Located partway between Colombo and Negombo, Seeduwa is a small town on the west coast of Sri Lanka. It has existed since at least the 14th century when it was gifted to a chief named Simha. It has a rich history, governed by the Portuguese, Dutch and British at various points throughout the years.
Things to do in Seeduwa
Seeduwa is a relaxing base for discovering the sights of Colombo, which is home to beautiful colonial buildings and colourful temples. Learn about the ancient history of Sri Lanka at the whitewashed National Museum before admiring the Parliament Building and the 1954-built Old Galle Buck Lighthouse. Don’t miss the Gangaramaya Temple, which reportedly houses a lock of Buddha’s hair.
If you drive in the other direction from Seeduwa, you’ll arrive in Negombo, which boasts a lively fish market. Gaze up at the twin towers of St. Sebastian Church and visit the 17th-century remains of the Old Dutch Fort before marvelling at the massive Buddha statue of Angurukaramulla Temple. Negombo is also famed for its beaches, with Browns Beach and Morawala Beach among the most popular.
For a quieter beach experience, head to Dungalpitiya, an uncrowded stretch of sand that offers superb sunsets over the Laccadive Sea. It occupies a narrow strip of sand backed by the Negombo Lagoon, which is surrounded by rice paddies and coconut plantations. Jump aboard a boat cruise to spot some of the birds attracted to the lagoon’s mangrove swamps, including cormorants, egrets and terns.
Getting around Seeduwa
Seeduwa is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Colombo and just 15 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Trains stop at the Seeduwa railway station while buses travel throughout the area. Rickshaws are readily available for getting around.