The Kelani River (කැළණි ගඟ) is a 145-kilometer-long (90 mi) river in Sri Lanka. It ranks as the fourth-longest and one of the main rivers in the country, originated from the Sri Pada Mountain Range to Colombo. Along its course, it passes through or borders several Sri Lankan districts, including Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Gampaha, and Colombo itself. The Kelani River has two main tributaries in its upper reaches: the Kehelgamu Oya and the Maskeli Oya. These tributaries contribute to hydroelectric production in Sri Lanka, with major reservoirs and power stations along their course. Notable reservoirs include Castlereigh Reservoir, Norton Reservoir, Maskeliya Reservoir, Canyon Reservoir, and Laxapana Reservoir. The Kelani River supplies approximately 80% of the water used in Colombo, making it crucial for the capital city. Beyond drinking water, the river serves transportation, fisheries, and hydroelectricity production.
Colombo is a district where the water resources are much appreciated and cherished, especially for the domestic water consumption of the area. Labugama – Kalatuwa reservoir have been facilitating this dire need throughout the past centuries. Labugama Reservoir can be considered as on of the giants in holding the massive amount of water, with the forest reserve as its sanctuary. The reservoir was established near the Labugama Kalatuwa reserve which constructed interrupting the water flow of Wak Oya of Melanie River Basin. As the British Colonial engineers constructed this stronghold of water, the Labugama river also work as a nurture land for the nearby forest reserve and continuously feeding them being feed back maintains the codependency.
Negombo Fort was a small but important fort in Negombo, approx. 30 km (19 mile) north of Colombo, that was built by the Portuguese to defend Colombo. The fort was located on a narrow strip of land between a lagoon and an inlet of the sea. It was surrounded by a dry moat, and the gate was accessed via a drawbridge. The original Portuguese fort was a weak structure, which was captured by Dutch forces commanded by Philip Lucasz, in February 1640. The Portuguese made several attempts to retake it before they were successful in December 1640. They then strengthened the fortifications and managed to defend the fort until it was recaptured by the Dutch, commanded by Francois Caron, in January 1644. The original bastions were destroyed by the Dutch cannons during the siege of the fort. The Dutch subsequently rebuilt it in 1672 however not on the usual square pattern, but on a pentagonal one, though it had only four bulwarks, the fifth was never constructed (possibly due to the cost).
The Arcade Independence Square is a shopping complex in the city of Colombo in Sri Lanka, housed in a group of renovated buildings including the former Jawatta Lunatic Asylum (later known as the Auditor General’s building) and the former Western Provincial Council Building. It was built as a part of the Independence Square Redevelopment programme initiated by the Sri Lankan Government. The building was constructed in 1889 at a cost of Rs 450,000. In 2012, the Urban Development Authority commenced the renovation of the buildings and special care was taken to preserve their original architectural features whilst adding modern technological features and amenities.
