Colombo Lighthouse

Old Colombo Lighthouse

Location	Galbokka Point, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Year first constructed	1952
Year first lit	1952
Automated	n/a
Construction	stone
Tower shape	Round tower
Markings / pattern	seaward side of the tower is painted in a black and white checkered pattern
Height	29 m
Focal height	2 m
Range	15 m
Characteristic	three white flashes every 10 s

Colombo Lighthouse is a Lighthouse in Colombo in Sri Lanka and it is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. It is located at Galbokka Point south of the Port of Colombo on the waterfront along the marine drive, in Colombo fort.

The lighthouse was built in 1952 after the Old Colombo Lighthouse was deactivated when its light became obscured by nearby buildings as part of the Colombo Harbor Expansion project. It was opened by Rt Hon D.S. Senanayake the first prime minister of Ceylon. Built on a concrete base which is 12 meters high it has four statues of lions at its base.

Due to the panoramic view of the Indian Ocean it offered, it became on city landmark. With the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War public access to the site was restricted. This was due to its placement in a high security zone as it is across the street from the Naval Headquarters and close proximity of the Port of Colombo.

Gun salute

Located on at its base is a naval gun battery that is used by the Sri Lanka Navy for its traditional gun salutes.^[1] By tradition the Navy accords a 25 gun salute to the nation on the National day which is the 4th February each year. It began with HMCyS Vijaya of the Royal Ceylon Navy, the first warship of the navy according a 25 gun salute on February 4, 1951 with its single 4" gun.

In 1952 two 4" guns where brought from the United Kingdom in preparation of the Royal visit of Princess Elizabeth, which did not occur as she return half way due to the death of her father the King. Since then the guns are mounted at the lighthouse and fires the gun salute. Three more 52-mm guns were added in 2000 as gifts from the Indian Navy which now fire the gun salutes.

References

1. ^ Gun salutes by the Sri Lanka Navy