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Kelaniya
Suburb in Western Province, Sri Lanka

Kelaniya

Kelaniya is a suburb of Colombo in the Western Province, Sri Lanka.

Plan a trip to Kelaniya→From Jaffna

Located 10 km (6.2 mi) from Colombo Fort, it is known for the Buddhist temple built on the banks of the Kelani River, which divides the suburb from Colombo District. The temple is also a religious centre for veneration of the figures Vibhishana and Avalokiteshvara. It is also known as the location of the University of Kelaniya.

How locals move

Getting around Kelaniya the local way

  • Get inIt can also handle international charter flights.
  • Get inYou can also take a tri-shaw aka tuk-tuk from the bus depot (get there by free airport shuttle bus), it takes a bit more than an hour and is Rs 2,500 (2024) from airport to Galle Road.
  • Get inTake either the free airport shuttle to the bus station and then follow the road (Canada Friendship) to the Katunayaka South station (nearly 2 km, if you don't have luggage) otherwise just to take a tuk tuk right from the airport to the train station.
  • Get aroundGetting around by Tri-shaw (Three wheeler, tuk-tuk) is most convenient.
  • Get aroundBut it's best to hail a meter taxi (identified by the words "Meter Taxi" on its windshield) that is traveling in the direction that you need to go instead of hiring one from the parking area or the tuk-tuk stand.
  • Get aroundThe Sri Lankan Tourist Development Authority also operates its own fleet of 'tuk-tuks' around Colombo which are tourist friendly and metered to ensure that travellers are aware of the price being paid.
  • Get aroundTourist board tuk tuks are distinguishable by their unique paintings.
  • Get aroundTaxis are safer and much more comfortable than tuk-tuks.

From Wikivoyage: Colombo, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand (see Commons), Wikimedia Commons.