The Western Province is one of the nine provinces of Sri Lanka, the first level administrative division of the country. The province is the most densely populated province in the country and is home to the legislative capital Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte as well to Colombo, the nation's administrative and business center.

Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte

Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, formerly Kotte, city and legislative capital of Sri Lanka. It is located in the southwestern part of the country, about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of the commercial capital of Colombo, of which it was once a suburb. An urban council governs Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte and the neighbouring town of Nugegoda.

Jayawardenapura Kotte is the administrative capital of Sri Lanka. The name translated into English means "the blessed fortress city of growing victory". It is not commonly regarded as a tourist area though some tourists visit the area out of curiosity and it is a popular place of residence for expats. There are a few hotels and other places that provide accommodation in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte and the area is well serviced by restaurants and shops.

Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, formerly Kotte, city and legislative capital of Sri Lanka. It is located in the southwestern part of the country, about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of the commercial capital of Colombo, of which it was once a suburb. An urban council governs Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte and the neighbouring town of Nugegoda. Despite the city’s urban character, it contains a number of rice paddies and plantations. As Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, it was the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom of Kotte from 1415 to 1565, largely owing to the lagoons, rivers, and swamps that still encircle it and provide a natural defense. Contemporary Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte is a planned urban site with government offices and residential housing. The parliament house and other legislative buildings are located on a small island in Lake Diyawanna Oya, situated in the midst of reclaimed swampland. Jayawardenepura Kotte is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious urban centre. Cricket is the most popular sport in this urban area as well as the country and is usually played in the grounds around the city.

It does not matter whether you are in Kotte for business, you can do a lot of fun activities here. Hit the beaches in Colombo or go scuba diving in the deep blue sea. There are so many beautiful attractions at your disposal. Visit Diyatha Uthayan, a waterfront park with a food court where you can enjoy delicious food with the amazing views of the colorful water fountain. Then, there is Diyawanna Lake, a beautiful wetland in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte where you get to enjoy the mesmerizing views of nature. Do not forget to visit the Sri Lankan Parliament building while you are in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte. If you like golfing, you could also visit Royal Colombo Golf Club, a distinguished golf club in the heart of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. Enjoy scoring a golf in the 18 holes. As far as architecture is concerned, you will find a number of distinctive buildings like Ranawana Royal Temple and Mahamevnawa Amawathura Monastery. Both these places are worth visiting during your trip to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte. The best time to visit Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is in summer only during the months of February to April. Enjoy the perfect weather to hit the beaches. You may feel a bit hot during the day but the evenings are perfect for an outing. Always carry an umbrella and put sunscreen on your skin to protect yourself from the harmful UV rays. After all, you are in a tropical country. The sun can be harsh in a few places, especially beaches.

Talangama Lake. Talangama Lake is a birdwatching area located on the outskirts of Colombo in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. Rich in biodiversity, this area is home to more than 70 species of birds. From wetland birds, butterfly species, fish to damselflies mammals, amphibians, reptiles and many terrestrial as well as aquatic plant species, the Talangama Lake bequeaths visitors with a unique opportunity to explore Sri Lanka’s eco-systems. Diyatha Uyana. Constructed on a marshy land on the banks of the Diyawanna Oya, Diyatha Uyana is one of the most picturesque places in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka. Essentially a park, it is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy some family time. Bequeathing tourists with a wonderful view of the lake, this park houses numerous food stalls, shops and places to relax. The primary attraction at the Diyatha Uyana is the floating restaurant which accommodates around 40-50 people at a time. Serving delicious food and offering a unique experience, this restaurant is one of the most popular spots in Sri Lanka.

Beddegana Wetland Park. Nestled within the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Bird Sanctuary, Beddegana Wetland Park is a wetland nature park occupying 18-hectares of land. Overlooking the shores of the Diyawanna Lake, this wetland park is home to many endemic birds, flowers and other faunal species such as butterflies, dragonflies as well as mammals which are native to Sri Lanka. If you are visiting this park during August to April, you are in for a special treat as this park attracts numerous migrant bird species during that season. Beddegana Wetland Park must be on your list of places to explore in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.

Church Of Our Lady Of Fatima. Church of Our Lady of Fatima is one of the renowned churches of Sri Lanka and it is fully dedicated to mother Mary. Main aim of this church is to fulfill the wish of Lord Jesus, offer him the truest worship through the power of Holy Spirit, and spread the love among the mass. Interior and exterior of Church of Our Lady of Fatima are nicely decorated with green and artistic sculptures. It not only hosts regular worships and events, but also runs Sunday schools and life groups. So if you want to convey your prayer to your beloved God in a peaceful ambience then you must visit Church of Our Lady of Fatima with your near and dear ones.

Colombo

Colombo is the largest city and the financial and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo remains both the commercial and financial capital of Sri Lanka even after the administrative capital has been moved to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a suburb east of the city. Colombo is a huge, sprawling city, which can be visited any time of year due to its tropical climate.

Situated on the west coast of the island, just south of the Kelani River, Colombo is a principal port of the Indian Ocean. It has one of the largest artificial harbours in the world and handles the majority of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade. The city’s manufacturing industries are based on the processing of raw materials exported through the port. General engineering industries are connected with public utilities and with the sale, service, repair, and assembly of motor vehicles and other machinery; light manufacturers process food, drinks, and tobacco. Colombo’s important buildings include the Secretariat, the Town Hall, the Clock Tower, St. Lucia’s Cathedral, and the Galle Face Hotel and also the residences of the head of state and of the prime minister. Numerous factories are located on the city’s periphery. Colombo has numerous parks and playing fields. Among them are the Galle Face Green by the sea, the Vihara Maha Devi Park, and the Ridgeway Golf Links. Cricket and football (soccer and rugby) grounds are located throughout the city; tennis and track events are also popular. Sea bathing and surfing can be enjoyed at Mount Lavinia Beach, which is about 7 miles (11 km) south of the city. The National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka are located at nearby Dehiwala. n Colombo you will experience tradition blending with progressive values with English being spoken widely.

In Colombo you can see The National Museum of Colombo. Also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum, it is the largest museum in Colombo. Among its exhibits, it contains regalia of the 17th century Kandyan Kings.The Natural History Museum, this museum features Sri Lanka's floral and fauna in dioramas. The Dutch Period Museum, historical museum documenting Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka. Houses Dutch-inspired artifacts. Galleries like The Sapumal Foundation, once home to the late Harry Pieris. Visitors are able to see his studio and art materials that have been left undisturbed over the years and The Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre, which provides a multi-functional creative experience with exhibitions, art shows and stage events.

You can visit Galle Face Green Promenade at sundown for a spectacular view. Go to the Colombo Zoological Gardens; Colombo's zoo has a wide variety of animals, birds, and reptiles from all over the world. Casa Serena Art Gallery, designed to exhibit a diverse array of art, photography, sculpture, video installations and craft. Turtle Conservation Villa, a non-profit centre for the conservation of turtles along the coast just past Mount Lavinia Hotel. Cirque Lanka, more than 15 performers on stage, live music, drummers, traditional masks, acrobats, aerial acrobatics and fire effects.

You can also shop at The Pettah Market, this is the place to go for shopping for all kinds of things from fruits to clothes to electronics if you want to buy at wholesale prices. You have to bargain extensively and it is recommended that you take a local you trust along with you.

In Colombo, root out bargains in the Pettah market, marvel at the blossoms in the Vihara Maha Devi Park between March and early May, and sample the offerings of some of the country’s best restaurants. Vel Festival which takes place during July and August in the capital, is also spectacular. Cricket is plated on every scrap of land in Sri Lanka, but the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is probably the best place to catch a few overs. This vast international stadium hosts some of the biggest matches played in the country.

The most diverse array of bars, clubs and music venues can be found in Colombo, where seedy cattle market-style clubs are slowly being replaced by upmarket cocktail lounges, tapas bars and hip discos. For visitors looking for a more relaxed after-dinner experience, there are theatres in Colombo, cinemas showing films from the USA, ballet, concerts and theatre productions. All the hotels and resorts have bars and sometimes entertainment.

Most holidays start in the southwest part of the map of Sri Lanka; in Colombo. This city offers a view into the history of Sri Lanka; there are pre-colonial buildings, as well as colonial buildings from the times of the Dutch and the British. The modern skyscrapers show that the economic progress was not stunted by decolonisation. This port town has existed since the beginning of the era and became the capital of the country in 1815. In 1982, Sri Jayewardenapura Kotte (Kotte) was declared the new capital of Sri Lanka. These days, Colombo functions as the commercial capital of the country, while Kotte is the official, administrative capital, where the parliament is also situated.

xplore Old City Hall The tourists can witness the age-worn trucks, vintage radio, age old typewriters and other municipal equipment by visiting the museum situated at the ground floor of this historical landmark. While cherishing the beauty of the artefacts treasured in this building, don’t forget to admire the architectural structures adorned with some fine wax figures. Visiting the architectural building in May can be a great experience for history buffs as they’ll be able to explore and cherish the long history in extreme peace and solace.

Visit Beira Lake Literally located in the heart of Colombos city centre, the Beira Lake stretches for about 1 mile and covers a good amount of about 160 acres of surface area. Once a reservoir and source of transport to trade goods within the country, Beira Lake today, is one of the most fascinating and fun places to visit in Colombo.

Diving In Gorgonian Gardens Sri Lanka is a great tourist spot for adventure seekers. The clear waters make for great diving spots. It is one of the activities that attract tourists from all across the globe. Gorgonian Gardens in Colombo is an amazing dive site to watch coral reefs. It is no doubt one of the most unique things to do in Sri Lanka. If you are visiting Colombo, then we'd say that it is one of the must things to do in Sri Lanka.

White Water Rafting One of the top water activities in Sri Lanka, White Water rafting offers a fun-packed experience. Kelani river is famous for white water rafting where you will get to raft through the rapids and minors of the water. If you are visiting Sri Lanka with friends or family, this is one thing you must do!

Scuba Diving The warm water ensures the perfect time for a Scuba diving adventure in the month of May. The beautiful blue waters of Sri Lanka are adorned with a plethora of marine creatures. Scuba Diving is totally worth in Colombo, with a cool breeze adorning your face right before you jump in is beyond ultimate bliss. Best time to take up Scuba Diving in Sri Lanka is probably in this month May. If you are planning to head to the northeastern coast, May to October are the ideal months to take up some Scuba Diving. While for those in west and south-west coast, October to May is advisable time period and dictates the remaining seasons.

Other districts:
Gampaha
Kalutara

List of their towns:
Gampaha: Nittambuwa, Wattala, Ja-ela, Negombo and Veyangoda
Kalutara: Panadura, Beruwala, Aluthgama, Horana and Matugama