Galle Face Green, Urban park along the coast in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Galle Face Green is a lawn along the Indian Ocean in Colombo, Sri Lanka, stretching about 500 meters along the coast. The green space separates the ocean promenade from the main road and offers several paved paths for walkers.

The Dutch laid out the esplanade so their cannons had a clear line of fire against the Portuguese. In the early 1820s Governor Edward Barnes had the marshy ground filled and levelled for a race course about one and a half miles long, and the first recorded race meet was held in 1821. Governor Henry Ward authorised a one-mile seaside promenade in 1856, completed in 1859.

The name may come from the Dutch Gal Gate, the fort gateway facing Galle, with faas meaning front; another account traces it to Gal Bokka, Sinhalese for rocky shore. On weekend evenings vendors sell cooked crabs, prawns and mango slices with pepper and salt. The national day celebration is held here each 4 February.

Access is possible throughout the day and no entry fee is charged. Snack and drink stands usually open in the late afternoon and stay open past sunset.

The Colombo Club building, once the Race Bungalow of the Colpetty Race Course, still stands at the green's edge and now serves as the Crystal Ballroom of the Taj Samudra Hotel. Horse racing ran here from the early 1820s until 1893, when the sport moved to the Colombo Racecourse.