cheap accomodation in colombo

anyone have any recommendations for low budget accomodation for a week to ten days in colombo starting the 3rd of december? my mom's making a short visit to get an Indian visa and we're really working on a shoe-string budget this time.... preferably somewhere near the centre of town (is there an area with budget hotels? as in other south asian capitals); the cheaper the better and a way to keep transportation costs to a minimum as well (too far out of town and that would start affecting our budget too). it would be basic accomodation, nothing fancy as long as its clean.

your replies really appreciated - any suggestions and recommendations?!

many thanks!

Here is a site w/ some info about YWCA accomodation in Colombo. If that does not suit, just go to google and enter in 'cheap accomodations in Colombo Sri Lanka'.

http://hotels.lonelyplanet.com/accommodation/-P1000346440.html

HI,
If the trip is more or less just for an Indian via, why not go to Kandy to get it.
Kandy is a couple more hours from the airport but a much more pleasant place to stay .
There's plenty of cheap accomodation there both in the town or close by , temperature is better, the air is better and in my opinion much more to see while you're waiting.

Rod.

Hi Rod!

thanks so much for the info, though doesn't it take longer to get one in Kandy? my mom's just got a week... as she already has an airticket to fly back on and she has a really tight budget this time around.....!

Hi,
Not sure of the time it takes but last trip, I was in the " Pub " in Kandy, chatting to a few people who were over from India for that very purpose.
They had allowed a week and found a little cheap guest house in Kandy. I think their applications were in and they seemed quite happy with the time schedule.
Perhaps someone who has renewed their visa there can come on and give some idea of the time taken.
I can't see why the time should be any different to Colombo.
Rod.

thanks, i heard it takes a couple of days extra should be allowed because Kandy actually forwards the application to Colombo.... for processing.

thanks for the recommendation... really great information.