Negombo, Sri Lanka
Negombo is a major city in Sri Lanka, located on the west coast of the island and at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, in Western Province, Sri Lanka. Negombo is the fifth largest city in the country after the capital Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna and Galle, and it is the second largest city in Western province after Colombo. Negombo is also the administrative capital of Negombo Division. It is one of the major commercial hubs in Sri Lanka of about 128,000 inhabitants in the city limits, approximately 37 km north of Colombo city. Negombo is known for its huge and old fishing industry with busy fish markets and sandy beaches.EtymologyThe name "Negombo" was first used by the Portuguese. But the corruption of the Sinhala name Mīgamuva (මීගමුව), means the "Group of Bees", has been named a few centuries ago in the ancient kings' era. The squad of king Kavantissa, found out the bee honey on a canoe near the seashore of this place, for Viharamahadevi, was pregnant for the prince Dutugamunu, then the place has been named as "Mee-Gomuwa".EconomyNegombo is about 7 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport and Negombo has a moderate fish port (used during the periods of Portuguese and Dutch colonization) The economy of Negombo is mainly based on tourism and its centuries-old fishing industry, though it also produces cinnamon, ceramics, and brass ware. The Colombo Stock Exchange-Negombo branch and many major financial corporations have their key branches in Negombo. There are also Departmental stores, Large super markets, and various Boutiques in the bustling streets of Negombo downtown.
