Capital · Sri Lanka
Sri Jayawardenapura Kotteශ්රී ජයවර්ධනපුර කෝට්ටේ / ஶ்ரீ ஜெயவர்த்தனபுர கோட்டை
Skip as a base: Colombo is 15 min away and has more to do. Visit only for the Parliament or a quiet walk around Diyawanna Lake — half a day is enough.
Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is the legislative capital of Sri Lanka, but in practice it is a leafy suburb of Colombo. The main reasons to come are the Parliament complex, the old Kotte kingdom ruins and the lakeside paths. Most travellers stay in Colombo and visit Kotte for a few hours, if at all.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LKR
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- avoid May–Jun, Oct–Nov (monsoon rains)
- Airport
- CMB
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Sri Lanka ↗Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation only on the official government ETA site; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules and fees change.
- Sri Lanka ↗At temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue; Buddha images on clothes or tattoos cause offence.
- Sri Lanka ↗Carry Sri Lankan rupees in small notes; tuk-tuks, buses and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are fewer outside the cities.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte119 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?LKR in small notes for tuk-tuks, buses, tea and entry tickets.Sri Lanka-wide
- SIM or eSIMDialog, Mobitel (SLT-Mobitel) and Hutch sell tourist SIMs at the airport; passport required.Sri Lanka-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Sri Lanka-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Nothing extra if 10% service is on the bill; otherwise 10%.Sri Lanka-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Sri Lanka-wide
- SafetyKotte is safe during the day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants, with a hose; squat toilets in bus stations.Sri Lanka-wide
- Emergency numbers119 police · 1990 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysPoya (full moon) days close bars and liquor shops and stop meat sales; many sites close on the day of a Perahera procession…Sri Lanka-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCMB Bandaranaike International Airport (About 40 km (25 mi) north; taxi to Kotte takes 45–60 min depending on traffic).CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (About 25 mi (40 km) north; taxi to Kotte takes 45–60 min depending on traffic).
- Getting aroundTuk-tuks are the main option; a ride within Kotte costs Rs 200–400.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk ride within KotteRs 200–400
- Metro or bus rideBus to ColomboRs 50–100
- Budget bedGuesthouse single room, a night, per roomLKR 3,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per roomLKR 10,000
- High-end bedDouble room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per roomLKR 18,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LKR 4,000 · Mid LKR 8,000 · High LKR 15,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (About 40 km (25 mi) north; taxi to Kotte takes 45–60 min depending on traffic)CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (About 25 mi (40 km) north; taxi to Kotte takes 45–60 min depending on traffic)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–Mar. Avoid: May–Jun, Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (17 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Tuk-tuks are the main option; a ride within Kotte costs Rs 200–400. Buses run along the main roads to Colombo. Walking is pleasant along Diyawanna Lake but the rest of the area is spread out.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Colombo
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Tuk-tuk or bus along the Kotte–Colombo road, about 15–20 min
Visit Pettah market, Galle Face Green and the National Museum.
Negombo
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Bus or taxi via Colombo, about 1 h
Fish market and beach; good for a half-day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kotte town centre
A few hotels near the Parliament area; quiet but limited dining options.
Colombo (Battaramulla or Nugegoda)
Adjacent suburbs with more guesthouses and restaurants; 10–15 min by tuk-tuk.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rs 3,000–5,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rs 5,000–10,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rs 10,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse single room1 × 1 night × LKR 3,000 | LKR 3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × LKR 4,000 | LKR 4,000 |
| Tuk-tuk from Colombo to Kotte1 × LKR 800 · check | LKR 800 |
| Bus from Colombo to Kotte1 × LKR 50 · check | LKR 50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LKR 790 |
| Trip total≈ LKR 8,640 per person per day, bed included | LKR 8,640 |
2026 estimate in Sri Lankan rupees; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Tuk-tuk ride within Kotte | Rs 200–400 |
| Bus to Colombo | Rs 50–100 |
| Rice and curry meal | Rs 400–800 |
| Cup of tea | Rs 80–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Traffic on the Kotte–Colombo road can be heavy during peak hours.
- Parliament is closed to the public on weekends and public holidays; check the official site.
- Monkeys near the lake may grab food — keep bags closed.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 1990
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Sri Jayawardenapura Kotteශ්රී ජයවර්ධනපුර කෝට්ටේ / ஶ்ரீ ஜெயவர்த்தனபுர கோட்டை
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
මෙම ලිපිනයට කරුණාකරTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance1990
- Fire110
Embassy
Most embassies are in Colombo; the US, UK, Indian and Chinese embassies are about 20 min away by tuk-tuk.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tuk-tuk Kotte → Colombo: Rs 800–1,200, about 20 min
- Bus Kotte → Colombo: Rs 50–100, about 30 min
Say or show
- ආයුබෝවන් — Hello (ayubowan)
- ස්තුතියි — Thank you (sthuthiyi)
- කීයද? — How much? (keeyada)
- ගොඩක් වැඩියි — Too expensive (godak wadiyi)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar · avoid May–Jun, Oct–Nov (monsoon rains) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Parliament complex visiting hours and booking process verified.
- Diyawanna Lake walking trail map and safety check.
- Kotte kingdom archaeological site opening times confirmed.
Sources
Ask about Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte
Loading…
Was this useful?