If you eat one thing in Colombo, make it kottu roti — chopped flatbread fried on a hot iron plate with egg, vegetables, and a choice of meat or fish, prepared to the rhythmic clang of metal scrapers that is the soundtrack of Sri Lankan street food. Hotel de Pilawoos on Galle Road in Bambalapitiya is one of the best-known kottu places in the city: open 24 hours, busy all night, and turning out consistent kottu at very low prices.
Order the chicken kottu; specify how spicy you want it. Add a glass of cold faluda (a Sri Lankan rose-flavoured milk drink with basil seeds) and you've had the essential Colombo late-night meal. The original Pilawoos is on Galle Road; several branches now exist.