Anuradhapura was the capital of 113 kings of Sri Lanka and thrived from 378 BC to 988 AD. The British revived the city in 1872, and a new city of Anuradhapura was built alongside the old in 1957. The old city is given the status of a “Holy City” and it is a popular destination for Buddhist pilgrim s from all over the Island.
Two World Heritage Sites are located here and many places of historical and archaeological interest can be visited. With the advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, the kings built a number of magnificent and colossal places of worship which have been beautifully restored: The Ruvanweli Seya (the tallest and the largest ‘Dagoba” in the world), Thuparamaya, Jetawanaramaya, Abhayagiriya and Mirisavetiya are among them. The 1,600 stone columns of the Brazen Palace (2nd century BC) are all that is left of a multi-storied residence for monks. Legend has it that a branch of the Bo tree under which Prince Gautama attained enlightenment and became Buddha, was brought to Sri Lanka more than 2,000 years ago by a daughter of King Asoka of India. This sacred Bo Tree is the centre of Buddhist worship in Anuradhapura and it is encircled by a golden fence. It is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. A 'Samadhi' (seated in deep meditation) Buddha statue (4th century AD) is at the centre of a large park, the “Mahamevuna” built in the time of the ancient kings and it is one of the most famous statues in the Buddhist world. The Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century BC) is well-known for its rock carvings.
Lovely Arugam Bay is the east coast’s most traveller-friendly destination. It’s basically a single laid-back strip of beach accommodation. From April to October it has the best surfing waves in Sri Lanka and hundreds of surfers descend on it in season for international surfing competitions which are held there. The place is close to the Kumana Bird sanctuary which also has elephants and other wild life.
Another beach resort area on the south western coast, not too far from Colombo, BENTOTA offers a further clutch of tourist hotels which are more up-market. A lagoon and a river add to the scenic beauty of the place and provide much scope for water sports such as skiing and water jet scooters.
Colombo was never the capital of Sri Lanka under the Sinhala kings. With the advent of the maritime Western colonialists such as the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British the importance of its port grew. The British made it the capital in 1865. The city has changed rapidly as all cities do and skyscrapers now dot its skyline. Thankfully some beautiful vestiges of the colonial era still remain, e.g. Buildings erected by the Dutch and British and a 100-year old clock tower. The Pettah throbs with a myriad shops where one can look for bargains. Historic temples and churches, the Town Hall and the adjacent park, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall and the Nelum Pokuna Hall for the Performing Arts (the last two being outright gifts from the People’s Republic of China) are must-see places of interst. Colombo has everything for everyone, including an excellent 18-hole Golf Course.
The origin of the Dambulla Rock Temple dates back to King Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. It is a World Heritage Site - a complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings.. They contain over 150 statues of the Buddha of which the largest is the reclining figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres. A most interesting place to visit, involving a short climb along a path lined by monkeys who prance about hoping for hand-outs.
The old port of Galle, about 115 kms from Colombo, and reachable in an hour from Colombo on the new Southern Expressway, has a long history. Since the times of the Arab traders, it was an important stop on the silk route where they exchanged silks for spices and gems. Other maritime nations followed; the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. The Fort built by the Dutch lasts to this day, once again another UNESCO World Heritage site. Galle is a quaint town and a leisurely stroll through the ramparts of the fortress transports one back to another era. The Fort contains a veritable treasure trove of places to visit: The newly-renovated International Cricket Stadium, the Dutch Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Dutch Groote Kerk (Great Church), old mansions with intricate lattice work unique to Dutch architecture, a lighthouse 18 metres tall, and the oldest inn in Sri Lanka, the New Oriental Hotel which is a great place to stay.
Galle is also a hunting ground for antique hunters and some interesting curios can be purchased here. The cosmopolitan nature of the city attracts many tourists also because it is close to the popular beaches of Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, and Koggala. The annual Galle Literary Festival is an event which attracts the literati of both international and local fam e as well as cognoscenti who flock to the beautiful city for a week’s literary pursuits.
Hambantota, located in the deep south of the Island along the eastern coast is undergoing a number of major development projects such as the construction of a new sea port, international airport and an international cricket stadium hosting games for the 2012 ICC Twenty 20 Cricket World Cup. The city also hosted the first South Asian Beach Games in 2011. It lies close to some of the biggest wild-life sanctuaries of the country and boasts of some of the most beautiful and unspoilt beaches with the best surf in Sri Lanka. The sacred city of Kataragama is not far away. Hambantota is famous for its salterns, vast salt pans that collect sea-water which is evaporated by the hot sun to produce residual salt.
Hikkaduwa on the south western coast of Sri Lanka has developed entirely on tourism because of its pristine beaches and the coral reefs. Surfing and snorkeling are popular pastimes here and instructors are available for those who want to try out these adventures. Hotels of all sizes have sprung up along the beach and a number of sea-food restaurants salivate the taste-buds. The market place flaunts colourful masks, batik dresses and shirts and other colourful beach-wear. The beach-side cabanas, the restaurants and the hotels have given rise to a vibrant night-life. Glass-bottomed boats can be rented to view the corals reefs and tropical fish. Turtle sanctuaries have been set up in the area to protect these endangered species. The annual Hikkaduwa Beach Fest is fast catching on as a yearly festival of music and dance and is held in the month of August when tourists can truly let their hair down.
