Company Roads (Sinhala: කොම්පඤ්ඤ වීදිය, lit. 'Company Roads'; Tamil: கொம்பனித்தெரு) also known as Kampong Kertel and Kompanna Veediya,^[14] formerly known as Slave Island, is a suburb in Colombo, Sri Lanka, located directly south of the Fort. The suburb contains Beira Lake, a large lake and its esplanade is visited by many for recreation. Company Roads is mostly a commercial area with hotels, shopping centres, street food stalls, and is known for its multicultural, especially Malay heritage.

Quick Facts Company Roads කොම්පඤ්ඤ වීදියகொம்பனித்தெரு, Country ...

Company Roads[1] කොම්පඤ්ඤ වීදිය கொம்பனித்தெரு
Suburb
Beira Lake and Company Roads
Company Roads[4] Show map of Central Colombo Company Roads[7] Show map of Greater Colombo Company Roads[10] Show map of Colombo District Company Roads[13] Show map of Sri Lanka
Coordinates: 6°55′37″N 79°50′55″E
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	Western Province
District	Colombo District
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone)
Postal Code	00200

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The name "Slave Island" was coined during the period of British colonial rule and was a reference to the usage of the island under Portuguese rule as a holding area for African slaves, most of them from the Swahili coast and Portuguese East Africa. Many of these slaves later returned to Africa. However, a small group of African descendants remain scattered throughout Sri Lanka and are collectively known as Sri Lankan Kaffirs.^[15]

In 2023, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister issued instructions to discontinue the use of exonym "Slave Island" in favour of "Company Roads/Kompanna Veediya”.^[16]

Company Roads is a multicultural area known for its mix of Malay, Sinhalese and Tamil cultures and is a traditional Malay cultural district in Colombo.^[17][18] The larger ethnic communities in Company Roads are the Sri Lankan Malays, Sri Lankan Muslims and Sinhalese. There are also various minorities, such as Burghers and others. Religions include Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and various other religions and beliefs.

Company Roads is served by the Company Roads Railway Station. Built with Victorian-era architectural embellishments, the station carries significant architectural and historic value. The building features stylish arches, intricate woodwork and metal installations, which emphasise Victorian-era styles.^[19]

• Rifle Barracks
• Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME)

• Consulate of Republic of Cyprus
• Consulate of Madagascar
• Consulate of Philippines
• High Commission of New Zealand

• The Seema Malakaya of the Gangarama Temple in the Beira Lake in the Company Roads area, is one of many religious structures in Colombo