INTERESTING PLACES
Anuradapura

Anuradapura - the ancient Singhalese capital city which flourished from around 500BC to around 1100AD reciving ambassadors from China, Rome and Persia with a variety of dynasties before being moved south to Pollanaruwa. Anuradapura had four monastic communities Abeygiria, Jetavanarama, Isurumuniya and Maha vihara each covering an area of several sq km with upto 5-10,000 monks each. Anuradapura contains several large dagobas relating to the monastic communities as well as the Sri Maha Bodhi. a large spreading tree(Ficus religiosa, reputedly the oldest historically documented tree, bought as a cutting from the tree under which the Gautama Buddha gained enlightenment in Bodgaya N india.
 

 

Colombo Museum
 

Colombo is the place where Sri Lanka’s hustle and bustle takes place. Although it is the biggest city in Sri Lanka, this is the place where the commercial heart beats and where you can see some of the tallest buildings in Asia. In the northern part of the city is the fort area, where you can find the British fort, dating from the 19th century, and other remnants of the former colonial power. When you set off for Galle, which was the capital city when the Dutch ruled before the British invaded the Pearl of the Orient, you can visit the world heritage fort complex.

 

Kandy
 

The city of Kandy lies at an altitude of 488.6 meters (1629 feet) above sea level in the center of the island and surrounded by the ranges of mountains. It is still very much a focal point of Sri Lankan culture. It was the capitol of last generation of Sri Lanka`s kings until it fell in to the hands of British in 1815.

Kandy was originally known as Senkadagala pura after a hermit named Senkada who lived there. Many of Sinhalese people call it “Mahanuwara” meaning the "Great City”. But the name Kandy was derived from the Word Kanda, which means mountain. Due to it’s geographical location Kandy was not an easy target for the foreign invaders who could gain the control of coastal area of the island.

Thus Kandyan culture was abler to foster and maintain its own social structure, mode of living, Art & Architecture. The kings of Kandy ensured the safety and sovereignty of the hill capitol and it’s great culture until the British finally captured the city in 1815.

The royal palace in Senkadagala was built by King Vikramabahu the 3rd of Gampola on the advice of a Brahmin who selected the site as a lucky ground for a Capital city. The first king to ascended the throne of Senkadagala was Sena Sammata Wickramabahu