Slave Island

Slave Island (also known as Kampong Kertel and Kompanna Veediya)[1] is a suburb in Colombo, Sri Lanka, located directly south of the Fort. The suburb contains Beira Lake, a large lake and its esplanade is visited by many for recreation. Slave Island is mostly a commercial area with hotels, shopping centres and street food stalls and is known for its multicultural, especially Malay, heritage.

For the episode of the 1992 animated television series X-Men of the same name, see Slave Island (X-Men).
Slave Island


කොම්පඤ්ඤ වීදිය

கொம்பனித்தெரு
Suburb
Beira Lake and Slave Island
Slave Island
Coordinates: 6°55′37″N 79°50′55″E
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceWestern Province
DistrictColombo District
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone)
Postal Code
00200

History

The name "Slave Island" was given during the period of British colonisation referring to the situation under Portuguese rule when slaves were held there, most of them black people from the Swahili coast and Portuguese East Africa. Many of these slaves later returned to Africa. However, a small group of African descendants are scattered throughout Sri Lanka and are collectively known as Sri Lankan Kaffirs.

Demographic
The Murugan Temple in Slave Island

Slave Island is a multicultural area known for its mix of Malay, Sinhalese and Tamil cultures and is a traditional Malay cultural district in Colombo.[2][3] The larger ethnic communities in Slave Island are the Sri Lankan Malays, Sri Lankan Muslims and Sinhalese. There are also various minorities such as Burghers and others. Religions include Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and various other religions and beliefs.

Infrastructure

Slave Island is served by the Slave Island Railway Station. Built with Victorian-era architectural embellishments, the station carries significant architectural and historic value. The building features stylish arches, intricate woodwork, and metal installations, which emphasise Victorian-era styles.[4]

Demolitions

Many historic buildings in the Slave Island were either demolished or are awaiting to be demolished due to recent high rise development. Despite the architectural and historic value most buildings are not properly maintained and as a result most have become run down. The shophouse-style buildings in Justice Akbar Mawatha which are to be demolished is said to be the place where D.R. Wijewardene, D.S. Senanayake and Oliver Goonetilleke met to discuss the constitutional reforms that led to Sri Lanka's independence in 1948.[5][6][7]

Military

Diplomatic missions
  • Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus
  • Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand
  • Honorary Consulate of Madagascar

Photos
  • The Seema Malakaya of the Gangarama Temple in the Beira Lake in the Slave Island area, is one of many religious structures in Colombo

References
  1. https://roar.media/english/life/srilanka-life/the-slave-island-that-we-have-forgotten/
  2. https://globalpressjournal.com/asia/sri_lanka/residents-express-mixed-emotions-as-historic-slave-island-prepares-for-demolition/
  3. https://i-discoverasia.com/walks/slave-island-18/
  4. "Protecting historic Slave Island Railway Station". Community/Livelihood Development. John Keells Group. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  5. "Residents Express Mixed Emotions as Historic Slave Island Prepares for Demolition". Global Press Journal. 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  6. "Roar Media". roar.media. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  7. "Don't bulldoze our colonial shop houses into oblivion". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2018-08-22.


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