Places

Kithulgala

Kithulgala was a calm, quite and sleepy village. The morning were beautiful with the mist around.The Kelani River (the broadest river in Sri Lanka)flowing through Kithulgala was the main location where the Oscar winning movie Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed. On the hill above this town, a prehistoric cave was recently discovered containing large middens of shells from some unknown civilization.

Galle

Galle fort was built first by the Portuguese, then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it looks new and polished with reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. Today Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties inside the fort are looking at making this one of the modern wonders of the world.

Bandarawela

Bandarawela is the second largest town in Badulla District which is 28 km away from Badulla city. Due to a higher altitude, Bandarawela has a cooler climate throughout the year. Bandarawela is 210 km away from Colombo and about 150 km away from Kandy, Colombo and Kandy being two major cities in Sri Lanka. Both roads and railway transportation are available to reach the area. Bandarawela town, tinted with a colonial past resting among lush forestation has found its niche among its visitors as a base for eco-tourism.

Bandarawela is the paradise for the tature lovers, trekking, hiking, naturewalks, waterfalls, panoromic views, nice climate. So all you can enjoy Bandarawela.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya meaning "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light", is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate

Nuwara Eliya, most famous hill resort in Sri Lanka, is located at the altitude of 2000 metres. Land of the renowned Ceylon tea, the waving mountains of Nuwara Eliya are carpeted by green tea plantations, punctuated with bublisng streams and waterfalls. This picturesque town is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the highest mountain in Sri Lanka. It was once favorite hill station of the British in Sri Lanka.

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa coral reef is a typical shallow fringing reef with an average depth of around 5 metres (16 ft). The coral reef reduces the coastal erosion and forms a natural breakwater. The coast of the national park extends four km. Generally the coast is narrow, ranging from 5-50 m according to the climatic conditions of the year. Scuba diving is a popular recreation here

Peradeniya Botanical Garden

Peradeniya Botanical gardens, the finest of its kind in Asia, the largest of the three botanical gardens in the island, couldn't be better located. In the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the gateway to the central highlands, the Gardens were bounded on three sides by a loop of river Mahaweli.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya occupy a horseshoe shape peninsula around which flows the main river of Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli. The total area is 147 acres. The mean elevation above sea level is about 1550 ft (473m), the climate is hot, moist and very equable. The mean temperature being about 76°F (25°C). Rain falls at frequent intervals averaging 90 inches (229 cm) per year falling on nearly 170 days.

April and May are calm and hot months, with a mean temperature of about 79°F. towards the end of May the South West Monsoon begins to blow, bringing much rain and wind, with a lower mean temperature of 75°F as it progresses the weather becomes gradually finer and warmer through the months of July, August and September. In October the North East Monsoon begins with much rain but less wind than the South West and the last ten weeks - of the year are usually wet, the temperature falling in the end of the year to a mean of about 74°F. January to April is the driest season of the year.

Divrumpola

Divrumpola means a 'place of oath'. This is the place where Sita underwent the "Agni" test. She came unscathed and proved her innocence and purity.

The message of Rama's victory over Ravana was sent to Sita. After a bath and adorned with jewels she was taken on a palanquin before Rama. Meeting her husband after such a long time she was overcome with emotion, but Rama seemed lost in thought. At length he spoke, "I have killed my enemy. I have done my duty as a true king. But you have lived for a year in the enemy's abode. It is not proper I take you back now."

Sita was shocked. "You have broken my heart" she said, "only the uncultured speak like this". Have you forgotten the noble family I come from? Is it my fault Ravana carried me off by force? All the time, my mind, my heart, and soul were fixed on you alone, my lord!"

Sita reverently went round her husband and approached the blazing fire. Joining her palms in salutation, she said, "if I am pure, o fire, protect me." With these words she jumped into the flames. Then arose from out of the flames Agni, the fire-god, whom she had invoked. He lifted Sita from the flames unharmed, and presented her to Rama.

Hence, it is obvious that King Ravana is powerful and cultured king in Sri Lanka.

Seetha Eliya

There is the Hindu Temple called "Seetha Kovil" (Hanuman Kovil). It is found on the way to Badulla from Nuwara Eliya before reaching the Hakgala Botanical Garden. The temple is located in the village called "Seetha Eliya".

The area is related to the Ramayana story in Hinduism. Folklore says that the mighty king Ravana kidnapped princess Seeta who was the queen of Rama and hide her in the place where the temple now is.

Yala National Park

Yala National Park or Ruhuna National Park is the second largest and most visited national park in Sri Lanka. Yala is situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo. It had originally had been designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of its wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds.

Yala is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka. Yala harbours 215 bird species including six endemic species of Sri Lanka. The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. The area had been a centre of past civilisations. Two important pilgrim sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul vihara, are situated within the park. The number of visitors has risen in 2009 since the security situation in the park improved.

Katharagama

Kataragama is a pilgrimage town popular with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and indigenous Vedda communities of Sri Lanka and South India. The town has Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya, a shrine dedicated to Skanda-Murukan also known as Kataragamadevio.

Kataragama is situated in the Monaragala District of Uva province, Sri Lanka. It is situated 228 km ESE of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Although Kataragama was a small village in medieval times, today it is a fast developing township surrounded by jungle in the South Eastern region of Sri Lanka. It also houses the ancient Kiri Vehera Buddhist stupa. The town has a venerable history dating back to the last centuries of BCE. It also was the seat of government of many Sinhalese kings during the days of Rohana kingdom.

Since the 1950's the city has undergone many improvements with successive governments investing in public transportation, medical facilities, and business development and hotel services.

Unawatuna

Unawatuna is a coastal village in Galle district of Sri Lanka. Unawatuna is a major tourist attraction and famous for its beautiful beach and corals.

Over sixty species of endemic birds, including Terns, Egrets, Herons, Sandpipers, Kingfishers, as well as rarer species such as the Lesser Whistling Duck, the Asian Palm Swift, the White Breasted Waterhen, the Turnstone Loten's Sunbird, and the Black Bittern have been sighted in the locality by the ornithologist, Clive Byers. These birds are mostly sighted in the remaining marshy area and Rumassala Hillock.