Places For interest
Colombo derived from Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means "mango harbour", altered by the Portuguese to honor Christopher Columbus, population 737,396 Colombo, is the largest city and commercial center of Sri Lanka. Colombo was probably known to Roman, Arab, and Chinese traders more than 2,000 years ago. Muslims settled there in the 8th century and controlled much of the trade between Sinhalese kingdoms and the outside world. The Portuguese arrived in the 16th century and built a fort to protect their spice trade. The Dutch captured the city in the 17th century. The British made the city the capital of their crown colony of Ceylon in 1802.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage - Started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded, the orphanage has grown to be a big family today. The number of elephants has increased to more than 80 now, including baby elephant brought from various parts, as well as 50 babies born as a result of the captive breeding program. The best time to visit is the feeding time and the bathing time when the elephant are taken to the river close by. A unique experience never to be missed.
Trincomalee -Known as Trinco, to the locals, it is one of the World's best deep harbours and the reason why many Sri Lankans speak English. Following settlement by the Portugese, then the Dutch, the British ousted them both and colonized Ceylon . As the East was home to the Tamil Tigers, the British Peacekeeping force took residency in 1940's at Orrs Hill. With spectacular views of the harbour, the Head office has now been converted into the Welcombe Hotel. Trinco, is now an amalgam of naval and military post, thriving market, economic centre and wonderful beaches and diving. The better beaches are 20 minutes North in Nilaveli.
Koneswaram Kovil and Swami Rock - Trinco has a historical fort and is well worth a meander. As you reach the penninusular you will see Swarmi Rock dropping 130 m into Bay of Bengal . Locally known as Lover's Leap due to historic legend that a Dutch official's daughter threw herself off after watching her unfaithful husband desert her by sea. Also at the peak sits the important temple Koneswaram Kovil, replaced after the Portugese pushed the original into the sea in 1624. Many pilgrims from Jaffna visit this holy site and drive evil spirits away through smashing coconuts followed by prayers in the temple. Many divers chose this area to see old temple relics but make sure that you check the conditions as during July, large numbers of Portugese man-of-war drift to the shore and may become stranded.The sting is serious.
Nilaveli Beach resort - Perhaps the best beaches of the East Coast and excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling. Just off shore lies Pigeon Island which has superb coves home to the Blue Rock pigeon and a shaley beach for sunbathers looking to escape for the day. The hot springs at Kanniyai are just 8km away and known for their therapeutic properties. There is some controversy as to their Hindu origin but the 7 natural hot spring wells each have a different temperature. Not for swimmers but be sure to get wet.
Anuradhapura - For over 1000 years Singhalese Kings with occasional South Indian interlopers rule from the great city of Anuradhapura . It is the most extensive and important of the Sri Lankan ancient cities. Anuradhapura was founded in the 4 th century BC. Anuradhapura is famous for its Dagobas ( Temples ), Reservoirs, and beautifully landscaped gardens, the ruins of which still remain to this day. The sacred Bo Tree (the world's oldest tree on record) "Jayasri Maha Bodhi" and the "Ruwanwali Seya" Temple are two of Sri Lanka 's most sacred places found in Anuradhapura . In addition to this there are many other historical and religious sites found in Anuradhapura
Polonnaruwa is 218 kilometers from Colombo , yet another well planned medieval city defended by enclosing walls, graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes which bears witness to a glorious past. A dominant feature of the city, is the vast irrigation lake of 5940 acres aptly named "Parakrama Samudraya" or the sea of Parakrama after its royal builder King Parakramabahu depicting an example of the advanced engineering and construction skills prevailent during the ancient times. This gigantic reservoir was built to collect rainwater, which did not permit a drop of water to go waste .
Sigiriya The spectacular Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, 19 kilometers North East of Dambulla is one of Sri Lanka 's major attractions. Some theories affirm that Sigiriya was a Mahayana Buddhist monastery or that it was both citadel and hermitage at different times. The Citadel in the sky Sigiriya is a fantastic display of the ancient Sri Lankan architecture.
The Rock was the Fortress of the "King Kasyapa" who murdered his father and stole the throne from his elder brother who was the rightful heir to the throne. Kasyapa built his fortress in this 182-meter high rock to protect himself from his enemies. The Nigeria rock consists of the central rock, rising 200 meters above the surrounding plain, and the two rectangular precincts on the East (90 hectares) and the West (40 hectares), surrounded by two moats and three ramparts.
Dambulla The Great Cave Temple of Dam bulla is 100 to 150 meters above the road in the southern part of the village of Dambulla . The gigantic rock towering more than 160 m above the surrounding area is 1.5 km. These caves were the refuge of King Walagamba when he was exiled for 14 years. On his return to the throne in the 1st
century BC, King Walagamba had a magnificent rock temple built in Dambulla. Dambulla too has been designated as a World Heritage site. The caves feature a mixture of religious and worldly paintings and sculptures. Several reclining Buddha statues and a 15 m long sculpture of the dying Buddha. The famous Dambulla frescoes on the walls and ceiling dates back to the 15th-18th Centuries.
Spice Garden see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamoms', Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices.
Batik Factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints. The shop contains a wide variety of Batik items.
Kandy is an ancient hill capital and the last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings before the island was finally ceded to the British in 1815. It bears strong influence of the influence of Buddhism in the country and is revered by Buddhists as a sacred city because of the 'Dalada Maligawa" - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Kandy is the venue of the annual glittering pageant each August where the Buddha's Tooth Relic in a golden casket is paraded on a majestic elephant accompanied by over 100 elephants, fire dancers, and ceremonial whip crackers, dancers and drummers.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - ever since 4 th Century A.D, when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an 'Orissan princess' hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka 's most prized possession.
The Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya is 06 kms from Kandy , the magnificent river girdled 57 hectare laid out in 1832 are among the finest in the world. Its treasures of tropical flora include fine collections of orchids, aromatic spices, medicinal herbs, palms and rare endangered plant species. These gardens were the naturally camouflaged operations headquarters of SEAC Supreme Allied Commander, Lord Louis Mountbatten during the 2 nd World War.
Gem Museum - Sri Lanka 's gem industry has a very long and colorful history. Sri Lanka was affectionately known as Ratna - Dweepa which means Gem Island . The name is a reflection of its natural wealth. Marco Polo wrote that the island had the best sapphires, topazes, amethysts, and other gems in the world . Ptolemy, the second century astronomer recorded that beryl and sapphire were the mainstay of Sri Lanka 's gem industry
Nuwara Eliya - "The City of Light " was the favorite hill station of the British, a scenic town 2500 m above sea level surrounded by misty mountain ranges, pine forests and tea cultivations. Nuwara Eliya has a much cooler climate, which is in stark contrast to the tropical climate experienced in other parts of the island. This is probably why Nuwara Eliya is also known as 'Little England'.
The areas around Nuwara Eliya also provide the main output of tea in Sri Lanka . A trip to the highlands of Sri Lanka is never complete without witnessing the age-old traditional tea plucking and sipping a cup of "Ceylon Tea". Nuwara Eliya has a fair assortment of British Country style houses and an 18 hole Golf Course, which is a real beauty with its scenic location considered to be one of the finest in Asia and a picturesque Race Course where horse races are held.
Yala also known as Ruhuna National Park after the 2 nd Century BC civilization of the Ruhuna Kingdom . The ancient civilization is apparent from the remains of the dagobas and the still self-serviceable artificial lakes/tanks that still exists and play a vital role in retaining rain water for the fauna. A rugged terrain characterized by scrub forest and stunning rock outcrops, with open areas and waterholes. Out of the 126, 786 hectares of land, only 14, 101 hectares is open to visitors. The rest of the terrain is accessible only to permitted researchers and those living in scattered villages within the Sanctuary.
Galle Dutch Fort - Old Galle is a world heritage site; a unique example of a preserved 17th C colonial Fortress. The Galle Fort itself is still a living monument with a bustling community within the great ramparts, massive bastions, pepper pot towers, while narrow streets display its Dutch heritage with beckoning pillared verandas and fretwork facades .
Turtle Hatchery - At the north end of Induruwa is one of the turtle hatcheries set up to protect turtle eggs till they hatch. Turtle eggs, which would otherwise be eaten, are bought for a few rupees each from local fishermen & re-buried along the beach. Once hatched, the baby turtles are kept in holding tanks. Small tanks contain hundreds of one to three-day old turtles, as well as larger one, including an albino, kept for the collection. In the night, you can release a three-day-old turtle into the Indian Ocean to fend off itself.
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