සිතියම

 

මට සිංහල  අමතක වුනානෙ                            Adam’s Peak

Rising majestically into the clouds, the Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada is Sri Lanka’s most celebrated mountain. Not only is it a site of incredible natural beauty, but it is also one that is considered sacrosanct by all Sri Lankans. Its name, Sri Pada or Sacred Footprint derives from the footprint shaped indentation on the summit of the mountain. The mountain is also called the Samanala Kanda either in reference to the deity Saman who is said to guard the mountain or in reference to Samanallu or Butterflies whose annual migrations bring them to the peak. In a strange phenomenon of nature, these legions of lovely butterflies ascend the mountain.

Anuradhapura

From immense Dagobas to mysterious forest monasteries, this vast city of ruins bears witness to the great Sinhalese civilization which flourished for almost 2000 years. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka; famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital in Sri Lanka on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya.

Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay is a bay that is situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka’s southeast coast. The bay is located 320 km due east of Colombo and is a popular surfing and tourist destination. The area is rich in bird life and wildlife which is widespread in nearby jungle areas, wetlands and lagoons.

Bentota

A Sri Lankan coastal city that is famous for golden beaches, Bentota is situated on the southern coastal tip of the Galle District of the Southern Province. The town is a popular tourist attraction and also a favorite destination for water sports.

Dalada Maligawa – Temple of the Tooth

This magnificent temple is situated in the heart of Kandy, the Hill Capital of Sri Lanka and has the distinction of being the most sacred shrine of the Buddhist world. It is here that the sacred Tooth relic of the Lord Buddha has found its final resting place and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. In contrast to the simplicity of the exterior, the interior of the building feature rich décor and carvings in wood, ivory and lacquer. In a two-story inner shrine, lies the sacred Tooth Relic flanked by two massive elephant tusks. It rests on a solid gold lotus flower and is enclosed in jewelled caskets that sit upon a throne. Although a holy shrine of Buddhism, the temple and the related festival attracts people from all religions and walks of life for their grandeur and beauty. It is a symbol of Sri Lanka’s cultural and religious heritage, an iconic monument which commands awe and respect.

Dambulla

The great city of Dambulla is home to many mementoes of the majestic Sri Lankan civilisation that existed in centuries past. Here, one can take a journey through time to marvel at the sophistication and culture of the countrymen who inhabited the land in ancient times. Among the sites to visit in Dambulla, the most important would be the Dambulla Cave Temple which is also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla that is believed to date back to the first century BC. Apart from the historical monuments and natural beauty of the surroundings, the footprints of modernity have also made an everlasting impression.

Galle Fort

In the south of Sri Lanka, the city of Galle stands witness of a colourful colonial era. It is a place of beautiful sandy beaches, ancient buildings and historical monuments. The heart of the city is its Old Dutch Fort where a romantic old-world atmosphere takes you back in time to an era when those from other lands ruled the country, leaving enduring mementos of their stay. The best way to experience the historical aura of the Fort is to take a stroll along its walls on an evening when the mighty bastions are lit by the rays of the setting sun. With quaint names such as the Sun, Moon, Star, Neptune and Triton Bastions, these great edifices were once the mainstays of guards who protected the Fort both day and night.

Gampola

Among the remnants of the Gampola era, the most famous temples are Lankathilaka, Gadaladeniya and Embekka Devalaya. The ancient stone scripts (Shila Lekhana) of Lankathilaka temple helps to reveal a considerable amount of vital information regarding the Gampola era. The statue of Buddha in the temple indicates a style that of of south Indian artistry. The Embekka Dewalaya also possess a large collection of Wood Carvings which is rare to temples in Sri Lanka. Gampola era wood carvings are known to be the best wood carvings in Sri Lanka with the Embekke Devalaya having the finest wood carvings of them all.

Kataragama

Kataragama is a place where multi-religious, multi-ethnic communities of Sri Lanka mingle in a timeless celebration of colour and spirituality. Kataragama with its holy shrines, draws pilgrims from all religious communities including Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians that arrive from around the country and beyond. Every year thousands of devotees undertake an amazing pilgrimage by foot to Kataragama. The longest route taken by these pilgrims is from the Jaffna peninsula which is located in the north of the island to the holy town of Kataragama, that is located in the South of the island. Known as the paada yatra or voyage by foot, this is a tradition that dates back to ancient times when Kataragama was the principal focus of worship.

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is located northwest in the town of Kegalle, Sri Lanka. The aim of the orphanage is to simulate the natural world and is very popular among local and foreign tourists. The main attraction is the opportunity to observe elephants from a broad river bank as the herd interacts, bathes and plays. Visitors to the park can also observe many different aspects of the orphanage which include the daily routines of elephants such as bottle feeding calves to feeding elephants as well as the close attention and care provided to them by the orphanage staff.

Polonnaruwa

Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains as one of the best planned archeological sites in the country and stands testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom’s first rulers. The Parakrama Samudraya, a huge lake that was built in 1200 A.C., is an amazing ancient construction which lies in a lush green environment and is a definite attraction to local and foreign tourists. Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO and is home to a range of hotels which offer great hospitality.

Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya

The Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya lies on a total land mass of 147 acres and is located in close proximity to the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is renowned for its large collection of over 300 types of Orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palms trees.

Sigiriya

The ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya with its stunning frescoes and famed mirror wall is the keeper of many fascinating legends. Sigiriya remains a reflection of the creativity and ingenuity of its builders. The site plan cleverly combines concepts of symmetry and asymmetry to interconnect the man-made geometrical and natural forms of the environment. Sigiriya is a precious reminder of the great civilisation that existed in Sri Lanka many centuries ago. To walk through its gardens and climb the mighty rock is a journey through a glorious past and a proud heritage.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Located in the south-west of Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is a national park and a biodiversity hotspot which was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is of international significance and has been designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978. The hilly virgin rainforest which is part of the countries lowland rain forests ecoregion, was saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility. The reserve is 21 km from east to west and a maximum of 7 km from north to south and is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Trincomalee

Trincomalee is a port city that is located in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka and lies on the east coast of the island. Trincomalee’s strategic importance has shaped its recent history. The great European powers vied for mastery of the harbour. The Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, and the English, each held it in turn, and there have been many sea battles nearby. The harbour, the fifth largest natural harbour in the world, is overlooked by terraced highlands, its entrance is guarded by two headlands, and there is a carriage road along its northern and eastern edges.

Whales and Dolphins

Sri Lanka has quickly become a major destination for Whale and Dolphin watching. Popular locations with frequent sightings in the island is the west coast which include Alakuda beach in Kalpitiya, Mirissa and Dondra Point located down south and the east coast of Trincomalee. Whale and dolphin sightings are also popular in the western coastal cities of Aluthgama, Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa with a high concentration of blue whales and sperm whales being spotted in the seas off Dondra.

World’s End – Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains is a popular tourist destination with World’s End being the key attraction. World’s End is a sheer precipice with a 4,000 ft (1,219 m) drop. Horton Plains National Park is a protected area located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane grasslands and cloud forests. This plateau is rich in biodiversity with many species found here being endemic to the region. The Horton Plains are the headwaters of three major Sri Lankan rivers, the Mahaweli, Kelani and Walawe. Large herds of Sri Lankan Sambar Deer feature as typical mammals, and the park is also an important Bird Watching area with many species not only endemic to Sri Lanka but restricted to the Horton Plains.

Yala National Park

The Yala National Park or Ruhuna National Park is the second largest and most visited national park in Sri Lanka. Yala is situated in the southeast region of the country and lies in the Southern and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres and was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals and is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka. Yala harbours 215 bird species including six endemic species of the country. The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.