Colombo
During the 8th century Arab traders settled near the port and, in 1505, the Portuguese arrived & the name Colombo was first introduced by them , is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhalese name Kolon thota, meaning “port on the river Kelani”. It has also been suggested that the name may be derived from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means “harbor with leafy mango trees”.
By the mid-17th century the Dutch had taken over, growing cinnamon in the area now known as Cinnamon Gardens, but it wasn’t until the British arrived that the town became a city and, in 1815, was proclaimed the capital of Ceylon.