The topography of Colombo is predominantly flat, characteristic of a coastal plain. The city sits almost at sea level, with an average elevation of just 1 meter (3 feet), making parts of it susceptible to flooding during heavy monsoon rains.
The terrain is relatively uniform, lacking major hills or mountains within the city limits. Inland from the immediate coast, the land gently undulates. Historically, much of the area east of the city, including regions bordering the administrative capital of Kotte, consisted of marshlands and wetlands. Many of these areas have been reclaimed for urban expansion, though preserved wetlands still dot the metropolitan landscape, serving as crucial drainage basins.
