[1] It is the oldest and the largest local government authority in Sri Lanka which covers a resident population of over 600,000 (as of 2001).

[2] Colombo is a charter city, with a Mayor Council form of government.

Usually the appointment would be made from an officer seconded from the Sri Lanka Administrative Service.

The UNP as held majority in the council and post of Mayor since the party was formed in 1947, with two brief exceptions.

[9] The former Mayoress Rosy Senanayake, the first female Mayor of Colombo, was elected in 2018 representing the UNP.

Four national leaders, which includes two presidents, J. R. Jayewardene and Ranasinghe Premadasa; one prime minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, and an independence activist Vivienne Goonewardene started their political career by contesting for the Colombo municipal council.