Katunayake

Katunayake is a suburb of Negombo in Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is the site of Bandaranaike International Airport or Colombo Airport, the primary international air gateway to Sri Lanka. With the change of government in 1977 and the introduction of the open economy policy a large area was allocated to create a free trade zone (currently known as the Export Promotion Zone).

Katunayake is the site of the primary airport in the country, Bandaranaike International Airport.

It is served by Sri Lanka Railways' Puttalam Line, with stations at Katunayake, Katunayake South, and the airport.

Negombo is the northern end of the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway which connects Colombo and A1 highway at Peliyagoda. Katunayake is currently served by the A3 highway from Colombo to Negombo. Sri Lanka's main international gateway. Its proximity to the airport makes Katunayake a convenient first stop for many travelers arriving in the country.

Despite its reputation as an airport town, Katunayake offers several attractions for those interested in exploring more than just its transit facilities. The town is surrounded by lush green landscapes and features several local markets where visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant local culture. These markets are bustling with activity, offering a variety of goods from fresh produce to handmade crafts, providing a glimpse into the everyday lives of the local residents.

For nature enthusiasts, the nearby Muthurajawela Marsh offers a serene escape. This vital environmental sanctuary is known for its rich biodiversity, including many species of flora and fauna unique to the region. Bird watchers and nature lovers can enjoy guided boat tours through the marsh, which provide an opportunity to observe the diverse wildlife in their natural habitat.

Accommodation options in Katunayake range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses, catering to the needs of transit passengers and longer-term visitors alike. Many hotels offer shuttle services to and from the airport, adding convenience for travelers.

Additionally, Katunayake serves as a gateway to the rest of the island, with easy access to major roads and public transportation networks. This makes it an ideal starting point for those looking to explore other famous Sri Lankan destinations, including the capital city of Colombo, which is just a short drive away.

Overall, while Katunayake may be primarily recognized for its airport, the town itself provides a variety of experiences that can enrich any traveler's visit to Sri Lanka, whether they are just passing through or staying to explore.

Katunayake is also featured on TripAdvisor, Viator and GetYourGuide

【Text by Lakpura™. Images by Google, copyright(s) reserved by original authors.】

About Gampaha District

Gampaha is an urban city in Sri Lanka and is the capital of the Gampaha District in Western Province, north of Colombo. Gampaha District is separated from Colombo mainly by the Kelani River. Gampaha town is about 4km from Miriswatta on Colombo-Kandy road. Gampaha is surrounded by Yakkala, Miriswatta, Weliweriya Udugampola and Ja-Ela towns.

The name "Gampaha" in Sinhala literally means Five Villages. The five villages are known to be Ihalagama, Pahalagama, Medagama, Pattiyagama and Aluthgama.

About Western Province

The Western Province is the most densely populated province of Sri Lanka. It is home to the legislative capital Sri Jayawardenapura as well to Colombo, the nation's administrative and business center. Western Province is divided into 3 main districts called Colombo (642 km²), Gampaha (1,386.6 km²) and Kalutara (1,606 km²) districts. As Sri Lanka's economic hub, all the major local and international corporations have their presence in the city and so do all the major designer and high street retailers, so be ready to indulge in some retail therapy in western province.

Having the highest population in the all the provinces, the almost all the premier educational institutions in the island are located in western province. Universities in the province include the University of Colombo, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Kelaniya, Open University, Sri Lanka, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and University of Moratuwa .Western province has the largest amount of schools in the country, which includes National, Provincial, Private and International schools.

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