"The
Emerald Island”
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An introduction to Sri Lanka
Many ancient sites are worth a visit including Anuradhapura,
Dambulla, Panduwasnuwara, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Yapahuwa.
They have the remains of a great civilization, which
grew through the centuries under the control of Buddhism, a
gentle faith still present in the country in its purest form.
Large park, vast man-made lakes, shrines, temples and monasteries
speak eloquently of the glorious past and bear testimony to a
cultured and imaginative people.
Colombo
Colombo is a enchanting capital city, combining its
older culture with modern influences. A palm-fringed drive of
34 kilometres or 21 miles leads from the Katunayake (Colombo) International Airport to Colombo.
Fort was a military occupation during the Portuguese
and Dutch
influence
from the 16th to the 18th century. Today
it is the commercial capital of the country. Pettah,
2 kilometres or 1 mile from Fort, is the busy shopping area.
The Vihara Maha Devi Park was named after the
mother of one of Sri Lanka’s greatest kings. It is renowned
for its selection of beautiful flowering gardens, a blossoming
spectacle in March, April and early May. The park is open
until 9.00 pm every day.
The Parliament Building is located at Sri Jayawardenepura,
Kotte.
Some other places of interest are the Planetarium,
the National Zoological Gardens and museums and
art galleries.
Buddhist Temples
 Kelani
Rajamaha Viharaya, 10 kilometres or 6 miles from Fort.
Vajiraramaya
at Bambalapitiya, 6 kilometres or 4 miles from Fort.
Dipaduttaramaya
at Kotahena, 5 kilometres or 3 miles from Fort.
Gotami
Vihare at Borella, 7 kilometres or 4.5 miles from Fort.
Some other places of interest are:
Gangaramaya
Bhikkhu Training Centre and Sima Malaka located at 61
Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo, 3 kilometres or 2 miles from Fort.
Purana
Viharaya at Metharamaya, Lauries Road, Colombo 4.
Purana
Viharaya at Hendala, 0.8 kilometres or 0.5 miles on the Colombo–Negombo
road, en route to the Pegasus Reef Hotel.
Hindu Temples
Kochikade Kotahena, the Pettah and Bambalapitiya,
Colombo 4.
Sri
Siva Subramania Swami Kovil, Gintupitiya is within a short walk from Sea Street, Colombo 11 (Pettah).
Mosques
Davatagaha
mosque at Union Place, Colombo 2; Afar.
Jumma
mosque in the Pettah.
Kandy and The Hill Country
Kandy is a picturesque built up town, 115 kilometres or
72 miles from Colombo and was the last stronghold of the Kandyan
Kings. It evaded foreign defeat until 1815 when it
was ceded by treaty to the British. It is now a cultural sanctuary
where age old customs, rituals, arts, crafts and ways of life
are well conserved.
Good sightseeing trips should take in:
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa)
Embekke Deval
Lankatillaka
Gadaladeniya
Degaldoruwa temples
Royal Botanic Gardens
Peradeniya
Elephants’ Bath at Katugastota
Kandyan Arts Association
Kalapura (Craftsmen’s Village) at Nattarampotha
6.5 kilometres or 4 miles from Kandy.
Henawela
Village famous for its ‘Dumbara Mats’
16 kilometres or 10 miles from Kandy. |
