Colombo Jewish & Kosher Guide 2025: Kosher Info in Colombo, Sri Lanka

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About Colombo

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is a bustling city and a hopping-off point for beaches in the island nation's south. It has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. That heritage is reflected in its spicy cuisine as well as its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls. Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. It was made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, and its status as capital was retained when the nation became independent in 1948. Colombo's climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year. From March to April the average high temperature is around 31 °C (87.8 °F). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January. There are many parks, temples and old buildings that have been turned into shopping malls.

The Best Of Colombo

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Jewish History, POI & Kosher Establishments in Colombo

Jews in Sri Lanka have had a presence on the island nation since at least the 9th century. In the 12th century, Benjamin of Tudela, a Sephardi Jew (Jews of Spanish and Portuguese descent) who was a medieval adventurer from Navarre, Spain, reported that there were 3,000 Jews in Sri Lanka. The Vishwakarma (or Visvakarma) community is a caste/community comprising five sub-groups – carpenters, blacksmiths, bell metalworkers, goldsmiths and stonemasons. It is stated that the Tamils belonging to this caste have Jewish lineage. Due to their enormous wealth and power, The Tamil Thattar Jews were systematically killed as the state and its rulers deemed it a better option than pay back the money owed. Today several Jewish women of European origin, who are married to Sri Lankaese, are now living on this island, and they constitute its total Jewish population.


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What Is *JOFY?

JOFY, or "Jewish Observant Friendly" Establishments are lodging establishments offering special services for Jewish Observant guests such as Shabbat meals, accommodation on lower floors and regular keys for the rooms. It can also be a NON KOSHER establishment located in walking distance from the local Shul, community or kosher restaurants area.

Please note - *JOFY does NOT mean that KOSHER food is served on the premises!

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