Colombo Ethnic Groups lend a characteristic Sri Lankan culture to Colombo city. Colombo in Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic city with the different ethnic groups spread across the capital. Some of the main ethnic groups of Colombo are Sri Lankan Moors, Sinhalese, Malays, Indian Tamils, Sri Lankan Chetty, Burghers and Bharatha. Added to this, a number of communities of people of foreign descent can be found in Colombo. They are of Indian, Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and Malayan descent. A number of expatriates of Europe also stay in this city.
Sinhalese Ethnic Group
Sinhalese is the dominant Ethnic Group of Colombo comprising almost 74% of total ethnic population. Sinhalese people are believed to have originated from north-east India and later migrated to Sri Lanka.The word 'Sinhala' is derived from two words 'Sinha' meaning 'lion', and 'Hela' meaning 'pristine'. Sinhala the 'lion people' regard themselves as the descendants of the legendary prince Vijaya who migrated from India with several hundred subjects.. They speak in Sinhala or 'Helabasa' language. Around 93% of the entire Sinhalese population of Sri Lanka are Buddhists.
Some of the famous personalities among the Sinhalese include President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Sirimave Bandaranaike.
Chetties Ethnic Group
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Among the Colombo Ethnic Groups, Colombo Chetties deserve a mention. They have contributed much towards the economic development of the city. They belong to the caste of Tana Vaisya. They are the pioneers of afforestation projects in Sri Lanka. They are among the first exporters and importers of agricultural and non-agricultural products of the country. They also took part in various religious activities of Colombo church. Their contribution to Sinhalese politics is also significant. Simon Casie Chitty became the first Sri Lankan civil servant, and the legislative council's elected member in 1845 in the age of 38.
Other prominent Chetties of Sri Laanka include former President and Prime Minister J. R. Jayewardene, business pioneer R. I. Fernandopulle, and Deshabandhu Regie Candappa founder Chairman of Grant McCann Erickson advertising company.
Burgher Ethnic Group
A number of residents of Colombo belong to the Burgher group. It is an ethnic group descending from the early European settlers. Presently, most of the people of this ethnic group speak in English. However, in the past they used to speak in Portuguese, Creole and Tamil. Some of the famous personalities who belong to this ethnic group are Jamie Durie (media personality), Michael Ondaatje (writer), Keith Potger (musician), Gresha Schuilling (musician) and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha (poet).
Colombo ethnic groups provide a multi faceted social and cultural variety to Colombo populace.
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