Negombo

Negombo, historically known as 'Little Rome' and 'Meepura' (City of Bees), is a major coastal city located 38 kilometers north of Colombo and just 9 kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport. This ancient port city has served as a crucial trading hub since pre-colonial times, particularly renowned for its cinnamon trade that attracted Portuguese colonizers in the early 1500s. The city's Catholic heritage is profound, with 65.31% of its 142,136 residents practicing Roman Catholicism following mass conversions during Portuguese rule (1500s-1640s). The name 'Negombo' derives from the Tamil 'Neerkolombu', while the Sinhala name 'Migamuva' originates from a legend about King Kavantissa's army finding bee honey for pregnant Queen Viharamahadevi. Today's Negombo represents a fascinating blend of centuries-old fishing traditions, colonial architecture, vibrant religious festivals, and modern tourism infrastructure. The Negombo Lagoon, spanning 35.02 square kilometers with over 190 wildlife species, remains central to the city's identity alongside its thriving fishing industry using traditional outrigger boats called 'oruvas' and 'paruvas'.