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COLOMBO
The sea-port capital of the island, commercial and administrative
center of over 1 million inhabitants. Places of interests
are: the ‘Pettah’ wholesale market; the business
center of “Fort” the residential area of Cinnamon
Gardens, Several Buddhist temples, Hindu Kovils and Christian
churches, the Town Hall, Victoria Park, the War Memorial,
and the Parliament at Kotte. International Airport at
Katunayake is 24 miles north of Colombo.
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GALLE
115 kms from Colombo on the south coast, this fortified
sea-port city of the Dutch who ruled maritime Ceylon from
the mid 17th Century to the close of the 18th, still boasts
a well preserved fort and ramparts,` which contain many
gracious old Dutch house, an old Dutch church and monuments
with armorial bearings.
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MOUNT
LAVINIA
6 miles south of Colombo by the coast, famous for the
colonial Mount Lavinia Hotel. |
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NEGOMBO
A sea resort North West of Colombo, known as ‘little
Rome’ for its predominantly Catholic population,
is a big fishing center. The best place to photograph
fishermen and their picturesque vessels – the catamarans. |
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BENTOTA
A beautiful beach resort, 40 miles south of Colombo. The
golden beach is glorious in its natural beauty and the
sunsets somehow seem too good to be true. Boating and
water sports on the Bentota River. |
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BERUWELA
A coastal town very near Bentota – an easy going
place to laze, swims and soaks up the tropical sun. |
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HIKKADUWA
Beach resort famous for its coral reef, marine life and
sapphire seas. Scuba diving and snorkeling equipment available
on hire at most Hotels in the area. |
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TRINCOMALEE
Trincomalee is a tropical city on the east coast of Sri
Lanka. With one of the finest harbors in the world, Trinco
enjoys warm weather all year round and beautiful beaches.
It also hosts a famous Hindu temple, as well as great
hotels. |
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JAFFNA
Jaffna, city and seaport, northern Sri Lanka, capital
of Northern Province, on a peninsula. The city is the
trading center for the surrounding region in which coconuts,
rice, and tobacco are grown. The city was occupied by
the Portuguese and Dutch, successively, in the 17th and
18th centuries. The British seized the region in 1795. |
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ANURADHAPURA
This is Ceylon’s ancient capital (5th century
B.C. to 10th century A.D.) now declared a Buddhist holy
city. Amongst the many religious and historical cities
are the Sri Maha Boghi (Sacred Bo tree) the oldest documented
tree in the world which came from a sapling from the
tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment; the
Brazen Palace built in the 2nd century B.C; the Ruwanweli
Seya and the Thuparama Dagoba, the oldest in the country
and believed to enshrine the collarbone of the Buddha.
POLONNARUWA
An ancient medieval capital of Ceylon still retains
the beauty of its monuments, giant statues and dagobas
built by the Kings of Ceylon. Many interesting well-preserved
temple shrines and other buildings mostly of 12th century
vintage. Of special significance is the “Gal Vihare”
(stone temple) with three of the world’s most
exquisite Buddha images carved out of solid granite.
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KANDY
Almost encircled by the Mahaweli ganga-Sri Lanka’s
Hill Capital. Home to sacred Temple of the Tooth relic.
Close by is the Royal Botonical Gardens at Peradeniya
with its fine collection of the orchids. The Kandy Arts
& Crafts Association and the market area are also
interesting places to visit. Daily cultural shows featuring
Sri Lanka dances.
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SIGIRIYA
A monolith, which rises 600ft from the flat, scrub jungle,
and once contained the palace and gardens of patricide
King Kassayapa. Tackle the giddy climb up sigiriya Rock,
to view the remains of the Royal citadel on the summit.
The famous frescoes are painted in a sheltered pocket
on the sheer cliff face.
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DAMBULLA
Rock temple with beautiful Buddhist murals. |
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MIHINTALE
A little rock temple in a serene setting, marks the site
where Arahath Mahinda introduced Buddhism to
Sri Lanka. |
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AUKANA
Magnificent undamaged image of the Buddha from the 5th
century. |
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MATALE
Situated just north of Matale is Aluvihara Rock Temple.
It was here, in the 2nd century BC, that the Buddhist
scriptures known as the Tripitika were first committed
to writing, a task that required the endeavour of hundreds
of monks. |
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PINNAWELA
An interesting and amusing visit to an elephant orphanage
where one can come in close contact with the near 100
orphaned elephants while they are given their daily bath
and feed. |
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NUWARA
ELIYA
Nestling 6,200 feet in the central mountains, in a region
where Ceylon’s best teas are grown, this was a hill
resort for the locals who prefer the cool climate. Also
boasts of a fine 18 hole Golf Course. |
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BANDARAWELA
Quiet countryside in the hill country amongst tea plantations-salubrious
climes, ideal for scenic treks and relaxation. |
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RATNAPURA
The “city of Gems” – center of Sri Lanka’s
gem mining industry. |
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