About Colombo Colombo, the capital of the island nation of Sri Lanka is also the commercial hub of the country. It lies in the southwest region of the nation, on the shore of Indian Ocean. The international airport is 34 Km from the city centre. Location & Attractions The National Museum situated in Colombo, is the first public Museum to be established in Sri Lanka. Best known for its collection of antiques and artefacts displaying the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka, the museum also has a Puppetry section and a Children’s Museum. The library here has a collection of about 500,000 books including very valuable and rare ones and more than 4,000 ancient palm leaf manuscripts. The Dutch Period Museum, housed in the old `Dutch House' on the Prince Street, Pettah in Colombo was built in the latter part of the 17th century. The collection of furniture, ceramics, coins and arms on the premises, gives the visitor a glimpse of the grandeur in which the Dutch rulers lived in Sri Lanka. Lionel Wendt Art Gallery at Guildford Crescent, Colombo, displays contemporary paintings. Kalagaraya, the permanent art gallery of the Alliance Francaise de Colombo, displays a representative collection of contemporary art. The Sapumal Foundation Gallery  at Barnes Place, Colombo, displays and sells Sri Lankan paintings dating back to 1920. Negombo is a characteristic fishing town, 37 km north of Colombo. Set amid lush groves of coconut palms, Negombo is a seaside resort is a seafood lover’s paradise. Old world fishing craft like the outrigger canoes and catamarans are used to net seer, skipjack, herring and mullet, pomfret and amberjack, while lobster and prawns are caught in the lagoon. Mount Lavinya Beach Mount Lavinya Beach is located 12 Km south of the city and lies alongside a wind-swept headland jutting into the waters of the Indian Ocean. Beruwela Located 56 Km from Colombo, Beruwela marks the beginning of a 130 Km-long stretch of golden beach. The warm, sunny weather and crystal clear waters of the bay, make it a sunbathers’ and swimmers paradise.