Colombo Lighthouse

The Colombo Lighthouse is located at Galbokka Point in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was first built in the 1820s, but the current lighthouse was constructed in 1952 after the old one was deactivated due to being obscured by nearby buildings. The lighthouse is a 15-meter tall cylindrical tower with a balcony and lantern, and it has a distinctive black and white checkered pattern on the seaward side.

The Colombo Lighthouse is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. It was opened by the first prime minister of Ceylon, D. S. Senanayake, and it has become a city landmark due to its panoramic view of the Indian Ocean. However, public access to the site was restricted during the Sri Lankan Civil War due to its location in a high-security zone.

The lighthouse has an interesting history, with a naval gun battery located at its base that is used by the Sri Lanka Navy for traditional gun salutes. The battery has been used to fire gun salutes on special occasions, including the country's Independence Day. The lighthouse itself has undergone changes over the years, and it is now surrounded by the Colombo Port City, which has altered its surroundings and made it landlocked.

Light and tower

It has a cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern on a 1-storey building tower. The tower is built of stone. Its daymark is unpainted tower, the seaward side is painted in a black and white checkered pattern. The light has a focal height of 26 metres. The light has a range of 25 nautical miles. Its light characteristic is Fl (3) W 10s. It was first lit in 1952. It is managed by Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The NGA list of lights numbers it 27336.

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