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Photo: Rehman Abubakr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.Explore Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the official administrative capital of Sri Lanka. From an old royal fortress and a parliament on a lake island to lush wetlands, test your knowledge of this historic city!
First-Time Visitor 0–4 · Capital Explorer 5–8 · Honorary Kotte Expert 9–10
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Sri Lanka's Parliament stands on an island in the middle of Diyawanna Lake, which is why it is also known as Parliament Lake. The lake holds eight small islands in all, and the Diyatha Uyana park lies on its shore.
Photo: Rehman Abubakr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Lourenço de Almeida was blown off course by a storm and accidentally landed in Colombo, from where he sent envoys to meet the King of Kotte. This historic encounter marked the beginning of European colonial influence on the island. Local legend says the Portuguese were guided to Kotte along a winding, indirect route to hide the capital's true proximity to the coast.
Photo: Tancredi Scarpelli, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.
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Geoffrey Bawa, the pioneer of Tropical Modernism, designed the stunning parliament building to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape. He incorporated traditional Sri Lankan architectural elements, such as copper roofs and open pavilions, creating a masterpiece that appears to float on Diyawanna Lake. Bawa originally trained as a lawyer before turning to architecture.
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The University of Sri Jayewardenepura, originally founded as the Vidyodaya Pirivena in 1873, is one of the country's most prestigious higher education institutions. It was granted full university status in 1959 and moved to its spacious campus near Kotte. The university is highly regarded for its pioneering research in forestry and medical sciences.
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The Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya was built during the Kotte Kingdom, close to the royal palace. Every year it holds a perahera, a grand procession with dancers and decorated elephants in honour of the Buddha's Tooth Relic, which was once kept in Kotte. The procession was first held in 1415 and was revived in 1901.
Photo: L Manju, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Beddagana Wetland Park is a beautiful urban sanctuary designed to protect the local marshland ecosystem while offering peaceful walking trails. It is home to many migratory birds, butterflies, and the rare fishing cat, a nocturnal wild cat species. The park plays a crucial role in absorbing excess rainwater to prevent urban flooding.
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The fortress of Kotte was built by the chieftain Alakesvara in the 14th century to defend against attacks from the northern Jaffna Kingdom. He strategically chose a swampy area, creating a secure stronghold that eventually grew into a royal capital. Interestingly, the natural marshlands around the fort acted as a brilliant defense system, keeping invaders at bay for decades.
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King Parakramabahu VI was the last monarch to bring the entire island of Sri Lanka under a single rule, ushering in a golden age of literature and art. His long reign of over 50 years made Kotte a prosperous center of trade and culture. He was also a great patron of Buddhism, building several magnificent shrines.
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The Kotte Museum is the regional archaeological museum for Sri Lanka's Western Province, set in a historic house that once belonged to E. W. Perera. Its five rooms show finds from Kotte and the area around it, from coins, flags and clothing to statues, pottery and old swords.
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Kotte officially became the administrative capital in 1982 when the new parliament building was formally opened. While Colombo remains the commercial hub, Kotte serves as the political heart of the nation. This move revived a city that had previously been the royal capital of a powerful Sri Lankan kingdom centuries ago.
Photo: Rehman Abubakr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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