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Colombo city Like many capital cities in developing countries, Colombo is changing at a fast pace, however its old world charm has been retained and can still be found, like the 100 year old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Also to be found are the old parliament buildings, together with Hindu and Buddhist temples as well as the affluent residential areas where you will find stately homes and the Bandaranayake Memorial Conference Hall, an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China. 

History 3rd century B.C

The Hospital

The view of Mihintale Maha stupa from a distance at the foot of the mountain are the ruins of a hospital, medical bath (or stone canoe in which patients were immersed in medicinal oil) a stone inscription and urns belonging to the ancient period have been unearthed. Between the hospital and the steps leading to the rock are the ruins of a large monastery. On the floors of the square building which is 125 feet (38 m) on one side, are beautiful carvings and also are stone balustrades and guard stones. As this side is precipitous, the steps are on the eastern side of the slope, spacious and in 4 sections. The stairway has 1840 steps made of granite, leading to the summit.

At the end of the first set of steps on the right side of the plain, is a small mountain peak. On this is situated the most famous Kantaka Cetiya.

Mihintale Hospital as being perhaps the oldest in the world.

Kantaka Cetiya

It is stated that King Suratissa may have built this Stupa. The stupa has a circumference of 425'1/2". There are ruins of the stupa which are 40 ft (12 m) in height. There is no doubt that this belongs to the 1st century B.C.

The Refectory

The Courtyard is situated at the end of the third flight of steps. To the left of the courtyard is the refectory. The quadrangle is 62 feet (19 m) in length and 25 ft (7.6 m) in breadth and is surrounded by the storeroom. On either side of the entrance to a building, are 2 inscriptions engraved on 2 large slabs of granite known as the Mihintale stone inscriptions.

This inscription installed by King Mihindu (956 - 976 AD) contains records of payments made to the service staff. In the vicinity on another plain is the meeting hall of the monks. Here the monks met, to discuss the Dhamma and the Vinaya. This is an open building which is 62 feet (19 m) square and was constructed on 48 stone pillars. In the middle of the hall is a platform with 4 entrances. To the East of the refectory is a stupa, 88 feet (27 m) in circumference. It has not been identified so far.

There are many Dagaba’s very important, Ambasthala Dagaba, Maha Stupa, Aradhana Gala, Kaludiya Pokuna. 3rd century B.C Mihintale is Buddhist monk meditation place, It is very famous in the world .

The mountain has over 70 known caves which have been used as dwellings by the early inhabitants of the country and subsequently as monasteries by Buddhist monks but there are no paintings in them. It has a rich documented history and is referred to as "arittha-pabbata" in the Mahavamsa, the great historical chronicle which records that Pandukabhaya, the third king of Sri Lanka (377-307 BC) sojourned in the mountain for seven years preparing for the wars to capture the kingdom. The early inhabitants of Ritigala referred to as "yakkas" joined Pandukabhaya’s cause and fought in his many battles. Ritigala appears to have been also used by King Dutugemunu (101-72 BC) and by King Jetthatissa in the 7th century in their wars against the Indian Invaders. There are rock inscriptions which indicate that gradually, Ritigala had become a monastic retreat for hermit (Pamsukulika) monks and a place of religious significance. By the 10th-12th century AD however Ritigala seems to have been abandoned by the hermit monks and soon it was covered by jungle and forgotten.

It is covered with dense jungle inhabited by wild elephants, leopards and bears. It is the watershed of the Malwatu Oya which feeds the Nachaduwa tank and Kalueba Ela which feeds Huruluwewa. The upper part of the mountain is well known for its flora, some of which are rare; it has also a range of wild orchids.

What may be called one of the wonders of the world is the tall, standing statue of the Buddha at Aukana, another architectural marvel of the ancient Sinhalese. The rock cut statue which stands 39 feet above its decorated lotus plinth and 10 feet across the shoulders, belongs to the period of King Dhatusena (459-477 AD), the builder of the great reservoir Kalawewa.

It has been very well preserved over the years and is a joy for anyone to see and appreciate. It is a unique creation by an unknown great sculptor.

History 10th century AD 13th century AD

Vijayabahu I, Polonnaruwa, the capital of the kingdom for over two centuries, produced two great kings. his nephew Parakramabahu 1 (1153-86 AD), not satisfied with the ouster of the ruling Sri Lanka chola 's southern India made by his uncle, not only brings the war directly on Indian soil, but went with a quick foray up in Burma. Caught by the demon at home instead of building, erected a large number of buildings in the capital and dig a large number of tanks across the country. However, the excesses in both the military and architectural wear down the country and probably the duration of Polonnaruwa as their capital.

The successor of Parakramabahu I Nissanka Malla (1187-96) was the 'last great kings of Polonnaruwa, succeeded by a series of weak and incompetent rulers until the appearance of a new kingdom in northern India''island. The tanks were neglected or destroyed and because of the decay of the system of irrigation''spread malaria, finally also Polonnaruwa. Similarly in Anuradhapura a few centuries earlier, was abandoned.

Polonnaruwa, a world heritage site, with ruins dating back to the 12th century. View Gal Vihara and the four beautiful statues of Buddha that are carved into the rock, over the remains of a former temple of Tooth Relic & many valuable historical interesting places can visit here. And visit to the largest reservoir of water for irrigation (Parakramabahu Samudraya)

Early in the 11th century AD Anuradhapura suffered one of the worst Indian invasions, Polonnaruwa became fortified with three concentric walls and became the next seat of rule with its many beautiful parks, gardens and butterflies. The City itself has many ancient shrines and is well known for the unique irrigation complex, known as the 'Sea of Parakrama', so vast is its scale.

3rd century A.D

8890 hectares of MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK is famous for nature location and irrigation water reservoir in Sri Lanka . The park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to Sri Lanka’s favorites such as elephants, sambhur deer, colourful birds.

However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built by King Mahasena in 3rd century AD ). During the dry season (June to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze on the grasses as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted storks to name but a few) those come to fish in the shallow water. Late evening you will see picturesque scenery of sunset and more birds.

As a reputed Travel Agency and a Travel  partner we seek the ancient srilanka From Anuradhapura City to the Kandy City by kingdoms.

History of sigiriya- 3 centuries BC and 5 centuries AD

Sigiriya dates back from over 7,000 years ago, through Pre-Historic to Proto-Historic to Early Historic times, then as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the 3rd century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the (sangha) Buddhist monks.

The garden city and the palace was built by Kasyapa 477 - 495 AD. Then after Kasyapa's death it was a monastery complex upto about the 14th century. However, there is also another version of the Kasyapa story, related by one of the most eminent historians of Sri Lanka, Prof. Senerat Paranavitana. He claims to have deciphered the story of Sigiriya, written by a monk named Ananda in the 15th cent. AD. this work had been inscribed on stone slabs, over which later inscriptions had been written. Till to date no other epigraphist has made a serious attempt to read the interlinear inscriptions.

The two conflicting versions have been the basis for the historical novel Kat Bitha’ by daya dissanayake, published in 1998.

Sigiriya is also the location for Arthur C Clerks ‘Fountains of Paradise’ Ancient glory dazzles at Sigiriya with a stunning 5th century A.D. and 3rd century B.C. rock fortress citadel built by a fugitive king in the sky, acclaimed as the 8th wonder of the world. Marvels include the mirror wall, lion stairway, water gardens and glowing colourful frescoes.

In a cave on the steep west wall of Sigiriya, beautiful girls smile still incredible frescoes. Around the foot of the rock, siadagiano The oldest gardens of 'Asia, dotted with pretty lakes and huge boulders fallen from the walls of the fortress.

History 3 century B.C, and 12 century A.D

Dambulla Rock Temple, Climb up to the temple, which was donated by King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to Buddhist monks. Dambulla is a world heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's natural cave temples belong to the 3rd century B.C. meditation for Buddhist monks. The complex of 5 caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings are the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha, of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters.

During Past history Sri Lanka known as Taprobane, was world renowned for its Quality Spices. During ancient times the Greeks, Romans and the Arabic maintained their links with Sri Lanka through the spice trade. In the 16th century Ceylon, as it was then known, was discovered by Portuguese who soon began trading in cinnamon and other spices. The Dutch and British followed bringing with them their own history and influences, forming a strong Western presence which created a history of food expressed with spices which can be tasted in the dishes today.

Spices are an essential element of the cuisine of Sri Lanka and the Ayurvedic tradition and a visit to a garden specializes in the cultivation of these substances and an excellent way for purposes of new uses of certain ingredients that perhaps though they knew well. Find cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom and black pepper, to name a few. Europeans can buy the products in their natural state or in the form of oils and potions that are used by Ayurvedic medicine, during the Dutch, very famous spices of Sri Lanka and we export to different countries. That has earned the country the name of "Island of the spices”.

Kandy, which is a world heritage site, was the last ancient capital of the Sri Lankan Kings and its name brought up visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions of folklores are still lovingly kept alive. You will be driven around the lake at Kandy, built by the last Sinhala King, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. The evening visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic is truly breathtaking, followed by a visit to the famous Kandy cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan Kandyan Dancing .

BOTANICAL GARDEN -Peradeniya

The history of the Royal Botanic Gardens dates as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and kept court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli Ganga. Later, in the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe from 1747 to 1780 this was made a Royal Garden and from 1780 – 1798 King Rajadhi Rajasinghe resided therein, where a temporary residence was erected for him.

A vihare and dagoba were built in the reign of King Wimala Dharma which was improved by King Rajadhi Rajasinghe. The vihare and dagoba were destroyed by the English when they occupied Kandy. The famous historical battle of Gannoruwa between Rajasinghe II and the Portuguese was fought on the Northern side of the river. A priest resided here till the Gardens were formed by Mr. Alexandar Moon in 1821 six years after the final conquest of the Kandyan Kingdom.

In 1810 under the advice of Sir Joseph Banks a garden named Kew was opened in Slave Island and Mr. William Kerr was appointed as its Superintendent. In 1813 the garden was moved to Kalutara for the reception of economic plants which could be cultivated there on a larger scale than was possible at Slave Island. Kerr died in 1814 and under the rule of his successor Mr. Alexander Moon this Garden was finally moved to Peradeniya in 1821 as it was found to be favorable and better adapted for the proposed Botanic establishment. The transfer of exotics from the Kalutara Garden was made by successive Superintendents at least up to 1843.

Pinnawela elephant orphanage, which is home for about 75 elephants. Many of the elephants are babies which were found abandoned in the wild and are now cared for by the wildlife authorities. The best time to visit is during the feeding times when you may have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants bottled fed. Following the feeding, accompany the elephants down to the river and watch them having their daily bath. 

To Nuwara Eliya, is the heart of the hill country. The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka offer a salubrious cool climate. The mountain slopes are covered with acres and acres of tea with its fragrant aroma mingling with the fresh air. Nestled among the mist covered central hills in a cool basin Nuwara Eliya, the hill resort, resemble a little English village. Road leading to this hill station winds through miles and miles of 'green carpet' of tea bushes where tea pluckers are seen busily picking the 'bud and two leaves' that go to form the most popular brew in the world, the 'Ceylon Tea'.

Waterfalls: Devon Falls, St. Clares, Ramboda Falls and Baker's Falls are the main eye-catching water falls in Sri Lanka. The geographical formation of the Island with the central highland sloping down to the coastal plains has resulted in several rivers and streams in the hill country. Starting from the central region, flowing down the hilly slopes in a radial pattern they create beautiful waterfalls in several places.

A Horton plain is well recognized for its rich biodiversity, its flora given to a high level of endemism. Traditionally Mahaeliya in Sinhala, it was rechristned as Horton Plains after Sir Robert Horton, Sri Lanka's British Governor in 1831-37. it was gazetted as a Nature Reserve in 1969 and was upgraded as a National Park in 1988 because of its unique watershed and biodiversity values. Leopard, Bearmonkey ( Trachypithecus vetulus monticola), Barking deer, Giant squirrel, Fishing cat, Wild boar.

The total extent of the Horton Plains is 3159.8 hectares. Formed as an amphitheatre of beautiful mountains and grassland, Horton Plains is a highlight in the central hill country. At 2359 meters, Totupolakanda in the northern part of the park is the third tallest mountain of Sri Lanka. To its west Kirigalpotte rises to 2393 meters to be the second tallest. Horton Plains cradels Belihul Oya, Bagawanthala Oya and Agara Oya which are the source streams for the country's major rivers viz Walawe, Kelani and Mahaweli. The latitudinal range of the park is 2100-2300 meters.

The Yala West (Ruhuna) Ntional park includes a strictly protected natural reserve and a national park, which together form a total area of 126,786 acres preserved. This park is divided into five blocks, Quail of the most visited and one block (14,101 hectares), also known as Yala West (originally a reserve of flora and fauna in 1938.)

This game park has one of the highest densities of leopards. You may have the opportunity to spotted Deer, elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears and mongoose the Yala, Udawalawe and other 11 National Parks such as Wilpattu, Wasgamuwa, Kaudulla and Bundala are home to 92 species of mammals 14 of which are endemic to the island. Pride of place goes to the majestic elephant and other exotic species which include the leopard, sloth bear, sambhur, spotted deer, mouse deer, wild boar, porcupine, ant eater, civet cat, jackal, giant squirrel, and a variety of monkeys including the endemic macaque, purple faced leaf monkey, grey langur and the shaggy bear monkey. Also 427 recorded birds species make Sri Lanka an Ornithologist's paradise. Not forgetting 242 species of breathtaking butterflies, exotic and varied Flora and the mesmerizing Minneriya Tank and National Park. The 3rd century B.C. King Devanampiyatissa established the world's first Fauna and Flora sanctuary at Mihintale.

History 12 and 16 century A.D

Galle fortress is very famous in the world 16th century Portuguese, Gall was a port in pre- Christian times but gained in importance after the 12th century. By 14 century it was the most important port on the south western and southern coasts of Sri Lanka. Galle is one of the heritage sites in Sri Lanka.

Its center and surrounded by the strong Dutch -- Portuguese, the oldest building of the city. Galle But the more ancient and some scholars believe that both " Tarshish''of the Old Testament, where King Solomon sent his boats and where Jonah refuge.

The geographical position of Galle, the main routes world, rendered certainly for many centuries an important stopover between the Middle East and the 'East transforming it into a shopping center with a people rich and internationally.

According to James Emerson Tennent, Galle was the ancient seaport of Tarshish, from which King Solomon drew ivory, peacocks and other valuables. Certainly, cinnamon was exported from Sri Lanka as early as 1400 BC and the root of the word itself is Hebrew, so Galle may have been the main entrepot for the spice. So Galle is one of oldest harbor in Sri Lanka.

Moonstone's other name, adularia , which comes from an early mining site in the Adula Mountains (Reheinwaldhorn) in Switzerland, gives rise to the term adularescence to describe moonstone's beautiful white iridescent sheen.

Moonstone is feldspar. As feldspars weather, they break down into kaolin , a clay mineral used in high quality ceramics and pottery.

The Galle district of Sri Lanka's southern coastal belt (in which Mitiyogoda sits) is famous for a variety of gems.

With a mining industry more than 2,500 years old, Sri Lanka has been known since antiquity as Ratna Deepa, the "Island of Gems." It is home to 40 gem varieties out of a total of 85 in the world. Providing income to nearly 150,000 people per mining season, 30,000-40,000 gem pits operate annually. Most labor is from low-income groups whose efforts make up nearly 90% of Sri Lanka's total income from mineral exports. In 2001, total gem and jewelry exports from Sri Lanka totaled $240M (US)