Colombo Lighthouse
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.
 Colombo Lighthouse | |
  Location in greater Colombo | |
| |
| Location | Galbokka Point Colombo Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 6.936298°N 79.840766°E |
| Year first constructed | 1820s (first) |
| Year first lit | 1952 (current) |
| Construction | stone tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern on a 1-storey building |
| Markings / pattern | unpainted tower, the seaward side is painted in a black and white checkered pattern |
| Tower height | 15 metres (49 ft) |
| Focal height | 26 metres (85 ft) |
| Light source | mains power |
| Range | 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (3) W 10s. |
| Admiralty number | F0804 |
| NGA number | 27332 |
| ARLHS number | SLI-005 |
| Managing agent | Sri Lanka Ports Authority[1] |
History
The current 29-metre-high (95 ft) 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 m (39 ft) high, it has four statues of lions at its base.
Due to the panoramic view of the Indian Ocean it offered, it became a 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 at its base is a naval gun battery that is used by the Sri Lanka Navy for its traditional gun salutes.[2] By tradition the Navy accords a 25-gun salute to the nation on the National day, which is 4 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 4 February 1951 with its single 4-inch gun.
In 1952 two 4-inch guns were brought from the United Kingdom in preparation of the Royal visit of Princess Elizabeth, which did not occur as she returned halfway due to the death of her father the King. Since then the guns are mounted at the lighthouse and fire 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
- Colombo (Galbokka Point) The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved April 1, 2016
- Gun salutes by the Sri Lanka Navy