New Release: Colombo’s Colonial History Through Global Eyes 📈

Ajay Kamalakaran’s latest book, _Colombo: Port of Call_ (Penguin India, 2026), is set for a public discussion on Sunday, 1 March 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lakmahal Community Library. The work examines Sri Lanka’s historical role as a pivotal maritime crossroads during the 19th and 20th centuries. • Global Perspectives: The book reconstructs Colombo's "golden age" of steamships through the personal accounts of iconic visitors, including Mahatma Gandhi, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Don Bradman, Anton Chekhov, and Mark Twain. • Key Themes: It serves as a social document of the British Empire, recording racial hierarchies, imperialist impressions, and the era’s luxury hotels and high tea culture. It highlights Colombo's strategic importance as a refueling and supply port for routes to Japan, China, and Australia. • Economic Context: Beyond nostalgia, the text explores the city's history of inequality, specifically noting the hardships of Tamil workers in the tea plantations and the transition of the port from a colonial outpost to a global maritime hub. • Event Details: • Venue: Lakmahal Community Library, Colombo 03. • Format: Discussion between Ajay Kamalakaran and Uditha Devapriya, moderated by Hirun Matheesha. • Focus: Insights into the research and writing process of this 312-page non-fiction work.