A Tourist’s Visit to Colombo Not Complete Without Galle Face Green

Galle Face Green one of Colombo’s most iconic locations is becoming increasingly busy by Friday Evening.

The sun is slowly setting down, welcoming the start of a vibrant weekend.

The historic Galle Face Green, built in 1859 by the then British Governor of Ceylon, Sir Henry George Ward, is gradually coming alive with its unmistakable Friday evening energy.

People from all walks of life gather at the Green to enjoy the arrival of the weekend.

Twenty-seven-year-old Rashmika and 24-year-old Shemala arrived at the Green around 6.30 p.m.

“We are here for the evening and have been coming here for the last three months since we became lovers,” giggled Shemala while speaking to this writer.

“We both love street food, and this is one place where you can find fresh and affordable food,” added Rashmika.

Nearby, a family of five had just stepped out of a “Matador,” a vehicle that remains popular in Sri Lanka.

Three children, probably between the ages of five and twelve, ran enthusiastically onto the Green.

The parents appeared ready to settle in for the evening as they spread out a mat and sat down while the children began playing.

Ice cream vendors of various kinds moved around honking their horns to attract the attention of the crowd, while an air balloon seller slowly passed by.

Street Food Culture

Smoke billowed from the long line of food vendors at Galle Face Green selling a variety of delicious local favourites such as roti, parata, wade, and many more.

Crowds surrounded the small food carts and stalls, either waiting to collect pre-ordered meals or standing in line to place new orders.

Not only Sri Lankans, but also a large number of foreigners could be seen walking around the Green, enjoying the cool breeze drifting in from the Indian Ocean.

Standing along the promenade overlooking the sea, one can spot the brightly lit Colombo Port complex to the right.

In the same direction, the emerging Port City Colombo can also be seen, a development expected to become a major regional hub in the future.

Gabriel Daniels from the United Kingdom was walking along the platform overlooking the ocean while admiring the view.

“This place looks brilliant. This city looks brilliant. It’s one of the best places I have seen in the Asian region,” Daniels said, while his wife and two children stood beside him.

A software engineer by profession, Daniels is touring Sri Lanka before heading to the Maldives.

About Galle Face Green

A product of the British colonial era in Sri Lanka, the area was initially used for horse racing, golf, military exercises, cricket, rugby, and polo.

In its early days, the grounds were known as the Colpetty Racecourse.

Over time, the British administration developed the area by building sea walls, walkways, viewing platforms, and small piers extending towards the sea.

The structure seen in the above photograph is one of the piers developed during that era and is believed to be the only remaining one today.

It has now become a popular attraction, serving both as a viewing platform and a favourite location for photography.

The pier was designed for sightseeing, fishing, photography, and enjoying panoramic sea views.

Its distinctive “T”-shaped platform allows visitors to stand above the crashing waves and experience spectacular sunsets over the Indian Ocean.

National Significance

Galle Face Green has also become a venue for major political rallies, national celebrations, and social gatherings.

The last time the Pope visited Sri Lanka, this was the location where he conducted a mass attended by millions of people.

Visiting the Place

No journey to Colombo is truly complete without a visit to Galle Face Green.

As many of the city’s leading hotels are situated along Galle Face Road and Marine Drive, thousands of visitors make their way to the Green every day, either by foot or by vehicle, to experience one of Colombo’s most vibrant public spaces.