Much bigger than I thought and a much larger military presence. and like a for-real military pressense. In Vietnam, they walk around with guns, etc., but in Colomnbo, they are dug in around govt. buildings. sand bags, big-ass guns, the whole thing.
That said, I never felt a moment of threat. It was a great city, though I didn't see much of it. Just paced up and down Galle and wandered the Pettah market, which was fun. Went to Victoria Park, where young couple sit under black umbrellas, huddling under trees. I think I also went to some place called Cinnamon Gardens.
But it was a nice city. Hectic but managable. Buses on Galle so often sometimes they actually pass themselves.