If Galle were a country—land-locked on three sides and facing the
vast, azure sweep of the Indian Ocean—it would stand resilient on the
world stage by virtue of its own unmistakable character. For Galle is
shaped not by a single element but by an entire constellation of its
heritage, its people, its food, its culture, and the sheer nearness of
all these experiences to one another.
Galle Fort, the iconic poster-image of Sri Lanka, certainly draws eyes from across the world—but it is only a fragment of what Galle truly offers. As a coastal town in the Southern Province, Galle offers a vibrant tapestry of fresh seafood, harvested from ocean to plate and authentically regional. Even today, alongside modern fishing practices, the traditional stilt fishing ('Ritipanna')—where fishermen balance on slender stilts against the crashing waves—remains on display, carrying forward the essence of Southern heritage.
Food in Galle is colourful and soulful in its signature Southern cuisine. The spices, the vegetables, the greens—all grow in the area, naturally sourced and naturally flavourful. For anyone visiting Galle, two culinary experiences are essential: a plate of fresh local seafood, and a Sri Lankan rice-and-curry prepared the true Southern way, complete with fish, curries, and that unmistakable pol sambol done in the Galle style. Galle’s street food—from hot kottu to quick bites that carry the spirit of the South—adds its own music to the palate.
But food alone does not define Galle. It is always paired with something deeper: hospitality. As a global image of Sri Lanka, Galle understands its place and receives its visitors with unmatched warmth. Everywhere you go, there is something to see, someone to meet, and a story waiting to be shared. Spend one evening in the Galle Fort, and you’ll understand why people remember it for a lifetime. On one side, flocks of visitors gather to watch the sun set beyond the ramparts. On the green, young boys play cricket—a living emblem of Sri Lankan identity—while others kick a football or fly kites. Families rest on the grass, couples find quiet corners, newlyweds pose for photographs, and vendors carry trays of street food and crafts. Life, culture, and joy merge effortlessly here.
From this hospitality rises the cultural soul of Galle. In Ambalangoda, intricate mask-carving traditions continue. Along the coast, ritipanna silhouettes stand firm against the horizon. Inland, paddy fields and plantations of tea, rubber, and coconut shape the rhythm of rural life. The Martin Wickramasinghe Museum in Koggala preserves this story in its artefacts and images of a coastal society that still lives today.
Religion, too, has woven itself into Galle's culture over the centuries. Temples, mosques, churches, and kovils all coexist within and around the Fort, making Galle a truly multicultural and multireligious home.
And then, there is the scenery. Much of what one sees in Galle—beaches, waves, greenery—may exist elsewhere in the region. But what sets Galle apart is the sheer proximity of it all. A two-and-a-half-hour train ride from Colombo carries you from bustling streets to the salty breeze of a Southern paradise. Step outside Galle Railway Station, and the Fort stands in full majesty right before your eyes. Five minutes later, you are walking within its ancient walls—a living museum of South Asian colonial history. Unlike many historical sites frozen in time, the Fort breathes: government offices, schools, places of worship, homes, shops, cafés, and hotels all operate within this UNESCO World Heritage site. On a good day, you can even watch a cricket match at the Galle International Stadium directly from the ramparts.
Galle’s deeper history extends far beyond the familiar colonial
chapters. Though often attributed to the arrival of Lorenzo de Almeida
and later the Dutch, Galle appears in historical records as far back
as the 1st century. While the colonial legacy is well preserved in one
place, the older echoes of Galle lie scattered across the region—in
stones, books, carvings, and ruins—awaiting the curious explorer.
Beyond
the Fort lie the beaches of Unawatuna, the surfer-friendly tides of
Weligama, and the coral reefs of Hikkaduwa. Ambalangoda offers
unparalleled seafood and ancient craft traditions. Madol Doova in
Koggala invites readers of Martin Wickramasinghe to step inside a
story they once imagined. Rumassala brings myth, nature, and
spirituality together. Main Street bursts with life, goods, and
produce.
Drive two hours inland and the entire tone of Galle shifts. Coconut groves give way to green paddy fields, then to tea-covered hills and quiet rubber plantations. Soon, you descend into the lush sanctuaries of Sinharaja and Kanneliya. Here, the air is still, the sounds are soft, and the world seems untouched. Birds, monkeys, streams of cold, pure water, and endemic flora paint a picture entirely different from that of the coast. It is hard to believe that an ecosystem of such tranquillity exists just a short journey away.
And so, Galle is not defined by individual elements. Its strength lies
in the blend of history, culture, food, nature, hospitality, identity,
and the remarkable closeness of all these experiences. Combined, they
form a place capable of sustaining itself with the dignity of a
nation.
This is why we chose “From Galle to Globe” as the
theme of our inaugural Model United Nations conference. As a club
committed to sustainable excellence and conscious global citizenship,
we wanted our very first step onto the international stage to honour
the place that shaped us. We wanted our identity to travel with us—to
resonate beyond our shores, to tell our story, and to pay tribute to
our roots.
Thus, SDIMUN 2026 sets sail on a grand voyage
from Galle to the globe on the 21st and 22nd of February 2026. We
invite you to join us virtually as we bring the spirit of Galle to the
world. And one day, when you have the chance to walk through Galle
yourself, visit some of these places—and let them speak to you the way
they have spoken to generations.
Do not forget to say
hello at sdcg.mun@gmail.com when you do.
For the Executive
Committee of SDIMUN 2026,
Composed and written by,
Manjithe
Senanayake,
Secretary-General, First Edition of SDIMUN.
Please
direct comments, suggestions, or concerns through our Linktree or via
sdcg.mun@gmail.com
