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Colombo

Colombo is the executive and judicial capital of Sri Lanka and its largest city by population. The Colombo metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of 5.6 million, with 752,993 residents within the municipal limits. It serves as the financial hub of the island and is a significant tourist destination.

Geographically, Colombo is positioned on the west coast of the island and is part of the Greater Colombo area that encompasses Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the legislative capital of Sri Lanka, and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia. Often, Colombo is colloquially referred to as the capital of Sri Lanka, although official administrative functions moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte in 1978.

The city of Colombo holds historical importance as it was the capital when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815. It retained its status as the capital following Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948 until the transition of administrative functions to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Despite this shift, Colombo remains the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

Colombo Crime Family

The Colombo crime family is one of the infamous Five Families that dominate organized crime activities in New York City. Named after Joseph Colombo, who became its notorious boss during the late 1960s, the family is the youngest amongst its counterparts. Joseph Colombo was an Italian-American notorious for his leadership in the Mafia and for challenging anti-Italian-American sentiments through the Italian-American Civil Rights League.

Related People
  • Gianni Colombo: An Italian artist, member of the kinetic art movement, known for his innovative contributions to visual art.
  • Giuseppe Colombo: An Italian scientist and engineer, recognized for his expertise in astronomy and the Mercury missions.

Related Institutions

Colombo in Popular Culture

Disambiguation

While Colombo primarily refers to the city in Sri Lanka, it is essential to note its association with various other fields, including arts through individuals like Gianni Colombo, science through Giuseppe Colombo, and organized crime through the Colombo crime family. It is also pertinent in the realms of travel and sports within Sri Lanka.