Negambo

Written by Partha Majumdar

Lately I have been travelling frequently to Riyadh as I joined Tools and Solutions. The first time I travelled this year was on 8May2019. This was during the month of Ramadan. So, I did not want to travel in any of Gulf Airlines and also I did not want to transit at any of the Gulf Airports. So, I chose to fly by Sri Lankan. The only trouble was that I had to spend between 12 and 18 hours in Colombo on the way from Bangalore to Riyadh and from Riyadh to Bangalore.

As I flew by Business Class, Sri Lankan Airlines provided me Hotel in Colombo during the transit time. During my first trip from Bangalore to Riyadh, I had a lot of work as I had to complete 2 proposals. So, I spent my whole time in Colombo at Hotel Tamarind Tree. On the way back from Riyadh to Bangalore, I had all the time in my hand. On consulting the hotel, they told me that I could visit Negambo as it was close to the Hotel.

So, I contracted with a car driver named Sunil to take me on a trip to Negambo on 11Jun2019. Sunil is a Sri Lankan Christian and he had recently lost his brother in the bomb attack on a Sri Lankan Church. The whole of Sri Lanka at this point of time was like a fortress with the military all over the country (at least the parts I visited).

Sunil – my Car Driver and Guide

We started from my hotel at about 10:00 AM. We drove towards Negambo. On the way, we were stopped for inspection by the Sri Lankan Army at at least 3 points. Negambo is just about 40 minutes from my hotel. Every time the Military stopped us, they checked my passport and searched my bag and searched the entire car.

On reaching Negambo, Sunil first stopped at his home to meet some domestic responsibilities. He took about 20 minutes. Then, we drove to the beach.

Negambo is on the sea and is largely a town inhabited by fishermen. Most of the population in the town follow Christianity.

At the beach

The town is rather crowded with narrow roads. However, the roads are generally well maintained. I found a lot of traffic on the roads in most parts of the town.

There are a number of Churches all over the Town. Most of the Churches are from the Colonial Era.

A Church in Negambo

I found one Hindu Temple also in Negambo. Sri Lankans call Hindu Temples as “KOVIL”.

Hindu Temple in Negambo

One of the famous landmarks on Negambo is a Dutch Church. This Church is right next to the Prison. There is a channel by this Church. A lot of Fishermen surface their load at this point.

Dutch Church

Fishing Boats at Dutch Church in Negambo

Fishing Boats in the Sea in Negambo

• 

• 

• 

St Mary’s Church

• 

• 

• 

• 

Dutch Canal

There is 72 KM long canal built by the Dutch more than 150 years ago. The canal is still in use for transportation.

Dutch Canal

Auto Rickshaws in Negambo

• 

• 

I think the Town requires good Schools and Hospitals. At least, this is what I noticed.

I returned to my hotel by 4 PM to catch my flight at 9:30 PM.

• Colombo
• Negambo
• photography
• South East Asia
• Sri Lanka
• Tourism
• Travel

• Previous Post Kudla
• Next Post Arabic Numbers

Partha Majumdar

Am basically a programmer. Have proved to myself and quite a few people over the 24+ years that I am capable of programming on most platforms using quite a few tools for most problems. However, to be viable for earning a living, have learnt a few tricks and techniques of management. Whatever management techniques I have learnt, I try and convert to simple logic flows to keep my decision process simple and transparent. While managing, have been successful in programming a few individuals and teams to meet required objectives. Though I am not creative, I have enormous potential to innovate and extend creative ideas generated and shared by others.