Attraction
Gangaramaya Temple
A late 19th-century Buddhist temple near Beira Lake that mixes Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese styles and keeps a crowded museum of donated treasures.
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
Pettah's red-and-white Red Mosque, built in 1908 to 1909 by South Indian traders and one of Colombo's oldest and most photographed mosques.
At a glance
- Type
- Mosque
- Area
- Pettah, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Official site
- redmasjid.com
Good to know
- Historic architecture
Why we recommend it
The Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, known to almost everyone as the Red Mosque, is the most striking building in Pettah. It stands on Second Cross Street in the middle of the market district, and its candy-striped red and white walls make it impossible to miss among the shops and warehouses. Construction began in 1908 and finished in 1909. The mosque was commissioned by South Indian traders working in Pettah, who supplied design references to the builder, Habibu Lebbe Saibu Lebbe, a self-taught craftsman.
The style is Indo-Saracenic, a hybrid that blends Indo-Islamic and Indian forms with touches of Gothic Revival and Neoclassical design. The building rises two storeys with a clock tower, and its design has been compared with the Jamek Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, built a year later. Some accounts say sailors approaching Colombo harbour used the mosque as a landmark. It originally held 1,500 worshippers, and an expansion in 1975 set out to raise its capacity to 10,000.
The mosque is a place of worship first, so plan your visit around prayer times and Fridays, when it is busiest. Dress modestly and keep your voice low if you go inside. Many visitors simply admire the facade from the street, which is where the best photographs are taken, especially in morning light.
The name Pettah comes from the Tamil pettai, a term for a suburb outside a fort, and the Sinhala name, pita-kotuwa, means the same thing: outside the fort. Other landmarks within a few streets include the Khan Clock Tower, the Old Town Hall, Kayman's Gate and the Colombo Dutch Museum. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for the mosque itself and then explore the surrounding market streets on foot, which include the Old Town Hall Market, Manning Market and the Cross Street bazaars.
Wolvendaal Church, the 18th-century Dutch church, is a short walk away, and together the two buildings show how many communities have shaped this part of the city. The Pettah markets and the Old Town Hall are around the corner, and the Fort district with the Old Dutch Hospital is just to the west if you want somewhere quieter for lunch afterwards.
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque FAQs
Why is it called the Red Mosque?
Because of its candy-striped red and white exterior.
When was it built?
Construction began in 1908 and was completed in 1909.
Who built it?
The self-taught builder Habibu Lebbe Saibu Lebbe, for South Indian traders based in Pettah.
What style is it?
Indo-Saracenic, blending Indo-Islamic and Indian elements with Gothic Revival and Neoclassical touches.
Where is it?
On Second Cross Street in Pettah, Colombo.
Can I photograph the mosque?
Yes, the facade is best photographed from the street, ideally in morning light.
When should I avoid visiting?
Prayer times and Fridays are the busiest, so tourists are best visiting at other times.
What is nearby?
Wolvendaal Church, the Pettah markets and the Fort district.