasters and spurred efforts to improve tsunami warning systems.

On May 18, 2009, the Sri Lankan Civil War came to an end after the Sri Lankan military declared victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The final stages of the conflict were heavily concentrated in the north of the country, but Colombo played a crucial role as the center of government operations and international diplomacy during the war. The end of the 26-year conflict was marked by celebrations in Colombo, alongside international calls for reconciliation and accountability for human rights abuses committed during the war.

Colombo hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from November 15 to 17, 2013. This was a significant event for Sri Lanka, as it was the first time the Commonwealth summit was held in the country. Leaders from the 53 Commonwealth nations gathered in Colombo to discuss economic development, climate change, and human rights. The event drew international attention, highlighting Sri Lanka's post-war recovery progress and its challenges, particularly in areas such as reconciliation and human rights.

On April 21, 2019, Colombo was the site of a series of coordinated terrorist attacks targeting churches and hotels, which took place during Easter celebrations. Suicide bombers from the militant Islamist group National Thowheeth Jama'ath carried out the attacks, killing over 250 people, including many foreigners. The bombings were among the deadliest acts of violence in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war and prompted widespread condemnation. The attacks led to significant anti-terrorism operations and a state of emergency in the country.

On March 20, 2020, Colombo, like much of the world, went into lockdown to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sri Lanka's government implemented strict measures, including curfews and travel bans, to control the virus. Colombo, being the capital and most populous city, was central to these efforts, serving as the hub of governmental response and healthcare coordination. The pandemic prompted a range of public health and economic challenges, leading to significant impacts on daily life and Sri Lanka's economy.

On July 9, 2022, Colombo was the epicenter of mass protests against the Sri Lankan government due to the country's economic crisis. Protesters, angry over mismanagement and corruption that led to severe shortages and inflation, stormed key government buildings, including the Presidential Secretariat. The unrest in Colombo captured international attention as a dramatic expression of public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the economy and governance issues. These protests were part of a larger movement of civil unrest across the country.