MAIN
CITIES ...............................................................
Sri Lanka's first
capital is situated in the dry zone. It is one
of Sri Lanka's premier ancient cities.Attractions:
The sacred Bo Tree, temples, Brazen Place, Samadhi
Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna, an Mihintale (12 kilometers
from Anuradhapura) - a rock dotted with shrines
and dwellings - a grand stairway of 1,840 steps
made of granite slabs that leads to a summit with
a splendid view of the countryside.
Batticoloa
This place surrounded by a large lagoon, home
of the famous ‘singing fish’. Certainly
in the months of April and September on moonlit
nights, you can hear a musical vibration emanating
from the waters. Batti is a quiet little place,
with a small but well-preserved Dutch fort.
Colombo
Colombo is an attractive modern city. It’s
an ideal mixture of past and present. It is the
commercial capital of the country.Attractions:
Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, churches the
old parliament building, the zoo, museums, and
art galleries.
Dambulla
Like Sigiriya, Dambulla is a vast isolated rock
mass, which houses a rock temple (formerly caves).
Some of its frescoes are over 2,000 years old
– and there is a colossal figure of the
recumbent Buddha caved out of the rock, some 14
metres long.
Galle
This is a coatel town noted for the Dutch influence..
Galle was an ancient port (said to be the legendary
Tarshish of the Bible), and the first international
commerce and trade centre. Today, Galle is the
busy provincial capital and administrative centre
of the south. It is famous for its lovely Unawatuna
Bay, where the sea is reef protected and therefore
safe for swimming. The old Dutch ‘Star’
fort (a World Heritages Site) covering 36 hectaers,
the well-preserved Groote Kerk (Dutch Church),
Dutch Government House, the New Oriental Hotel
(built in 1684) old bell tower and a tide-based
Sewage-System, also introduced by the Dutch. In
Gale they still make the Dutch ‘pillo-lace’
and do fine ebony-carving and gem-polishing.
Hambantota
Hambantota, in Sri Lanka' dry zone, is best-known
for its beautiful Crescent-shaped bay and its
slat pans,a very ancient industry, that is still
thriving. The slat pans line the main road for
over 16km.
Hikkaduwa
This area is popular for beach resorts. It’s
also known for coral and sub tropical fish. The
reef, which runs parallel to the shore and is
only a few metres below the water, can be explored
with snorkel and fippers, or in a glass-bottomed
boat. There are several wrecks in the area, which
offer interesting dives. Scuba equipment and the
services of licensed instructions are on hire
from PADI centers. A little further down the coast,
there’s good surf for board or bodysurfing.
There is a generally a community of international
surfers in and around Hikkaduwa.
Jaffna
In real terms this area is an island connecting
the rest of Sri Lanka by a narrow strip of land
which houses the Chundikkulam bird sanctuary and
a causeway known as Elephant Once up on a time
elephants used to cross the shallow lagoon at
this point.. Jaffna is justly famous for the deliciousness
of its mangoes and toddy from the palmyrah palm.
There are plenty of beaches but no resorts. The
Dutch ‘star’ fort in Jaffna is said
to be Asia’s best example of Dutch fortification.
Inside it are the King’s House and the Dutch
Church. Since Jaffna’s population is predominantly
Tamil.
Kandy
This is Sri Lanka’s hill capital andmost
beautiful town. situated 488 metres above sea
level, and next to Colombo,Kandy is Sri Lanka’s
most visited place. The focal point of the town
is the golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa, where the
sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is kept.. The
highlight of the year is the Esala Perahera, when
a replica of the relic casket is taken in procession,
accompanied by exotically costumed dancers, drummers
and some 100 elephants ,on ten glittering nights
in July/August. There are numerous shrines and
temples in and around Kandy, where you will see
rare paintings, frescoes, and stone carvings.
Don’t miss the Paradeniya Gardens, with
an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.
Kandy is an exiting place for shopping, with souvenirs
in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony, and bronze.
Ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewellery
and rush and reed-ware can also be purchased.
Kotte
Kotte,-renamed as Sri Jayawardenapura - is located
11km from Fort. Here, SriLanka’s new parliamentary
complex and administrative capital was developed.
Kurunegala
Now a thriving regional centre and the National
Capital for a brief period centuries ago. Kurunegala
also lies within the best coconut growing area
or the so called Coconut Triangle. It is famous
for the range of mountains (rocks) – Ethugala
or the Elephant Rock, Ibbagala or Tortise rock
jumbled with ruins of carved stairs and doorjambs
, Andagala or Eel rock , Kuruminigala or Beatle
rock , Wanduragala or Monkey rock and Elluwagala
or Goat rock.
Manner
Manner Island is SriLanka’s largest, covering
130 sq kms and has one of the oldest ports in
the country. The island is connected to the main
land by a 3 km long causeway. Manner has a well
preserved fort originally built by the Portuguese
in 1560 and later improved by the Dutch.
An important religious center “Tirukketishvaram
Hindu Temple“ lies on the coast of the mainland,
north of the causeway to Manner Island. Sight
seeing includes – for the naturalists the
baobab trees, introduced from Africa centuries
ago by Arab traders are especially impressive.
The Madhu Sanctuary, which is situated 40 km west
of the town of Vavniya to the north of the main
road to Manner, plays a major role for wild life
lovers / naturalists.
Matara
This place is located 160 km from Colombo and
is the end of southern railway line.There is long
stretch of beach for holiday makers. Matara also
has two excellent Dutch forts.
Negombo
A unique fishing town 6 km from the International
Airport, Negambo has a fascinating and picturesque
beachfront. The town has several buildings dating
back to the Dutch and Portuguese Colonial days.
The lagoon is famous for its harvest of lobsters,
crabs and prawns and fish auctions on the beach
that are worth a look.
Nuwara Eliya
Set in the heart of tea-country, this beautiful
town is where the British succeeded in creating
an English countryside, with homes in styles from
Georgian to Queen Anne. Well-kept lawns with hedges,
an Anglican church,a famous golf course and beautiful
parks give the place an air of nostalgia. Situated
1,890 meters above sea level, the air is cool
and fresh – a serene retreat from the hustle
and bustle of Colombo.
Polonnaruwa
. The largest of
its many reservoirs, the Parakrama Samudra, is
larger than the Colombo harbour. Attractions:
Remains of the King’s council chamber, the
Royal Citadel, the Kumara Pokuna, the Royal Pavilion,
the Vatadage Relic House (which is lavished with
moonstones, guard stones, and a sculptured railing),
Kiri Vehera, and Gal Vihare.
Ratnapura
This is the centre of gem industry. Gems include
sapphire, ruby, cat’s eye, alexandrite,
topaz, amethyst, aquamarine, tourmaline, garnet
and zircon. Visits to gem mines can be arranged
through travel agents. Gem collections can be
seen at the National Museum, Ratnapura, and a
number of private museums.
Sigiriya
This rock fortress was a royal citadel for more
than 18 years. In a sheltered pocket, approached
by a spiral stairway, are the famous frescoes.
The summit of the rock, with an area of nearly
one hectare, was the site of the old palace –
the outer wall of which was built on the very
brink of the precipice. The UNESCO-sponsored Central
Cultural Fund has restored Sigiriya’s 5th
century Water Gardens to its former glory.
Trincomalee
The best known town on the east coast of Sri Lanka
is Trincomalee. It s a large safe and one of the
best natural harbours of the world. Weather is
bright through out the year.
This place has mile after mile of broad, white,
sandy beaches, sheltered bays and a warm and calm
sea are the features that draw sun and sea-lovers
to Sri Lanka’s eastern seaboard’s
main city
|
