Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, Kandy, Sri Lanka
A walker's paradise
The location of the finest of its kind in Asia Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, the finest of its kind in Asia, the largest of the botanical gardens of Sri Lanka, couldn't be better located. In the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the gateway to the Central Highlands, the Gardens, at an elevation of 500 meters above sea-level, were tightly bounded on three sides by a loop of River Mahaweli (Great sandy river), the largest river of Sri Lanka.The town of Peradeniya is located at a distance of 110km from Colombo and another 6km over the Peradeniya Birdge and you are at Kandy, home to the sacred Temple of Tooth.
Peradeniya, the namePeradeniya is believed to take its exotic name from Sinhalese names Pera (guava) and Deniya (a plain). The name also reveals, although Guava is not indigenous to Sri Lanka, introduction of the fruit to the island and cultivation had occurred even prior to the era of British Colonialists in Ceylon.
The official establishment of Peradeniya Botanical Gardens during the colonial eraIt was British colonialist rulers (1815-1948) of Ceylon, who destroyed the invaluable forest cover of a thousand wooded hills from Kandy to Badulla of Central Highlands of Ceylon that was protected by the gentle sway of Buddhism, which indoctrinated the respect for all living beings.The wooded hills were converted to hill after hill of Ceylon Coffee and following the devastating "coffee rust" (a leaf blight - Hemileia vastratrix) in 1869 to seamless hill plantations of Ceylon Tea.The very same British Colonialist rulers of Ceylon established the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens that contribute, today, towards the enlightenment of concepts of floriculture conservation, birdlife conservation, butterfly conservation, biodiversity and sustainability of the island of Sri Lanka: 5% of the school children of Sri Lanka visit the Peradeniya gardens every year.
The vegetationThe vegetation is purely tropical, being characterized by an abundance of climbing plants or lianas, palms, bamboos, pandanus or screw-pines, epiphytes (orchids, ferns etc.), and lofty trees, the latter often having buttresses roots. The leaves are generally large, thick and leathery; the flowers usually brilliant and considerable in size, and the fruits often of immense proportions and borne on the trunks of trees or older branches. H.F. Macmillan, F.L.S, F.R. H.S. 1906 (Curator)4000 labeled species of flora at Peradeniya Botanical GardensA signboard at the entrance, with a map, feature a numbered circuit from 1-30. The corresponding numbers are placed at strategic points on the route, black on a yellow background. 60 ha (150 acres) gardens, where you can easily stroll around a whole day, are stuffed with a bewildering variety of local & foreign tree & plant species. There are around ten thousand plants & trees inclusive of 4000 labeled species. One of the most interesting sites here is bizarre-looking snake creeper, whose tangled aerial roots look just like a writhing knot of vipers.
Main entrance, River Drive and avenuesMain entrance opens up the River Drive which takes you straight down to the great circle and then on to the suspension bridge over the River Mahaweli. River drive branches off to a number of avenues: Double Coconut Avenue, Cook's Pine Avenue, Royal Palm Avenue, Palmyrah Palm Avenue and Cabbage Palm Avenue
The spice garden, Orchid houseThe spice garden to the right of entrance is replete with exotic spices. Cardamom, Coves, Pepper & Vanilla. We follow the path to the right, right into the Orchid House with an outstanding collection.
The great circle and memorial treesThe great circle is a grassy central area of nearly 4 acres in extent. Around the circle is a diverse array of trees planted by dignitaries, who had visited the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens.A "Flamboyante" of Madagascar (Poinciana regia), planted by Princess Henry of Prussia in 1899; a "Bo" (Peepal) tree (Fiscus religiosa), planted in 1875 by King Edward VII; a "Na" tree, or Ceylon Ironweed (Mesua ferrea), planted in 1891 by Czar of Russia; Brownea grandiceps tree planted by the King of Greece in 1891; Amherstia nobilis, planted by Prince Henry of Prussia in 1898;‘Asoka" tree (Saraca indica) planted by Emperor of Austria in 1893; "Cannonball" tree (Couroupita guianensis), planted by the Prince of Wales in 1901.
Alongside generations of European royalty, there are trees planted by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India; Yuri Gagarin, the first man to circle the orbit of earth, thereby cracking the door to space; Marshal Tito, the man who rebuilt Yugoslavia devastated in the Second World War; U Thant, the Secretary-General of the United Nations during the decade from 1961 to 1971 & Supermac Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the period of 1957 to 1963. Between the great circle & the great lawn is the Herbarium. Then there is an arboretum.Lawns, pavilions, sandwiches & a cup of teaThere are extensive well-kept lawns, pavilions, an Octagon Conservatory, fernery, banks of Burmese, Chinese & Japanese bamboos & numerous flower borders with cannas, hibiscus, chrysanthemums, croton & colorful bougainvillaea. You will see unusual exotic species, especially palms (Palmyra, talipot, royal, cabbage) & Ficus elastica (latex-bearing fig or "Indian rubber tree" with buttress roots), an amazing avenue of drunken looking pines & some magnificent old specimen trees. Then there are Ebony collection, Fiscus collection, Cycad Collection, Flower garden, Medicinal Garden, Cactus house and Plant house. Natural pavilionGrown from a sapling brought from East Indies, huge Javan fig tree covering 1600 sq. meters of the lawn, with its sprawling roots & branches create a remarkable natural pavilion.The Cabbage Palm AvenueThe Cabbage Palm Avenue from the South America was planted in 1905. Walking along the stately avenue of Royal Palms (1885) we find fruit bats in large colonies hanging in the trees. Oh! Yes, true to their style, upside down. Cannonball avenueCannonball Avenue is lined with beautiful cannonball trees, wreathed in creepers from which hang the large, round fruits. These Sal trees are loved by the Sinhalese. The flowers have a singular shape: a tiny stupa shaped bud in the centre is shaded by a cobra like hood & surrounded by tiny florettes which resemble a crowd of worshipers. It is believed Prince Siddhartha (who was to become Gautama Buddha) was born in a park of Sal trees called Lumbini, near the Sakyan kingdom of Kapilavastu in then north India, now the southern region of Nepal.Talipot palmsTalipot palms (Corypha umbraculifera) are the easiest to identify with its enormous leaves. The talipot palm is one of Sri Lanka's botanical celebrities, an arboreal oddity which flowers just once in its lifetime, after about forty years, producing the largest cluster of flowers in the world. In Kandyan times the enormous leaves reaching a height of 10 m were used to make tents by sewing a couple of leaves together. "One single Leaf being so broad & large, that it will cover some fifteen or twenty men, & keep them dry when it rains" wrote Robert Knox. Talpot leaves were utilized to produce fine ultra long lasting solid parchments called Ola, in Sri Lanka & India as early as in 500 BC. Young talipot leaves were boiled, dried in the sun, exposed to dew & smoothed & stretched. The treated leaves were then engraved with writing using steel stylus to cut in the characters. Then the engraved leaf was smeared with ink made out of a resin blended with finely powdered charcoal. The great chronicle of Sri Lanka (Mahawamsa) & all other ancient books were written on these treated, cut & loosely bound talipot palm-leaf parchments.Artificial lakeIn the centre of the Gardens is an artificial lake with water plants including the giant water lily & papyrus reeds. Beside the lake is a white-domed rotunda commemorates George Gardener, the Superintendent of the park during 1844-1849. "Coco de Mer" or "Double Coconut Palm"One of the rarest plants in the world, Coco de Mer (Lodoicea sechellarum) is on a path leading to this monument of Gardner. This plant has the largest & heaviest fruit or nut in the plant kingdom, weighing an average some10 - 20 kg. They take between five to eight years to mature & are surprisingly productive. It is not unusual to have 20 nuts on a tree. They are all carefully numbered. Native Coco de Mer are only found in Praslin, an island in the Seychelles. Strolling along the path we reach lily tank which is surrounded by giant bamboo, some 40m tall that grows 2-3 cm a day.Suspension BridgeSuspension Bridge across the River Mahaweli takes us to the School of Tropical Agriculture at Gannoruwa hill, where research is carried out into various important spices & medicinal herbs as well as into tea, coffee, coca, rubber, coconuts & varieties of rice & other cash crops.Peradeniya campusJust across the main road from the gardens is Peradeniya campus of Sri Lanka University (1942), built in the old Kandyan style in an impressive setting of a large park with the River Mahaweli running through it & the surrounding hillocks.
The History of Peradeniya Royal Botanical Park
The history of the park wouldn't take a backseat to its geography, terrain or vegetation. Conceived originally in 1371 as the Queen's pleasure garden, it was developed by King Kirti Sri Rajasinhe (1747-1778) where royal visitors were entertained. It was converted into Botanical Gardens in 1821, by the British during the deputy governorship of General Sir Edward Barnes, six years after fall of the last King of Sri Lanka.
Alexander Moon, the botanistAlexander Moon, a diligent student of the Ceylon flora was appointed the superintendent of the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. In the year 1824, Mr. Moon published a "Catalogue of Ceylon Plants" with the description of 1,127 plates referring to same by native names as well as botanical names. Sri Lanka's first tea trees were planted here at Peradeniya Gardens in 1824, though the full commercial potential wasn't to be realized for another half a century.
All prime imported crops - Coffee, Tea, Nutmeg, Rubber & Cinchona - were tested in Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens. That was during the enterprising governorship (1824-1831) of Sir Edward Barnes. Imported crops, Tea & Rubber together with the local crop of Coconut became mainstay of the economy of the island in the time to come. After the death of Mr. Alexander Moon, a succession of superintendents followed.
George Gardner, the famous traveler botanistIn 1844, an aptly named Scotsman was appointed the Superintendent of Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens: Mr. George Gardner (born in1809 or 1812), a son of a gardener to 5th Earl of Dunmore. Mr. Gardener's deeds had already well surpassed the carry of his name: his expeditionary account of "Catalogue of Brazilian plants"numbered a collection of enormous 6100 plants. Gardener collected the specimens during his four years of explorations in Brazil & was responsible for importing Rubber as well as Cinchona to Ceylon. Both of these imports have been blessings to the island; Rubber becoming a prime export & bark of Cinchona tree producing anti malaria drug Quinine.Mr. Gardner, with great industry, launched upon the development of Peradeniya Gardens till his tragic death in 1849 with a fit of apoplexy at the Rest House of Nuwara Eliya, the prime sanatorium of the colonialists in the Central Highlands of Ceylon. His untimely death left his work towards a Ceylon Flora incomplete. "Gardner Monument" was erected at the park to his memory.
Dr. Thawaits's 30 years of unbroken selfless service to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical GardensGardner was succeeded by a man who wouldn’t be his second best: Dr. Thwaites. Dr Thwaits’s term of service extended over thirty unbroken years, during which he never left the Island of Ceylon. A devoted student of the science of Botany, Dr. Thwaites is credited with bringing world wide recognition to the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens. He retired in 1880, and died in Kandy in 1882.
While their fellow Englishmen were busy game hunting, killing thousands of elephants, killing mammals and birds, those illustrious botanists of Ceylon at the Perdenaiya Royal Botanical Gardens, contributed with their tireless work towards enlightening their follow colonialists with the value in conservation of biodiversity and floriculture of our
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
stupa
stupa
From Rainwater reservoir to temple & then to dagoba.While Sri Lanka's irrigation network formed the basis for a thriving economy with a large agricultural surplus that sustained a vibrant Aryan Sinhalese civilization, Buddhism gave that civilization dignity and elegance. It inspired the architectural and sculptural splendours of ancient Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were transformed into bejeweled testaments to the wealth and refinement of Sri Lanka's ancient Aryan Sinhalese Buddhist civilization.Anuradhapura awed visitors with its magnificent stupas. The stupa or dagaba, an architectural innovation imported from northern India usually enshrined sacred relics of Buddha and other celebrated illuminati of early Buddhism. That makes them objects of veneration even today. These solid hemispherical domes provided a subdued but effective expression of the quintessence of Buddhism. In spite of the imposing size of the stupas, they blend simplicity with serenity.To house the relics of the Buddha & the Arahat disciples, stupas were built. And why shouldn't we commence with the crowning achievement of the most illustrious kings of Lanka, the great benefactors of Lanka, the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna (161-137 BC). Standing at 300 feet, the wondrous Stupa, Ruwan weli seya (meaning Golden Sand Stupa in Sinhalese) at Anuradhapura of north-central Sri Lanka is one of the world's major archaeological sites.Stone tablet laid courtyard.Through one of the frontpieces (Vahalkadas), we enter into the stone tablet laid courtyard (Salapatala). We take few steps down to arrive at the compound made of Sand (Valimaluwa). On the four sides of the compound are whitewashed perimeter parapet walls with an army of 1900 life size sculpted elephants in low relief, now renovated, standing ear to ear are 475 elephants on each side. Elephant, recorded association with which dates back to 1st century BC on an inscription at Navalarkulama in Panampattu in the East of Lanka, was afforded the highest honour & complete protection by the ancient royal decree of the Sinhalese. It had been the bulldozer & bulldog of ancient Lanka.ModelsIn the temple courtyard are the old models of Ruwan Weli Seya made of stone, a statue of King Dutugemunu worshipping the dagoba. In the image house are 4 statues of the Buddhas who have attained Buddhahood in this aeon (kalpa) & future Buddha Maitri. All these creations are very old. Inspiration from a bubble of air floating on waterMuch restored, the great dome, painted a gleaming white is busy with pilgrims throughout the day on any day of the year. It is believed the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu was inspired by seeing a bubble of air floating on water. In spite of the height of 100 meters & thousands of tons of bricks, the attempt has been a success: all you see is the skin of white paint that seems to envelope a pocket of air. The pinnacle of Golden Sand Stupa is 24 ft, in height. The crest gem on the pinnacle is a gift from Burma. Within the dome in a closed chamber are enshrined sacred relics of Buddha, valuable gems, statues made of gold & various valuable objects.
From Rainwater reservoir to temple & then to dagoba.While Sri Lanka's irrigation network formed the basis for a thriving economy with a large agricultural surplus that sustained a vibrant Aryan Sinhalese civilization, Buddhism gave that civilization dignity and elegance. It inspired the architectural and sculptural splendours of ancient Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were transformed into bejeweled testaments to the wealth and refinement of Sri Lanka's ancient Aryan Sinhalese Buddhist civilization.Anuradhapura awed visitors with its magnificent stupas. The stupa or dagaba, an architectural innovation imported from northern India usually enshrined sacred relics of Buddha and other celebrated illuminati of early Buddhism. That makes them objects of veneration even today. These solid hemispherical domes provided a subdued but effective expression of the quintessence of Buddhism. In spite of the imposing size of the stupas, they blend simplicity with serenity.To house the relics of the Buddha & the Arahat disciples, stupas were built. And why shouldn't we commence with the crowning achievement of the most illustrious kings of Lanka, the great benefactors of Lanka, the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna (161-137 BC). Standing at 300 feet, the wondrous Stupa, Ruwan weli seya (meaning Golden Sand Stupa in Sinhalese) at Anuradhapura of north-central Sri Lanka is one of the world's major archaeological sites.Stone tablet laid courtyard.Through one of the frontpieces (Vahalkadas), we enter into the stone tablet laid courtyard (Salapatala). We take few steps down to arrive at the compound made of Sand (Valimaluwa). On the four sides of the compound are whitewashed perimeter parapet walls with an army of 1900 life size sculpted elephants in low relief, now renovated, standing ear to ear are 475 elephants on each side. Elephant, recorded association with which dates back to 1st century BC on an inscription at Navalarkulama in Panampattu in the East of Lanka, was afforded the highest honour & complete protection by the ancient royal decree of the Sinhalese. It had been the bulldozer & bulldog of ancient Lanka.ModelsIn the temple courtyard are the old models of Ruwan Weli Seya made of stone, a statue of King Dutugemunu worshipping the dagoba. In the image house are 4 statues of the Buddhas who have attained Buddhahood in this aeon (kalpa) & future Buddha Maitri. All these creations are very old. Inspiration from a bubble of air floating on waterMuch restored, the great dome, painted a gleaming white is busy with pilgrims throughout the day on any day of the year. It is believed the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu was inspired by seeing a bubble of air floating on water. In spite of the height of 100 meters & thousands of tons of bricks, the attempt has been a success: all you see is the skin of white paint that seems to envelope a pocket of air. The pinnacle of Golden Sand Stupa is 24 ft, in height. The crest gem on the pinnacle is a gift from Burma. Within the dome in a closed chamber are enshrined sacred relics of Buddha, valuable gems, statues made of gold & various valuable objects.
photo gallary
Uda Walawe National Park, Sri Lanka
The best place in Asia to see herds of Asian ElephantsWild Elephants, Wildlife, Bird Watching, Modern Rain water reservoir, River Walawe, Dam & Hydro Electricity Project
Sri Lanka Holidays presents you the opportunity to see large herds of Asian Elephants in the open area close to modern man-made Rainwater Reservoir (3400ha).Uda Walwe National Park, Sri Lanka is the best place in Asia to see herds of Asian Elephants, the pachyderms in the wild. Uda Walawe National Park, that retains their leaves even during the dry season, is one of Sri Lanka's Dry-Zone Dry Evergreen Forests that harbours one of Asia'a largest & most viable Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) populations. The 30,821ha park was set up in the year 1972 to protect the catchment area of the man-made Rainwater Reservoir located at the south end of the River Walwe. At the same time the reserve was designated to provide sanctuary to wild elephants.
The settingFor a dry zone park, it couldn't have been located in a better setting: to the north is grand escarpment of Central Highlands of Sri Lanka; to the south is Walawe ganga river flowing all the way down to the sea at Ambalantota close to Hambantota in the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
Uda Walawe rainwater reservoir Most of all, at the centre of the sanctuary lies the huge man-made rainwater reservoir with a surface area of 3400ha providing irrigation for farmlands downstream & generating hydroelectric power to the tropical island of Sri Lanka. You will be reaching the park by following the road along the 4km bund across the Uda Walawe rainwater reservoir.
Terrain that make it easy to see the elephantsThe variety of terrain makes the habitat home to variety of wildlife. While woodland of old Teak tree lines the River Walawe, open grassland is traversed by streams & scrub jungle. The extensive area of grassland devoid of forest cover makes the viewing of elephants easier than anywhere else in Asia: herds up to 100 or even more could be seen along the river & near the numerous streams & tanks. Behold the sight & a site of Sri Lanka Holidays. The wild elephants could be seen crossing the River Walawe too. The elephant-proof fence around the perimeter of the park prevents some 600 elephants, roaming freely around the reserve from getting out of it to attack the surrounding farmland. The fence also prevents the cattle, belonging to the farmers of surrounding villages, from getting into the reserve.
Uda Walawe Elephant Transit CentreIn 1995, Department of Wildlife in Sri Lanka, in an attempt to support the orphaned calves from the other areas of the island, set up the Elephant Transit Centre at Uda Walawe National Park itself with the support of Born Free Foundation. Twenty of the 32 calves are "foster parented". As in the famous Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, herein too you would have the joy of seeing the baby elephants being bottle fed. Although it is fun to watch baby elephants being bottle-fed every three hours, since the jolly good fellows are kept in pens, you will not get right amongst them & caress them as you do with good little fellows at the famous Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage of Sri Lanka Holidays. At the age of five, the young elephants are returned to the wild: living free. While some are born free in the wild some are born in the captivity at Uda Walawe Elephant Transit Centre. Uda Walawe Wild life & Bird LifeThe park is home to jungle cat, sloth bear, porcupine, pangolin, macaque, langur, jackal, leopard, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, mongoose, bandicoot, fox giant flying squirrel, water buffalo, crocodile & water monitor lizard.Birds gather in large numbers around the tanks Magam, Habartu, Kiri ibban, Pulgaswewa, Timbirimankada. Among the aquatic birds are cormorants, kingfishers, herons & Indian darters. Endemic species include the Sri Lanka spur fowl, the Sri Lanka jungle fowl, the Malabar pied hornbill & the rare red-faced malkoha. Giving credence to the adage "small is beautiful" is the lesser adjutant of stork family: it is large & ugly. At a height of over a meter, it is the largest bird you would see in Sri Lanka Holidays. With the head & neck as bare as a vulture, & then again with thick, long & pale bill, it is the ugliest bird you would see in Sri Lanka Holidays. Among the raptors (birds of prey) are crested serpent, hawk, fish eagles, brahminy, black-winged kites, & the lovely white-bellied sea-eagle.With 189 species of avifauna recorded in the park, in a single day of Sri Lanka Holidays at Uda Walawe, a keen eye would sight no less than 100 species of birds. Around Uda WalweThe location of Uda Walawe makes it within a couple of hours drive from Unawatuna Bay Beach as well as Ratnapura, the world renowned city of gems of Sri Lanka. Tissamaharama, an ancient city, home to a beautiful Buddhist stupa & magnificent Tissa Wewa, a large rainwater reservoir & the town of Hambantota are within a few hours drive too. Hambantota of large salt lakes, where kitchen salt is produced from evaporated sea water in shallow lagoons. The sprawling salt lakes, with an ancient method of making salt, hugging main road make the drive with a sea breeze all the more pleasant. All along the drive are shore birds such as flamingos, gulls, plovers & terns attracted by the salt pans.
HambantotaThe famous novel "Village in the Jungle" by Leonard Woolf, (a British civil servant of Crown colony of Ceylon, husband of the prime feminist of the era (A room of one's own) & acclaimed writer Virginia Woolf of Bloomsbury Group - To the Lighthouse) was set in the village of Hambantota. The novel depicting the fate of Sinhalese speaking peasants under the merciless iron boots of the British colonialists & their reign by way of an alien language called English, Birmingham iron shackles & Winchester rifles, was made in to a classic film by one of the top ten film directors of the world (right alongside indomitable Akira Kurasowa & illustrious Satyajith Rai, in the category of finest utilization of resources available, given the economy & the industry technology of the country of the production), renowned Lester James Peiris of Sri Lanka. We will be driving past Hambantota in Sri Lanka Holidays. The town is famous for its Buffalo curd (a sort of creamy white yogurt - fermented buffalo milk nicely, firmly set in shallow reddish brown clay pots) which, with generous helpings of Kitul palm honey syrup makes the finest dessert in the world, hands down. Nobody beat our dessert; no world beats the village of Hambantota to its famous curd. May god save the humble villagers of Sri Lanka Holidays! Amen. Sri Lanka, the Land of Delights brings you the Total Holiday Experience. Sri Lanka Holidays reveal for you to revel.
The best place in Asia to see herds of Asian ElephantsWild Elephants, Wildlife, Bird Watching, Modern Rain water reservoir, River Walawe, Dam & Hydro Electricity Project
Sri Lanka Holidays presents you the opportunity to see large herds of Asian Elephants in the open area close to modern man-made Rainwater Reservoir (3400ha).Uda Walwe National Park, Sri Lanka is the best place in Asia to see herds of Asian Elephants, the pachyderms in the wild. Uda Walawe National Park, that retains their leaves even during the dry season, is one of Sri Lanka's Dry-Zone Dry Evergreen Forests that harbours one of Asia'a largest & most viable Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) populations. The 30,821ha park was set up in the year 1972 to protect the catchment area of the man-made Rainwater Reservoir located at the south end of the River Walwe. At the same time the reserve was designated to provide sanctuary to wild elephants.
The settingFor a dry zone park, it couldn't have been located in a better setting: to the north is grand escarpment of Central Highlands of Sri Lanka; to the south is Walawe ganga river flowing all the way down to the sea at Ambalantota close to Hambantota in the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
Uda Walawe rainwater reservoir Most of all, at the centre of the sanctuary lies the huge man-made rainwater reservoir with a surface area of 3400ha providing irrigation for farmlands downstream & generating hydroelectric power to the tropical island of Sri Lanka. You will be reaching the park by following the road along the 4km bund across the Uda Walawe rainwater reservoir.
Terrain that make it easy to see the elephantsThe variety of terrain makes the habitat home to variety of wildlife. While woodland of old Teak tree lines the River Walawe, open grassland is traversed by streams & scrub jungle. The extensive area of grassland devoid of forest cover makes the viewing of elephants easier than anywhere else in Asia: herds up to 100 or even more could be seen along the river & near the numerous streams & tanks. Behold the sight & a site of Sri Lanka Holidays. The wild elephants could be seen crossing the River Walawe too. The elephant-proof fence around the perimeter of the park prevents some 600 elephants, roaming freely around the reserve from getting out of it to attack the surrounding farmland. The fence also prevents the cattle, belonging to the farmers of surrounding villages, from getting into the reserve.
Uda Walawe Elephant Transit CentreIn 1995, Department of Wildlife in Sri Lanka, in an attempt to support the orphaned calves from the other areas of the island, set up the Elephant Transit Centre at Uda Walawe National Park itself with the support of Born Free Foundation. Twenty of the 32 calves are "foster parented". As in the famous Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, herein too you would have the joy of seeing the baby elephants being bottle fed. Although it is fun to watch baby elephants being bottle-fed every three hours, since the jolly good fellows are kept in pens, you will not get right amongst them & caress them as you do with good little fellows at the famous Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage of Sri Lanka Holidays. At the age of five, the young elephants are returned to the wild: living free. While some are born free in the wild some are born in the captivity at Uda Walawe Elephant Transit Centre. Uda Walawe Wild life & Bird LifeThe park is home to jungle cat, sloth bear, porcupine, pangolin, macaque, langur, jackal, leopard, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, mongoose, bandicoot, fox giant flying squirrel, water buffalo, crocodile & water monitor lizard.Birds gather in large numbers around the tanks Magam, Habartu, Kiri ibban, Pulgaswewa, Timbirimankada. Among the aquatic birds are cormorants, kingfishers, herons & Indian darters. Endemic species include the Sri Lanka spur fowl, the Sri Lanka jungle fowl, the Malabar pied hornbill & the rare red-faced malkoha. Giving credence to the adage "small is beautiful" is the lesser adjutant of stork family: it is large & ugly. At a height of over a meter, it is the largest bird you would see in Sri Lanka Holidays. With the head & neck as bare as a vulture, & then again with thick, long & pale bill, it is the ugliest bird you would see in Sri Lanka Holidays. Among the raptors (birds of prey) are crested serpent, hawk, fish eagles, brahminy, black-winged kites, & the lovely white-bellied sea-eagle.With 189 species of avifauna recorded in the park, in a single day of Sri Lanka Holidays at Uda Walawe, a keen eye would sight no less than 100 species of birds. Around Uda WalweThe location of Uda Walawe makes it within a couple of hours drive from Unawatuna Bay Beach as well as Ratnapura, the world renowned city of gems of Sri Lanka. Tissamaharama, an ancient city, home to a beautiful Buddhist stupa & magnificent Tissa Wewa, a large rainwater reservoir & the town of Hambantota are within a few hours drive too. Hambantota of large salt lakes, where kitchen salt is produced from evaporated sea water in shallow lagoons. The sprawling salt lakes, with an ancient method of making salt, hugging main road make the drive with a sea breeze all the more pleasant. All along the drive are shore birds such as flamingos, gulls, plovers & terns attracted by the salt pans.
HambantotaThe famous novel "Village in the Jungle" by Leonard Woolf, (a British civil servant of Crown colony of Ceylon, husband of the prime feminist of the era (A room of one's own) & acclaimed writer Virginia Woolf of Bloomsbury Group - To the Lighthouse) was set in the village of Hambantota. The novel depicting the fate of Sinhalese speaking peasants under the merciless iron boots of the British colonialists & their reign by way of an alien language called English, Birmingham iron shackles & Winchester rifles, was made in to a classic film by one of the top ten film directors of the world (right alongside indomitable Akira Kurasowa & illustrious Satyajith Rai, in the category of finest utilization of resources available, given the economy & the industry technology of the country of the production), renowned Lester James Peiris of Sri Lanka. We will be driving past Hambantota in Sri Lanka Holidays. The town is famous for its Buffalo curd (a sort of creamy white yogurt - fermented buffalo milk nicely, firmly set in shallow reddish brown clay pots) which, with generous helpings of Kitul palm honey syrup makes the finest dessert in the world, hands down. Nobody beat our dessert; no world beats the village of Hambantota to its famous curd. May god save the humble villagers of Sri Lanka Holidays! Amen. Sri Lanka, the Land of Delights brings you the Total Holiday Experience. Sri Lanka Holidays reveal for you to revel.
MUST VISIT
To keep up with the Joneses. This time around, it would be Indiana Jones with temperature at 20-34 degrees centigrade, humidity at about 87% & annual rainfall of 5000 mm in the 15 million year old Sinharaja Tropical Rain Forest also known as Lion King Tropical Rain Forest of Sri Lanka, a living world heritage site. Sinharaja meaning Lion king in Sinhala is believed to have been the last redoubt of the Sri Lanka's lion. Lion King Sinharaja Tropical Rain Forest has something for every one with diverse activities & interests: to the nature lover, to the photographer, to the artist, to the ecologist & to the scientist.
IUCN International Union for the Conservation of nature & Naural Resources- Technical evaluation of Sinharaja Reserve states that "Sinharaja is the last extensive primary lowland tropical rain forest in Sri Lanka. It holds a large number of endemic species of plants & animals, & a variety of plants of known benefit to man".Pocketed between two sizeable riversThe tropical island of Sri Lanka is well forested, with more than 18899 acres (6648ha) of hilly virgin, uninhabited woodland in the Sinharaja Forest alone. Pocketed between two sizeable rivers, namely river Kalu Ganga from the north & river Gin ganga from the south of the numerous rivers of this paradise like tropical island of Sri Lanka, no larger than state of Virginia, is a virgin tropical rainforest of enormous ecological significance, a treasure trove of biodiversity. The wet zone rain forest, with a breadth of 3.7 km north to south stretches 21km west to east over the hills, along the ridges & across the valleys ranging in altitude 200m to 1300m. This narrow strip of undulating terrain is drained by an intricate network of streams, which flow into the two rivers.The Portuguese, the Dutch & the British, the spice merchants.The first records on Sinharaja date back to Portuguese & then Dutch. Sinharaja is home to the spice Cardamom Elattaria ensal. I needn't complete my sentences: they loved our spices while we hated & waged war against them. The forest was first mapped by British who made it a Crown Property in 1840. The first survey was done by Naturalist George Henry Thwaites in the 1850s, recording many plants found in Lion King Sinharaja Rain Forest.People PowerThough Lion King Sinharaja Rain Forest was declared a forest reserve as far back in 1875, heavy logging began in 1971 resulting in a people’s protest against the misguided government directive that allowed felling of timber. In 1978 Sinharaja was declared a national reserve & inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. People Power Prevails!!!! Long live People Power.
Live & Let LiveThe conversation project making a provision for limited use of the forest recourses to meet the local needs of the inhabitants of the surrounding villages was launched in the run up to the status of UNESCO World Heritage List. Among the variety of resources made available for limited use are Kitul palm (Caryota urens) for honey & jaggery (solidified honey); Weniwal (Coscinium fenestratum) for Ayurveda Medical treatments; rattan (wewal Calamus), used in making baskets & chairs; cardamom Elattaria ensal (as spice); Shorea sp. (for flour); dun Shorea sp. (for varnish and incense).
Tropical ForestThe vegetation of Lion King Rain Forest consists of Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest & Tropical Lowland Forest, with lofty, very straight dominant trees being a distinctive feature. It is reputed to shelter some 120 trees species, including ironwood, satinwood, teak & ebony. The oldest parts of the rainforest comprise dense stands of towering trees enmeshed in exotic tangles of ferns & lianas; the top of the canopy reaches heights up to 45m with giant Newada trees among others. Nearly all the sub canopy tree found here are rare or endangered. The vegetation below the sub canopy is thick. More than 65% of the 217 types of trees & woody climbers endemic to Sri Lanka's rainforest are found in Sinharaja. As the heart of the island's wet zone, on most days the forest conjures rain clouds that replenish its deep soil & balance water resources for a wide area of southwestern Sri Lanka. Sinharaja's importance lies not just in its pristine nature, but also in the high degree of endemism of its species.
Carnivorous plantsAmong the carnivorous plants is lovely Baduara. The deep test tube like green flower, Badura, closes its leaf lid whenever an insect creeps in. The flower ages into fiery red.MammalsThere are 12 species of mammals to be found in Sinharaja, of which eight are endemic to Sri Lanka. Kola Wandura (Purple-faced langur monkey), Gona (Sambhur), Olu Muwa (Barking deer), Wild boar (Pus scrofa), rusty spotted cats, fishing cats are found here. The purple-faced langur monkey is the most commonly seen of mammals. There are three species of squirrels: the dusky-striped jungle squirrel, flame-striped jungle squirrel & western giant squirrel. Leopard, Badger Mongoose and the Golden Palm Civet have been occasionally sighted. Porcupines & Pangolins waddle around the forest floor.Birds of many feathersLion king Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to a total of 147 species. Among the endemic birds are Ceylon Lorikeet (Loriculus beryllinus), Layard's Parakeet (Psittacula calthropae), Ceylon Jungle Fowl (Gallus Lafayetti), Spur Fowl (Galloperdix bicalcarta), Ceylon White-headed Starling (Sturnus albofrontatus), Ceylon Wood Pigeon (Columba torringtoni), Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis), Spotted-wing Thrush (Zoothera spiloptera), Rufous Babbler (Turdoides rufescens), Brown- capped Babbler (Pelleurneum fuscocapillum), Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush (Garrulax cinereifrons), Ceylon Blue Magpie (Cissa oronata), White Headed Starling (Sturnus albofrontatus), Green-billed Coucal (Centrophus chlororhynchus), Red-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus), Ceylon Hill Mynah or Grackle (Gracula ptilogenys) and Legge's Flowerpecker (Dicaeum vincens).
Birds not of a feather too flock together when her poison isn't necessarily mineAn interesting phenomenon in Lion king Sinharaja Rain Forest is that birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, led by the fearless Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and the noisy Orange-billed Babbler: It is a mutual relationship observed among birds, a method by which they improve the availability of feed. The food of one species does not necessarily interest another.
Sri Lanka's National Bird Pedestrian Wali kukula or Sri Lanka Jungle fowl (Gallus Lafayetti), a very colourful cousin of domestic chicken, endemic to Sri Lanka is found strutting about & scratching the ground for food here in Sinharaja. Sinharaja is an ideal reserve to view Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl. Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl can be seen at Kitulgala as well as Ruhuna Yala National Park.
Reptiles & AmphibiansLion King Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to 21 of Sri Lanka's 45 endemic species of snake. Python (Python molurus) in here is vulnerable. The most commonly seen reptile is the green garden lizard, while snakes include the endemic Green pit viper (venomous) which inhabit trees, krait (venomous) and Hump-nosed viper (venomous) which lives on the forest floor. There are several endemic amphibian species, including the torrent toad, wrinkled frog & Sri Lankan reed frog.Natural trailsThe three main natural trails of Lion King Sinharaja Rain Forest are Waturawa trail (4.7 km long), Moulawella trail (7.5 km long) and Sinhagala (Lion Rock) trail (14km long). At Lion Rock (742 m) we can view the unbroken tree canopy of an undisturbed forest & various hill ranges. At moulawella peak (760 m) we can see Sri Pada Adam's Peak & look over forest canopy. Oh! The leeches are along the trails. That's a plenty of nuisance. Soap or lighter or salt would do.HotelsWith the eco tourism in Lion King Sinharaja Rain Forest on the rise, enterprising new hotels have opened up recently. The Boulder Garden & Rain Forest Edge are top flight of boutique hotels that provide a convenient bases.
To keep up with the Joneses. This time around, it would be Indiana Jones with temperature at 20-34 degrees centigrade, humidity at about 87% & annual rainfall of 5000 mm in the 15 million year old Sinharaja Tropical Rain Forest also known as Lion King Tropical Rain Forest of Sri Lanka, a living world heritage site. Sinharaja meaning Lion king in Sinhala is believed to have been the last redoubt of the Sri Lanka's lion. Lion King Sinharaja Tropical Rain Forest has something for every one with diverse activities & interests: to the nature lover, to the photographer, to the artist, to the ecologist & to the scientist.
IUCN International Union for the Conservation of nature & Naural Resources- Technical evaluation of Sinharaja Reserve states that "Sinharaja is the last extensive primary lowland tropical rain forest in Sri Lanka. It holds a large number of endemic species of plants & animals, & a variety of plants of known benefit to man".Pocketed between two sizeable riversThe tropical island of Sri Lanka is well forested, with more than 18899 acres (6648ha) of hilly virgin, uninhabited woodland in the Sinharaja Forest alone. Pocketed between two sizeable rivers, namely river Kalu Ganga from the north & river Gin ganga from the south of the numerous rivers of this paradise like tropical island of Sri Lanka, no larger than state of Virginia, is a virgin tropical rainforest of enormous ecological significance, a treasure trove of biodiversity. The wet zone rain forest, with a breadth of 3.7 km north to south stretches 21km west to east over the hills, along the ridges & across the valleys ranging in altitude 200m to 1300m. This narrow strip of undulating terrain is drained by an intricate network of streams, which flow into the two rivers.The Portuguese, the Dutch & the British, the spice merchants.The first records on Sinharaja date back to Portuguese & then Dutch. Sinharaja is home to the spice Cardamom Elattaria ensal. I needn't complete my sentences: they loved our spices while we hated & waged war against them. The forest was first mapped by British who made it a Crown Property in 1840. The first survey was done by Naturalist George Henry Thwaites in the 1850s, recording many plants found in Lion King Sinharaja Rain Forest.People PowerThough Lion King Sinharaja Rain Forest was declared a forest reserve as far back in 1875, heavy logging began in 1971 resulting in a people’s protest against the misguided government directive that allowed felling of timber. In 1978 Sinharaja was declared a national reserve & inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. People Power Prevails!!!! Long live People Power.
Live & Let LiveThe conversation project making a provision for limited use of the forest recourses to meet the local needs of the inhabitants of the surrounding villages was launched in the run up to the status of UNESCO World Heritage List. Among the variety of resources made available for limited use are Kitul palm (Caryota urens) for honey & jaggery (solidified honey); Weniwal (Coscinium fenestratum) for Ayurveda Medical treatments; rattan (wewal Calamus), used in making baskets & chairs; cardamom Elattaria ensal (as spice); Shorea sp. (for flour); dun Shorea sp. (for varnish and incense).
Tropical ForestThe vegetation of Lion King Rain Forest consists of Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest & Tropical Lowland Forest, with lofty, very straight dominant trees being a distinctive feature. It is reputed to shelter some 120 trees species, including ironwood, satinwood, teak & ebony. The oldest parts of the rainforest comprise dense stands of towering trees enmeshed in exotic tangles of ferns & lianas; the top of the canopy reaches heights up to 45m with giant Newada trees among others. Nearly all the sub canopy tree found here are rare or endangered. The vegetation below the sub canopy is thick. More than 65% of the 217 types of trees & woody climbers endemic to Sri Lanka's rainforest are found in Sinharaja. As the heart of the island's wet zone, on most days the forest conjures rain clouds that replenish its deep soil & balance water resources for a wide area of southwestern Sri Lanka. Sinharaja's importance lies not just in its pristine nature, but also in the high degree of endemism of its species.
Carnivorous plantsAmong the carnivorous plants is lovely Baduara. The deep test tube like green flower, Badura, closes its leaf lid whenever an insect creeps in. The flower ages into fiery red.MammalsThere are 12 species of mammals to be found in Sinharaja, of which eight are endemic to Sri Lanka. Kola Wandura (Purple-faced langur monkey), Gona (Sambhur), Olu Muwa (Barking deer), Wild boar (Pus scrofa), rusty spotted cats, fishing cats are found here. The purple-faced langur monkey is the most commonly seen of mammals. There are three species of squirrels: the dusky-striped jungle squirrel, flame-striped jungle squirrel & western giant squirrel. Leopard, Badger Mongoose and the Golden Palm Civet have been occasionally sighted. Porcupines & Pangolins waddle around the forest floor.Birds of many feathersLion king Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to a total of 147 species. Among the endemic birds are Ceylon Lorikeet (Loriculus beryllinus), Layard's Parakeet (Psittacula calthropae), Ceylon Jungle Fowl (Gallus Lafayetti), Spur Fowl (Galloperdix bicalcarta), Ceylon White-headed Starling (Sturnus albofrontatus), Ceylon Wood Pigeon (Columba torringtoni), Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis), Spotted-wing Thrush (Zoothera spiloptera), Rufous Babbler (Turdoides rufescens), Brown- capped Babbler (Pelleurneum fuscocapillum), Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush (Garrulax cinereifrons), Ceylon Blue Magpie (Cissa oronata), White Headed Starling (Sturnus albofrontatus), Green-billed Coucal (Centrophus chlororhynchus), Red-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus), Ceylon Hill Mynah or Grackle (Gracula ptilogenys) and Legge's Flowerpecker (Dicaeum vincens).
Birds not of a feather too flock together when her poison isn't necessarily mineAn interesting phenomenon in Lion king Sinharaja Rain Forest is that birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, led by the fearless Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and the noisy Orange-billed Babbler: It is a mutual relationship observed among birds, a method by which they improve the availability of feed. The food of one species does not necessarily interest another.
Sri Lanka's National Bird Pedestrian Wali kukula or Sri Lanka Jungle fowl (Gallus Lafayetti), a very colourful cousin of domestic chicken, endemic to Sri Lanka is found strutting about & scratching the ground for food here in Sinharaja. Sinharaja is an ideal reserve to view Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl. Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl can be seen at Kitulgala as well as Ruhuna Yala National Park.
Reptiles & AmphibiansLion King Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to 21 of Sri Lanka's 45 endemic species of snake. Python (Python molurus) in here is vulnerable. The most commonly seen reptile is the green garden lizard, while snakes include the endemic Green pit viper (venomous) which inhabit trees, krait (venomous) and Hump-nosed viper (venomous) which lives on the forest floor. There are several endemic amphibian species, including the torrent toad, wrinkled frog & Sri Lankan reed frog.Natural trailsThe three main natural trails of Lion King Sinharaja Rain Forest are Waturawa trail (4.7 km long), Moulawella trail (7.5 km long) and Sinhagala (Lion Rock) trail (14km long). At Lion Rock (742 m) we can view the unbroken tree canopy of an undisturbed forest & various hill ranges. At moulawella peak (760 m) we can see Sri Pada Adam's Peak & look over forest canopy. Oh! The leeches are along the trails. That's a plenty of nuisance. Soap or lighter or salt would do.HotelsWith the eco tourism in Lion King Sinharaja Rain Forest on the rise, enterprising new hotels have opened up recently. The Boulder Garden & Rain Forest Edge are top flight of boutique hotels that provide a convenient bases.
Place to visit
Tourism is one of the main industries in Sri Lanka. Major tourist attractions are focused around the islands famous beaches located in the southern and eastern parts of the country, ancient heritage sites located in the interior of the country and lush green resorts located in the mountainous regions of the country.[1][2] The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami[3] and the past civil war have reduced tourist arrivals but Sri Lanka received over half a million tourists in 2006.[4] A large majority of tourists come from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the PeTourism is one of the main industries in Sri Lanka. Major tourist attractions are focused around the islands famous beaches located in the southern and eastern parts of the country, ancient heritage sites located in the interior of the country and lush green resorts located in the mountainous regions of the country.[1][2] The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami[3] and the past civil war have reduced tourist arrivals but Sri Lanka received over half a million tourists in 2006.[4] A large majority of tourists come from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the People's Republic of China, and India.ople's Republic of China,
and India.
Visitor attractions
Dambulla
Sri Lanka is home to seven world heritage sites: Galle, Kandy, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruva, Dambulla cave temple and Lion King Singahraja tropical rain forest[5].
Furthermore three prime ecological sites in the central highlands[6] of Sri Lanka were submitted by Secretary, Ministry and Natural Resources of Sri Lanka to UNESCO on 20 March 2006. As at present these sites appear on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites:Peak Wilderness Sanctuary (19,207 ha),Horton Plains[7] (3 109 ha) and Knuckles Range (1 7,825 ha).
In addition to above mixed (culture and nature) sites the ancient cultural site of Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihar at the village of Toppur, Koddiyar Pattu of Trincomalee District of Eastern Province of Sri Lanka was submitted to [8] UNESCO by the government of Sri Lanka on 30 October 2006.
Sri Lanka's many beaches are often visited by tourists. The historical city of Colombo is considered as the "Commercial capitol of Sri Lanka" which attracts many tourists from Asian region to visit for businesses. National parks in Sri Lanka are also popular visitor attractions. Tourists are also attracted to Sri Lanka by its natural beauty.Precious stone mining
Main article: Gems of Sri Lanka
Ratnapura where the city of famous Sri pada mountain located is the center of precious stone mining
The precious stones such as rubies and sapphires frequently found in Ratnapura and its surrounding areas also a major tourist attraction in the country[9]. The tourists are interested in precious stones also can visit Adam's Peak, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Udawalawe National Park and Kitulgala (place of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed).
[edit] List of famous tourist attractions
[edit] Beaches and lagoons
Main article: List of beaches in Sri Lanka
Negombo beach.
Negombo beach & lagoon
Bentota
Hikkaduwa coral reef
Matara Polhena
Unawatuna
Nilaveli
Arugam Bay
Pasikudah & Kalkudah
Batticalo beach & lagoon
Kalpitiya - beach and islands
Trincomalee
Polonnaruwa
[edit] Archeological Sites
Anuradapura - Ancient Kingdom
Sigiriya - Ancient Kingdom & fortress
Polonnaruwa - Ancient Kingdom
Kandy - Ancient Kingdom with temple of tooth relic
Galle - Fortress
Dambulla - Rock cave temple
Maligawila - Ancient Monastery with largest statue of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka
Yapahuwa - Fortress
[edit] National Parks
Main article: List of national parks of Sri Lanka
Yala National Park - Most visited, and second-largest in Sri Lanka
Udawalawe National Park - Famous for Elephant watching
Kumana National Park - Famous for Bird watching
Bundala National Park - Famous for Bird watching
Wasgamuwa National Park - One most attractive national park
Wilpattu National Park - Largest in Sri Lanka, famous for leopards
Minneriya National Park - Famous for Elephants
Horton Plains National Park - Only national park in hill country and famous for sambar
[edit] Elephants
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Udawalawe Elephant Transit Centre
[edit] Adventure Sports
White water rafting - Kithulgala
Surfing - Arugam Bay
Boating - Bentota, Bolgoda, Madhu ganga, Koggala
Trekking - Knuckles Mountain Range, Hortan plains, Sripada aka Adam's peak
and India.
Visitor attractions
Dambulla
Sri Lanka is home to seven world heritage sites: Galle, Kandy, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruva, Dambulla cave temple and Lion King Singahraja tropical rain forest[5].
Furthermore three prime ecological sites in the central highlands[6] of Sri Lanka were submitted by Secretary, Ministry and Natural Resources of Sri Lanka to UNESCO on 20 March 2006. As at present these sites appear on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites:Peak Wilderness Sanctuary (19,207 ha),Horton Plains[7] (3 109 ha) and Knuckles Range (1 7,825 ha).
In addition to above mixed (culture and nature) sites the ancient cultural site of Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihar at the village of Toppur, Koddiyar Pattu of Trincomalee District of Eastern Province of Sri Lanka was submitted to [8] UNESCO by the government of Sri Lanka on 30 October 2006.
Sri Lanka's many beaches are often visited by tourists. The historical city of Colombo is considered as the "Commercial capitol of Sri Lanka" which attracts many tourists from Asian region to visit for businesses. National parks in Sri Lanka are also popular visitor attractions. Tourists are also attracted to Sri Lanka by its natural beauty.Precious stone mining
Main article: Gems of Sri Lanka
Ratnapura where the city of famous Sri pada mountain located is the center of precious stone mining
The precious stones such as rubies and sapphires frequently found in Ratnapura and its surrounding areas also a major tourist attraction in the country[9]. The tourists are interested in precious stones also can visit Adam's Peak, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Udawalawe National Park and Kitulgala (place of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed).
[edit] List of famous tourist attractions
[edit] Beaches and lagoons
Main article: List of beaches in Sri Lanka
Negombo beach.
Negombo beach & lagoon
Bentota
Hikkaduwa coral reef
Matara Polhena
Unawatuna
Nilaveli
Arugam Bay
Pasikudah & Kalkudah
Batticalo beach & lagoon
Kalpitiya - beach and islands
Trincomalee
Polonnaruwa
[edit] Archeological Sites
Anuradapura - Ancient Kingdom
Sigiriya - Ancient Kingdom & fortress
Polonnaruwa - Ancient Kingdom
Kandy - Ancient Kingdom with temple of tooth relic
Galle - Fortress
Dambulla - Rock cave temple
Maligawila - Ancient Monastery with largest statue of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka
Yapahuwa - Fortress
[edit] National Parks
Main article: List of national parks of Sri Lanka
Yala National Park - Most visited, and second-largest in Sri Lanka
Udawalawe National Park - Famous for Elephant watching
Kumana National Park - Famous for Bird watching
Bundala National Park - Famous for Bird watching
Wasgamuwa National Park - One most attractive national park
Wilpattu National Park - Largest in Sri Lanka, famous for leopards
Minneriya National Park - Famous for Elephants
Horton Plains National Park - Only national park in hill country and famous for sambar
[edit] Elephants
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Udawalawe Elephant Transit Centre
[edit] Adventure Sports
White water rafting - Kithulgala
Surfing - Arugam Bay
Boating - Bentota, Bolgoda, Madhu ganga, Koggala
Trekking - Knuckles Mountain Range, Hortan plains, Sripada aka Adam's peak
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