This is a painting of Colombo by the famous Australian artist Donald Friend. It depicts the city as it stood several decades ago as the centre of trade and commerce. The busy harbour, the Galle Face Green, parts of the Colombo Fort and several grand old buildings which are etched in detail are landmarks of Colombo even today. The artist lived in Sri Lanka, then called Ceylon, from 1957-1961 and is considered to be among the most important artists of the 20th century. The painting was commissioned by Mackinnon Mackenzie of Ceylon Ltd. and became a property of the Keells Group with the acquisition of the Mackinnons Group in 1974.