Colombo
 

We have heard many reports on Columbo, most negative. ,if we are pressed for time, is it fine to bypass the city all together?

We chose to bypass Colombo and had a wonderful time in Sri Lanka. No way you can see everything, so choose what you believe you will like most.

Agree with Kathie, see what you can fit in. We went ( and stayed) in Colombo but we had an a.m flight
So didn't want to get up super early. We actually liked it but then we only did a whistle stop tour.
There are some great buildings to see but really if you are pressed for time skipping it isn't going to be a deal breaker on your enjoyment of SR.

I ignored the advice and visited Colombo, but that was because my father had spent time there during WWII. I discovered that the advice to the average tourist to skip Colombo was spot on. If you need to spend a night in the area before or after a flight, pick Negombo instead.

Having just come fresh from Colombo, I agree with everyone one that it is not a make or break destination. If there is something in the city that interests you, then yes, you could spend a day or two. I spent a full day but could have easily done without and stayed in Negombo instead or head straight to the Cultural Triangle.

Depending on your schedule, you might want to spend a night there before your flight out of the airport which is about an hour's drive away to the north. We had two nights there at the end of our stay but truth be told, it was one night too many.