Pettah Floating Market — Attraction in Colombo

Approximately twenty years ago, in the late 1990s, the space where the Floating Market is on Bastian Mawatha was one of the worst areas in Pettah; filled with abandoned age-blackened factories and warehouses, a stinking canal from from the colonial era, shifty looking men lurking in shadowed corners and much illegal activity. In the meantime, along some of the other streets in Pettah, street sellers crowded the sidewalks with small illegal stalls, overflowing with wares, forcing the pedestrians to use middle of the road to travel. This caused several dangerous accidents causing the Urban Council of Colombo to break their heads over it. However with the civil war going on at that time in Sri Lanka, resources were scarce and nothing was done.

In the first decade of the new millennium the situation became worse, with even more street sellers blocking the streets and some even spilling into the road. The shady warehouses near the city’s main private bus depot became even more threatening, a haunt of drug dealers, criminals and other lowlife, the place stank and the ground was spattered with all sorts of unspeakable filth. Most decent people tried to avoid going down that way, trying to catch buses from other halts or buy produce elsewhere. With the war at an end the resources used in the war lay idle.

Then the Colombo Urban Council came to the decision that this could not go on. They decided to kill several birds with one stone. They engaged the Urban Development Authority  (UDA) on a beautification project that would end up costing Rs 150 Million. The UDA contacted the Ministry of Defense and requested the assistance of the Engineering Units from the Sri Lanka Army and units from the Sri Lanka Navy, who were both at the time finding themselves at a quandary with nothing to do.

The military units went to work cleaning up the surroundings of Bastian Mawatha. The canal was dredged and cleaned. Broken and abandoned warehouses were demolished and their lands used as space for the floating market. Trees were planted making the street more green and lively. The canal was extended and widened. A brilliant young architect Thushari Kariyawasam looked the space over and came up with a beautiful design of simple and rustic open-sided pagodas made of smooth grey cement and surrounded polished wooden walkways. The pagodas were built over the water on platforms placed on sturdy pillars, and were reached by wooden boardwalks. The decor was minimalistic, with simple cement cubes placed along the wide boardwalks as seats and shaded by red umbrellas that matched the orange shades of the roofs. Little interesting details that attracted the eyes were added. Surrounded by the now-clean and calm waters of the canal, the space became surrealistic.

There were spaces allocated for 92 shopping stalls, including spaces within the pagodas, little wooden huts, and spaces within boats permanently moored to the platforms. Once the structure was complete, the streets in Pettah were cleared of street hawkers, and they were moved to the Floating Market. There, they had to pay rent, but the facilities were better and it was much cleaner.

On 25 August 2014, the Floating Market of Pettah was declared open by the Health Minister, Maithripala Sirisena, who later went on to become the President...

Floating Market – Pettah, Colombo: Honest Review

Located alongside Beira Lake in the heart of Pettah, the Floating Market in Colombo is a unique concept aimed at blending shopping with scenic views. While the idea is creative and attractive, your overall experience may depend on your expectations.

What to Expect:

Ambience: The design is modern yet serene, with wooden walkways, floating pavilions, and a quiet lake that offers a break from the hustle of Pettah. Great for casual evening strolls, photoshoots, or simply sitting and watching the water.

Shops & Variety: The market hosts around 90+ shops, but many remain closed or offer limited variety. You'll find shoes, clothes, accessories, electronics, and souvenirs, but the collection is modest compared to other Colombo shopping hubs.

Food & Refreshments: A few snack stalls and juice bars operate, but choices are limited. No major restaurants. Ideal for a quick bite, not a full meal.

Cleanliness & Maintenance: Cleanliness is decent, and the wooden platforms are well-maintained. The surrounding lake adds charm, but sometimes water may appear murky.

Crowd & Atmosphere: It's less crowded than nearby Pettah streets, which makes it peaceful—but also feels a bit empty or underused at times. Best visited during the late afternoon or early evening.

Pros:

Quiet and scenic location near a busy urban area.

Ideal for a relaxed walk or date.

Good for photography lovers and tourists seeking non-commercial places.

Cons:

Limited number of open shops and food options.

Not the best place if you’re looking for big shopping deals.

Needs better promotion and upkeep to reach full potential.

Rating: 3.5/5

Final Thoughts: The Floating Market is more about the experience and location than the shopping. A great place to unwind if you're already in Pettah, but don’t expect a bustling shopping paradise. Worth visiting at least once for its...

The Pettah Floating Markets are located on Bastian Mawatha in Pettah, a neighborhood in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and consist of 92 trade stalls, with a number of the stalls established on boats on Beira Lake. The floating market serves as a tourist attraction selling local produce and local handicraft.

The development of the floating market and beautification works were carried out by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) at a cost of Rs. 150 million. Engineering units from the Sri Lanka Army in collaboration with the Urban Development Authority transformed Bastian Street, the street linking the Central Bus Stand in Pettah and the Colombo Fort railway station, into a green environment. The Sri Lanka Navy rehabilitated the polluted canal running alongside Bastian Street. The unique simple architecture of the stalls along the canal, designed by Thushari Kariyawasam, with grey cemented floors and minimalistic décor, tries to reflect the calm and undisturbed water of lake.

The markets were officially opened by the Minister of Health, Maithripala Sirisena, on 25 August 2014.

One of the objectives of the development was to relocate unlicensed street vendors off the footpaths, particularly in congested areas like the Pettah, where they had no facilities and were forcing pedestrians onto the road. Priority was given to those traders who were impacted by the redevelopment on Bastian Street. Businesses however have struggled at the floating markets due to high rents and low sales. Traders have also criticised the open nature of the stalls and boats, which restrict their ability to secure their goods overnight. The UDA has advised that it will be undertaking promotional campaigns and improving accessibility to the area in an attempt to improve visitations...