Slave Island

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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
Beira Lake and Slave Island
Slave Island is located in Central Colombo
Slave Island
Slave Island
Coordinates: 6°55′37″N 79°50′55″E / 6.92694°N 79.84861°E / 6.92694; 79.84861Coordinates: 6°55′37″N 79°50′55″E / 6.92694°N 79.84861°E / 6.92694; 79.84861
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceWestern Province
DistrictColombo District
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone)
Postal Code
00200

Slave Island (Sinhala: කොම්පඤ්ඤ වීදිය, Tamil: கொம்பனித்தெரு) 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, street food stalls, and is known for its multicultural, especially Malay heritage.

History[]

The name "Slave Island" was coined during the period of British colonial rule and was a reference to the usage of the island under Portuguese rule as a holding area for African slaves, most of them 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.[2]

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.[3][4] 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.[5]

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.[6][7][8]

Military[]

Diplomatic missions[]

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. ^ "The Slave Island That We Have Forgotten". roar.media. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  2. ^ de Silva Jayasuriya, S. (1999). Portuguese in Sri Lanka: influence of substratum languages. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 9(2): 251-270.
  3. ^ "Residents Express Mixed Emotions as Historic Slave Island Prepares for Demolition". Global Press Journal. 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  4. ^ https://i-discoverasia.com/walks/slave-island-18/
  5. ^ "Protecting historic Slave Island Railway Station". Community/Livelihood Development. John Keells Group. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  6. ^ "Residents Express Mixed Emotions as Historic Slave Island Prepares for Demolition". Global Press Journal. 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  7. ^ "Roar Media". roar.media. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  8. ^ "Don't bulldoze our colonial shop houses into oblivion". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2018-08-22.


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