Colombo Unpacked No 1

In this brief series, I begin to consider some of the 13 quarters that form Colombo- the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. The intention is to assemble a compilation of information on each of the zones that together form the multi-cultural city, that will warrant a larger discussion on spatial justice.

Of these 13, Slave Island is Colombo 02. I start here rather than with Colombo 01 as I believe Slave Island, beginning with its name, has an engrossing story that may illuminate much of Colombo's and Sri Lanka's history.

Location

Slave Island, a ward of Colombo about two kilometres south of the Fort and adjoining Galle Face is the half-isle between two water-bodies of Beira Lake.

Etymology

The name 'Slave Island' in spite of the popular objection and contest by newspaper media (since the beginning of the 20th century), continues to be in use. Although Slave Island cease to be an island or carry any links to slavery, the name dates back to the 16th century. It is noted that the peninsula between the two arms of the lake was named as such, because in the 16th and 17th centuries slaves were confined here in the night, without guards, as there were crocodiles in the lake. Slaves were shipped to Sri Lanka from Zanzibar in East Africa and auctioned off at Slave Island. Slavery was not abolished in Sri Lanka till 1845.