Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque Mosque

Address: Jami Ul‑Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque), Pettah, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Hours: Daily; visitors are advised to visit outside main prayer times

Admission: Free

The Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, commonly called the Red Mosque, is a historic mosque in the Pettah district of Colombo, Sri Lanka, known for its distinctive red-and-white patterned exterior. It dates to the early 20th century and is a prominent visual landmark in Colombo’s historic commercial quarter.

The mosque is noted for its patterned exterior treatment and a simple, spacious prayer hall used by the local Muslim community. It functions as an active place of worship and a familiar architectural landmark for visitors to the Pettah area.

Constructed in the early 1900s, the mosque reflects the period’s fusion of South Asian and colonial-era architectural influences in its decorative approach. It stands amidst the dense streets of Pettah close to Colombo Fort and the main market areas.

Geographically the mosque sits in central Colombo’s Pettah district, within walking distance of Colombo Fort and the city’s main commercial areas.

• Pettah location: Located in the Pettah commercial district of central Colombo, the mosque is a landmark easily seen from busy nearby streets and markets.

What to See#

• Striped façade: The mosque’s exterior is notable for its red-and-white patterned brick and plaster façades, which create a striped appearance that is visible from the surrounding Pettah streets.
• Prayer hall: A single large prayer hall serves the congregational functions and retains a simple interior layout typical of early 20th-century South Asian mosque design.

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (the “Red Mosque”) is in the Pettah district of central Colombo. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk from Colombo Fort railway station and is well within walking distance of the Pettah bus area where many city routes stop. From Bandaranaike International Airport the drive to central Colombo is roughly 30-45 minutes (about 35 km) via the expressway; the mosque is in the city centre and is easiest reached by train to Colombo Fort or by any bus terminating in Pettah.

• Go early in the morning before the surrounding Pettah market gets busiest - the striking red‑and‑white façade photographs best in soft light with fewer passersby.
• Approach the mosque from the Pettah market side (the mosque sits amid the bazaar); many visitors only photograph the exterior but stepping around the block gives better framing and context with the busy streets.
• Be aware that interior access and photography can be restricted during prayer times; if you want to go inside, check local prayer schedules or ask at the entrance to avoid visiting during a service.