Slave Island (Kompannavidiya)

Overview

Slave Island (officially Kompannavidiya, Colombo 2) is a dense, diverse inner-city neighborhood surrounded by Beira Lake. Its jarring name reflects a dark colonial history, while today its streets pulse with a multicultural mix of temples, mosques, churches, and street markets.

Highlights

• Multicultural Layers: Buddhist temples, Hindu kovils, a mosque, and a church all within a few blocks.
• Street Life: Busy, unpolished, and authentically Colombo — far from the tourist trail.
• Beira Lake Frontage: Lakeside paths offer unexpected calm at the neighborhood's edges.

History

The Portuguese and Dutch confined enslaved people from Africa and Southeast Asia on the Beira Lake island in the 17th–18th centuries. After abolition, the area developed into a working-class neighborhood with a distinct multicultural character.

Visitor Tips

• Guided Walk: Recommended for context on the colonial history.
• Safety: Stick to main roads after dark.
• Duration: 45–90 minutes.