COLOMBO LOTUS TOWER

About Colombo Lotus Tower

The tallest skyscraper of Sri Lanka- Colombo Lotus tower is also known as “Nelum Kuluna” in Sinhala. Colombo lotus tower is one of the most famous tourist sites in the town of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Standing at a height of 356 meters this tower is the tallest tower in South Asia, 11th tallest tower in Asia and 19th tallest tower in the world. It has become one of the major tourist attractions in Sri Lanka and popular among tourists.

If you plan on visiting the country then this tower is a must-visit. It basically serves as a transmission tower for tv and radio. Besides being a transmission and communicating tower it also serves various leisure activities. There are banquet halls, shopping malls, hotels with suites, restaurants, museums, auditoriums and much more for the tourist to explore in the tower. There is a revolving restaurant at the top which provides a scenic view of the city. It completes one rotation every 90 minutes. This tower is one of the biggest highlights of Colombo and due to its enormous length, it can be seen from as far as 10kms from the main site. Approximately 50 television and radio broadcasters can be accommodated in the tower, along with 20 telecommunication providers.

Lotus tower can attract more than thousands of tourists every day. It is open 24 hours and 365 days of the year for the tourists. On special festivals such as Pongal, Diwali, Eid, Christmas and many more the interiors of the tower are decorated accordingly. This tower is surely a gem in the busy city of Colombo and must not be missed if you are planning to tour this beautiful city.

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How To Reach Colombo Lotus Tower

By Cab: It is approximately 33km away from the main airport. Once you land at Colombo International airport, then it takes approximately one hour to reach the lotus tower by car, depending upon the traffic.

By Bus: If you want to opt for cheaper options then you can travel by bus services available in the city but it will take a much longer time as compared to other routes(more than two hours). For the bus, you will have to walk 10-15 minutes from the airport to the Colombo central bus stand and board on the bus no. 265. Then get down at Armour street junction bus stop(after 4 bus stops) and board on 155 bus and get down at St. Joseph's bus stop and walk for 5-10 minutes towards the tower. 

Colombo Lotus Tower Other Essential Information

Location: This tower is located in the heart of the city of Colombo, Srilanka on the waterfront of Beira lake where you can easily reach by road, 33kms away from the Colombo international airport.

Entry fee: There will be an entry fee for the local people and tourists which is approximately 20 US dollars for a tourist, however a concession may be granted to students and families.

Timings: The tower is open for 24 hours throughout the year for the visitors.

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History of Colombo Lotus Tower

Back in 2012, Sri Lanka and China signed the agreement under the controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to build the tallest tower in South Asia. China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC) is the major contractor of the tower. Thus, the construction of this tower started on January 20, 2012, and was opened to the public on 16th September 2019 by Maithripala Sirisena, the President of Sri Lanka. The construction of the tower has not been completed till now, but some parts of the tower have been made accessible to the tourists. This tower is one of the biggest construction efforts as of now. Initially, it was supposed to be built in Peliyagoda (a suburb in the city of Colombo, in the Western Province of Sri Lanka) but later the location was changed by the government.

It finally stands in the heart of the city of Colombo on the waterfront of the Beira Lake. The construction of this tower cost around 104.3 million dollars which are funded by EXIM Bank of the People's Republic of China, which will be paid back by the Government of Sri Lanka through the revenue earned by renting out the space of the tower. The layout of the tower is inspired by the lotus flower which symbolizes purity in Sri Lanka. It also symbolizes the flourishing development of the country.the tower will function as a digital TV tower, communication services and other leisure facilities such as hotels, restaurants, museums, shopping malls and much more, accommodating thousands of tourists.

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Interesting Facts about Colombo Lotus Tower

1. The height of this tower is 356 meters and it is the tallest tower in South Asia, 11th tallest tower in Asia and 19th tallest tower in the world.

2. It is the tallest skyscraper in Sri Lanka and thus it can be seen from a distance as far as 10kms from the main site.

3. The construction of the tower was started in 2012 and it took seven years for the construction to complete, after which it was made open by the President of Sri Lanka to the public in September 2019.

4. The design of this tower is inspired by the lotus flower(which means purity in Sri Lanka) and consists of 13 floors and 8 elevators and 4 entrances.

5. It functions as a transmission tower for TV and radio. Other than this, it serves various leisure facilities such as shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, recreational centres and much more.

6. At the top, there is a revolving restaurant that completes a single revolution in 90 minutes where you can enjoy the scenic view of the city. Other facilities such as suites will be provided for the guests to stay.

7. The petals of the flowers are made of glass while the framework is of steel, which illuminates with colour-changing LED lights. The tower is also illuminated with floodlights with beautifully decorated interiors.

Tips for Visiting Colombo Lotus Tower

To explore the Colombo Lotus Tower with total enjoyment, you should know the following tips.

1. The best way to reach the Lotus Tower from Colombo International airport is through road preferably by a car which takes approximately one hour to reach.

2. It is accessible throughout the day, the whole year for the tourists to explore and enjoy its beauty.

3. This tower is symbolic and an emblem of pride which signifies the flourishing development of the country.

4. The observation deck on the 7th floor is a perfect place to click pictures full of memories.

5. It also hosts various restaurants and hotels to satiate your hunger and rest after a tiring tour of the magnificent structure.