Things to do in sri lanka By: Admin

Things to do in sri lanka

Beach Stays

When in Sri Lanka, one essential experience is to spend some time just lazing on a beautiful, tranquil beach. Struggling to choose between them? Here's a brief overview of the country's coastal regions, followed by our selection of the best Sri Lanka beaches..

Unawatuna

Things to do Unawatuna Sri Lanka

Unawatuna is now more accessible, being just one hour away on the Southern expressway when you are coming Colombo City.

Diving and snorkeling

Unawatuna very famous for diving and it has fair reason. Galle area is one of natural harbor of country and this famous city was one of main trade city. In Unawatuna area you may see one of very special and important cool reef that spread in large natural bay shielded by a shallow coral reef. Not even that you may fine many 14 wrecks within this natural bay. Guests will never forget the amazing experience at Unawatuna. It’s very rare to fine 14 wrecks in one place and Unawatuna is rich with it. On the other hand this is one of best and hot spot of snorkeling. One of best thing is you can spend your time with family and friends in here with safe and there is no threat of Sharks.

Unawatuna beach Galle Sri Lanka

Peace Pagoda (Japan Temple)

A Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa a monument to inspire peace, designed to provide a focus for people of all races and creeds, and to help unite them in their search for world peace. Most (though not all) peace pagodas built since World War II have been built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii (1885–1985), a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myōhōji Buddhist Order. Fujii was greatly inspired by his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in 1931 and decided to devote his life to promoting non-violence. In 1947, he began constructing Peace Pagodas as shrines to world peace.

Peace and watch for the path through the jungle. You will then have to walk about ten minutes. Glimpses of clear blue sea will greet you now and then, and butterflies will flit across your path.

Peace Pagoda Temple Unawatuna

Visiting Ancient Galle Fort

Galle is one of city which has ancient history. Galle Dutch fort which was built by Dutch in 17th Century is one of major place you can visit. The fort is one of their great achievements during the colonial time they have made. Visitors have access to feel the experience of Colonial time and there are many museums which you can study about fort and its history. Not even that you can shopping within Galle fort. This amazing fort founded in 16th Century by Portuguese and it became the height development in 18th Century.

Galle fort

Shopping in Galle

Shopping in Galle is one of ideal activity that you can involve. There are many places that you can shop. There are many more things you can buy. You can buy Handy craft, Batik, Gem and Jewelry, Antiques and many more. Shopping network of Galle city is well spread with many shops and markets.

Whale Watching

This is one of amazing experience you can ever have. You can feel this experience from Galle city because visitors can access for this in Galle. Guest can see Blue whales, Sperm Whales and Dolphin near to Mirissa area. The place located 09 nautical miles away from land. There are special boats which are specially made for whale watching. Whale watching is one of memorable experience during the life.

Bentota

Bentota is a resort town on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Its long Bentota Beach stretches north, where it becomes a sandy strip known as Paradise Island, parallel to Bentota Lagoon. Coral-rich dive sites include Canoe Rock. On Bentota River, centuries-old Galapota Temple has a large Buddha statue. Southeast is Lunuganga, the estate and gardens of architect Geoffrey Bawa. Northeast is his brother Bevis's Brief Garden.

Bentota Beach

Things to do Bentota Sri Lanka

Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project

Sea turtles are on the verge of extinction in Sri Lanka. In order to preserve this rare species, Kosgoda village has developed a conversation project to preserve the sea turtles. This project is popularly known as Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project. The primary aim of starting this project is to monitor the behavior of sea turtle and conserve their local nestling sites. Through their program, they try to educate people about the protection of this beautiful creature.

Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project

Brief Garden

Ten kilometres inland from Bentota is the Brief Garden, house, which used to be the home of landscape architect Bevis Bawa, brother of renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa. The estate was formerly a rubber plantation, but in its current form it is a hillside garden with excellent views and artwork – from erotic sculpture to a wonderful mural of Sri Lankan life in the style of Marc Chagall, which were created both by Bevis himself and other artists. The mural was created by Australian artist Donald Friend, who originally came for six days but stayed six years. Other guests Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier  stayed here during the filming of Elephant Walk in 1953.

Brief Garden

Bentota Beach

Bentota, Sri Lanka, 64 km down from Colombo, is the second tourist resort following Beruwala Bay Beach, 55 km down from Colombo by the same highway, Sprawling under an endless canopy of palm trees, the beaches continue several kilometres south from Bentota. The attractive southern end of Bentota beach.

Bentota River
The Bentota river is the boarder between southern and western Province in Sri Lanka.

Bentota River

Bentota Ayurveda Centre

This is not the place for you if you're looking for all the frills of fancy, expensive Ayurveda massages. This is Sri Lanka PURE - which is what makes the experience so special. You will be efficiently picked up by a tuk tuk and taken through tiny streets winding through forests of palm trees and banana plants. Our massage rooms are located in a small, quaint guest house which specializes in Ayurvedic holidays

Bentota Ayurveda Centre

Lunuganga

The Lunuganga Estate was the country house of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. The estate had been used as a cinnamon estate during the Dutch era and then a rubber plantation under the British.

Lunuganga Estate

Induruwa

Beautiful, un-crowded beaches, a scenic village life and the comfortable distance to Colombo and the major touristic hot-spots on Sri Lankas West Coast are making Induruwa a prime destination not only for those looking to relax mind and body but is an excellent starting point for excursions and day trips.

Induruwa Beach

Things to do Induruwa Sri Lanka

Induruwa Sea Turtle Conservation Project & Sea Turtle Information Center

One of a kind turtle conservation center in turtle hatching location in Sri Lanka. Induruwa is the city which this conservation fall in to. This conservation encourages people to educate Turtle conservation and helping lively hood of people who operate these projects. This location explain clearly and demonstrate conservation and progress towards elimination of poaching Albino turtles

Sea Turtle 

Maadu River 

The Maadu river offers very popular boat trips down the river where you can arrange to visit temples, cinnamon estates  and other nature resorts. This area is a preserved wild life sanctuary.

Maadu River

Water Sports

Nearby Aluthgama and Bentota are well known for water skiing, boating, sailing, and many other water sports. For beginners several training schools are offering personal training.

Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay, known locally as "Arugam Kudah", is a bay situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's southeast coast, and a historic settlement of the ancient Batticaloa Territory.

Arugam bay beach

Things to do Arugam Bay Sri Lanka

Surfing
Arugam Bay is one of the world’s top surfing destinations

Surfing

Mirissa

Mirissa is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, located in the Matara District of the Southern Province. It is approximately 150 kilometres south of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 4 metres above the sea level.

Things to do Mirissa Sri Lanka

Mirissa beach

located close to the southern tip of Sri Lanka, approximately 200 km (120 mi) from the equator,and 4 km (2.5 mi) southeast of Weligama, a town on the south coast of Sri Lanka.It is crescent-shaped and secluded.

Mirissa Beach

Dolphin & Whale Watching

Whale and Dolphin watching is an easy sport that you can take up during the months of December to April. All you need to take is a boat, few kilometers from the shore, which we can help you arrange. Experienced local guides can show you a good time in watching whales and dolphins off the coast of Mirissa.

Whale Watching Misissa beach

Uppuveli

Uppuveli is a gold sand coastal resort town of the Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka located in the suburb of Sambalativu, 6 km northwest of the city of Trincomalee.

Wildlife Safaris

Wildlife Tours in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka,

Phone: +94 70 222 8222

Yala Safari Jeep Tours sri lanka
No 81/2, Kataragama 91400, Sri Lanka
Phone: +94 71 261 9387

Leopard Safaris Yala Campsite
Phone: +94 71 331 4004

Udawalawe National Park
7th Mile Post,Sevanagala,Monaragala,Uva Province, Sri Lanka
Phone: +94 47 3 475892

Noel Rodrigo's Leopard Safaris
Katagamuwa Road, Kataragama, Sri Lanka
Phone: +94 71 331 4004

Noel Rodrigo's Leopard Safaris Wilpattu Campsite
Pahala Maragahawewa, Sri Lanka
Phone: +94 71 331 4004

Wilpattu National Park
Phone: +94 11 2 199323

Multi-Sanctuary Wildlife Safari Tours
160 / 295, Lake Road, Wickramasinghepura, Battaramulla 44321, Sri Lanka
Phone: +94 72 739 5322

Wasgamuwa National Park
Phone: +94 66 3 669046


Visiting Cultural Triangle

Sri Lanka's cultural triangle – stretching from medieval Kandy to the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura to the north and Polonnaruwa to the east – is a treasure trove of some of the island’s, if not the world’s, finest ancient monuments.

What to see in Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle

North from Kandy to Dambulla

From Kandy, most visitors heading for the Cultural Triangle plough straight up the main road north to Dambulla, Sigiriya and beyond. If you have your own transport, however, there are several interesting sites en route. Two of these – the famous monastery of Aluvihara and the wonderful little temple at Nalanda – are right on the main highway.

The main road between Kandy and Dambulla is also littered with innumerable spice gardens. The temperate climate of the region – halfway in altitude between the coastal plains and the hill country – offers ideal horticultural conditions, and if you’re interested in seeing where the ingredients of Sri Lankan cuisine come from, now is your chance. Entrance is generally free, but you’ll be expected to buy some spices at inflated prices in return for a look at the various plants and shrubs.

Kandy

Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession.

Sri Dalada Maligawa

Dambulla

More or less at the heart of the Cultural Triangle, the dusty little town of DAMBULLA is famous for its remarkable cave temples: five magical, dimly lit grottoes crammed with statues and decorated with some of the finest murals in the country, offering a picture-perfect snapshot of Sinhalese Buddhist art at its finest.

Dambulla cave temple

Sigiriya

Around 15km northeast of Dambulla, the spectacular citadel of SIGIRIYA rises sheer and impregnable out of the denuded plains of the dry zone, sitting atop a huge outcrop of gneiss rock towering 200m above the surrounding countryside. The shortest-lived but the most extraordinary of all Sri Lanka’s medieval capitals, Sigiriya (“Lion Rock”) was declared a World Heritage Site in 1982 and is the country’s most memorable single attraction – a remarkable archeological site made unforgettable by its dramatic setting.

Sigiriya

Polonnaruwa

The great ruined capital of POLONNARUWA is one of the undisputed highlights of the Cultural Triangle – and indeed the whole island. The heyday of the city, in the twelfth century, represented one of the high watermarks of early Sri Lankan civilization. The Chola invaders from South India had been repulsed by Vijayabahu and the Sinhalese kingdom he established at Polonnaruwa enjoyed a brief century of magnificence under his successors Parakramabahu and Nissankamalla, who planned the city as a grand statement of imperial pomp, transforming it briefly into one of the great urban centres of South Asia before their own hubris and excess virtually bankrupted the state. Within a century, their enfeebled successors had been driven south by new waves of invaders from southern India, and Polonnaruwa had been abandoned to the jungle, where it remained, unreclaimed and virtually unknown, for seven centuries.

Polonnaruwa

Anuradhapura

For well over a thousand years, the history of Sri Lanka was essentially the history of ANURADHAPURA. Situated almost at the centre of the island’s northern plains, the city rose to prominence very early in the development of Sri Lanka, and maintained its pre-eminent position for more than a millennium until being finally laid waste by Indian invaders in 993. Today, Anuradhapura remains a magical place. The sheer scale of the ruined ancient city – and the thousand-plus years of history buried here – is overwhelming, and you could spend days or even weeks ferreting around amongst the ruins.

Anuradhapura Ruwanweli maha Stupa

Mihintale

Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka

Minintale

Ritigala

Ritigala is an ancient Buddhist monastery and mountain in Sri Lanka. The ruins and rock inscriptions of the monastery date back to 1st century BCE. It is located 43 km away from the ancient monastic city of Anuradhapura.

Ritigala Ruins

Adventures

Adventures in Sri Lanka to make your time here all the more exciting!

Trekking and Hiking in Sri Lanka
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For the keen hiker, there is a plethora of opportunities awaiting in Sri Lanka 's diverse and luscious hill country. The beautiful area of Haputale and Diyatalawa, located in the hill country of Sri Lanka , provides a base from which to try out a wide variety of hiking and trekking tours through jungle, across tea estates and up mountains. The river and numerous waterfalls in Sri Lanka are another key attraction that allows hikers and trekkers to enjoy a refreshing dip en-route.

Trekking & Hiking in Sri Lanka

Whale and Dolphin Watching
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The BBC documentary titled “Ocean Giants” featuring the mesmeric world of Whales and Dolphins, and the scientist’s effort to shed light on their habits and why they grow so large were filmed around Sri Lanka and according to them 30 Blue Whales were sighted in a single day.

There is a 95% chance of spotting Blue Whales and great chances of Sperm Whales spottingas as their migration path from Africa to Australia is just off Dondra Point. We are able to arrange Whale Watching Trips off Mirissa in a fully insured trawler boat which will last for 3 hours. There is a good chance of spotting Spinner Dolphins off Mirissa.

Whale Watching

Hot Air ballooning

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A great way to experience the exhilaration of flight with a bird’s eye view of the area below, a silent ride through the sky, an excursion that has caught on fast with locals and tourist alike is hot air ballooning, drifting gently over the cultural triangle, or a wildlife park in a hot air balloon will be unforgettable.

Hot air ballooning

Under Water

POULAR DIVE SITES IN SRI LANKA
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UNDER WATER DIVING & SNORKELING TOURS HIKKADUWA SRI LANKA

UNDER WATER DIVING & SNORKELING TOURS TRINCOMALEE SRI LANKA

UNDER WATER DIVING & SNORKELING TOURS KALPITIYA SRI LANKA

Above Water
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One of the advantages of being an island is that you have water all around you and sandy beaches to match, where one can enjoy surfing in Hikkaduwa, Jet Ski riding, boogie boarding in Bentota, kite surfing in Kalpitiya all year around in many locations around the island. If the surf is not right in one place you simply move to the next place and Sri Lanka being small, one can get to the next best destination of your choice without much hassle and carry on with the your preferred above water activity.

Jetski riding

Sail boats and Cruises
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Sri Lanka provides perfect atmosphere for sailing all year round: sunny weather, good winds and beautiful landscapes. From October until May Mirissa and Beruwela are the places to be. From June until September Trincomalee and Pasikudah are the perfect spots for sailing.

sailing

Tea Estate Trails
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The story of tea in Sri Lanka starts with the Scotish planter James Taylor in 1866 in “Loolecondara” estate in Galaha the remnants of his cottage and tea bushes are still preserved as a permanent memento to the man credited for introducing tea to Sri Lanka , he died aged 57 and was buried in Kandy cemetery, in the country he came to love as a planter. Today, almost one hundred and fifty years after James Taylor, Sri Lanka’s central hills from Hatton, Dickoya, Bogawanthalawa, to Nuwara Eliya and every small town in higher elevations have their ground covered in a carpet of premium quality Sri Lankan tea.

Weddings & Honeymoons

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Sri Lanka has always been an ideal destination for an exotic wedding ceremony and honeymoon, and currently it enjoys the third spot on most popular destination for weddings and honeymoons in the world. The back drop of your wedding can be selected from, hot-air balloons drifting silently through the air, a jungle setting, on a wide sandy beach with an elephant, on a riverboat cruising along a river, little private island, a tea plantation, to a private ceremony in an old church in the hill country.

Wedding

By Train

MOST POPULAR SCENIC TRAIN JOURNEYS IN SRI LANKA

KANDY TO ELLA

Kandy to Ella train trip is considered one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Therefore we facilitate our clients to book observation deck, luxury air conditioned compartment, 1st class AC compartment or 2nd class non AC reserved seats. The train starts from Colombo Fort Railway station and it takes about 3 hours approximately to reach Kandy/Peradeniya Railway station where the scenic trip begins. The train would reach Ella approximately in six hours and the most scenic part of the train journey is from Hatton to Haputale. It will be a good idea for travelers who go to Sri Pada in Maskeliya or White Water Rafting in Kitulgala to join the train ride from Hatton station.

Kandy to Ella by train

Forts and Lighthouses

Forts

Forts and fortifications in Sri Lanka date back thousands of years with many being built by Sri Lankan Kings, these include several walled cities. With the out set of colonial rule in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka was occupied by several major colonial empires that from time-to-time became the dominant power in the Indian Ocean. The colonists built several western styled forts, mostly in and round the cost of the island. The first to build colonial forts in Sri Lanka were the Portuguese, these forts were captured and later expanded by the Dutch. The British occupied these Dutch forts during the Napoleonic wars.

Most of colonial forts were garrisoned up until the early 20th century. The coastal forts had coastal artillery manned by the Ceylon Garrison Artillery during the two world wars. Most of these were abandoned by the military, but retained civil administrative officers, while others retained military garrisons, which were more administrative than operational. Some were reoccupied by military units with the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War, Jaffna fort for example came under siege several times.

Lighthouses

Most of the lighthouses in Sri Lanka were built during the British rule of the country (then known as Ceylon). These were operated and maintained by the Imperial Lighthouse Service, however some lighthouses had keepers sent from Trinity House. After Sri Lanka gained independence the operation of the lighthouses was taken over by the Navy on a piecemeal basis with the completion of transfer by 1976. There are twenty five lighthouses in Sri Lanka, with sixteen of those being still active. Most of these lighthouses now fall under the control of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, whilst the remainder are under the control of the Sri Lanka Navy.

POPULAR FORTS AND LIGHTHOUSES IN SRI LANKA

Mapagala fortress

Mapagala fortress was an ancient fortified complex of the Anuradhapura Kingdom long before Kasyapa I built his city, Sigiriya. It is located to the South of Sigiriya and closer to Sigiriya tank.

It was built by using unshaped boulders to about 20 ft high. Each stone is broad and thick and some of them are about 10 ft high and about 4 ft long. It is believed that it was built before the time of usage of metal tools.Arthur Maurice Hocart note says that cyclopean style stone walls were used for the fortress, and square hammered stones were used for the ramparts of the citadel. However, his note suggest metal (iron) tool were used for construction. Excavations work in this areas found out a few stone forges, which proved Hocart's claim on the usage of metal tool

Mapagala Fort

Batticaloa fort

The Batticaloa Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1628 and was captured by the Dutch on 18 May 1638. Later, the fort was used by British from 1745.

The fort has a structure of four bastions and is protected by the Batticaloa Lagoon on two sides and a canal on the other two sides. The fort is still in reasonable condition and currently houses several local administrative departments of the Sri Lanka government in new buildings, which are located within the old structure.

Batticaloa Fort

Fort Fredrick

Fort Fredrick also known as Trincomalee Fort or Fort of Triquillimale, is a fort built by the Portuguese at Trincomalee, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka, completed in 1624 CE, built on Swami Rock-Konamamalai from the debris of the world famous ancient Hindu Koneswaram temple (Temple of a Thousand Pillars).The temple was destroyed by the Portuguese colonial Constantino de Sá de Noronha under Phillip III, occupier of the Jaffna kingdom and Malabar country on the island. On the Konamalai cape was also built a new village of Portuguese and Tamil people, 50 Portuguese soldiers and inside the fort, a church named after "Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe". The Fort of Triquillimale was dismantled and rebuilt by the Dutch in 1665, renamed Fort Fredrick

Fort Fredrick

Jaffna Fort

Jaffna Fort is a fort built by the Portuguese at Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1618 under Philip De Olivera following the Portuguese invasion of Jaffna. The fort is located near Karaiyur. Due to numerous miracles attributed to the statue of Virgin Mary in the church inside the fort, Jaffna Fort was named as Fortress of Our Lady of Miracles of Jafanapatão (Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora dos Milagres de Jafanapatão). It was captured by the Dutch under Rijcklof van Goens in 1658 who expanded it. In 1795, it was taken over by the British, and remained under the control of a British garrison till 1948. As the only large military fort in the country, due to the presence of only government and military buildings within its ramparts, it was garrisoned by a detachment of the Ceylon Army.

Jaffna Fort

Dondra Head Lighthouse

Dondra Head Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on Dondra Head near the southernmost point in Sri Lanka and is the tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka and also one of the tallest in South East Asia. Dondra Head lighthouse is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

The lighthouse is near the village of Dondra, and is approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) southeast of Matara. The name Dondra is a synonym for "Devi-Nuwara" in the local Sinhala language, "Devi" meaning "Gods" and "Nuwara" meaning "City". Dondra is therefore derived to mean "City of the Gods".

Dondra head Lighthouse

Great Basses Reef Lighthouse

Great Basses Reef Lighthouse is an offshore lighthouse in the south of Sri Lanka, and it is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. It is located on a reef 13 km off the coast of Yala National Park, near Little Basses Reef Lighthouse. It is accessible only by boat. The two Basses lighthouses, 'Great' and 'Little', are among the most famous offshore lighthouses of Asia.

Great Basses Reef Lighthouse

Little Basses Reef Lighthouse

Little Basses Reef Lighthouse is an active offshore lighthouse at the southern end of Sri Lanka and it is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Navy. It is located on a reef called Kuda Ravana Kotuwa (Fort of Little Ravana), but when the British invaded Ceylon they named it Little Basses (fourteen km off the coast of Yala National Park and north east of the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse. The two Basses lighthouses are among the most famous offshore lighthouses of Asia.

The lighthouse was designed by Sir James Nicholas Douglass and built by William Douglass using the same steam ships, crew and workers as the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse was completed in 1878.

It withstood the force of a tsunami in 2004 with only modest damage; it was repaired with assistance from the UK lighthouse authorities Trinity House and The Northern Lighthouse Board.

Little Basses Reef Lighthouse

Batticaloa Lighthouse

Batticaloa Lighthouse, is a lighthouse in Sri Lanka, situated near the estuary in Palameenmadu, was built in 1913 and is 28 meters high.

Batticaloa Lighthouse

Speleology - cave tours in Sr Lanka

Prior to the mid-nineteenth century the scientific value of caves was considered only in its contribution to other branches of science, and cave studies were considered part of the larger disciplines of geography, geology or archaeology. Very little cave-specific study was undertaken prior to the work of Édouard-Alfred Martel (1859 - 1938), the 'father of modern speleology', who through his extensive and well-publicised cave explorations introduced in France the concept of speleology as a distinct area of study. In 1895 Martel founded the Société de Spéléologie, the first organization devoted to cave science in the world.


The growth of speleology is directly linked with that of the sport of caving, both because of the stimulation of public interest and awareness, and the fact that most speleological field-work has been conducted by sport cavers.

POPULAR SPELEOLOGY (CAVING) IN SRI LANKA

Batatotalena (Batadombalena) Cave

The Batatotalena Cave, also known as the Diva Guhava in Buddhist literature, is a cave system in Sudagala, 8 km (5 mi) away from the town of Kuruwita, in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka.

The cave measures approximately 15 m (49 ft) high, 18 m (59 ft) wide, and 25 m (82 ft) in length, totalling the internal cave area to 6,800 m3 (240,000 cu ft). Accessing the cave involves a 400 m (1,300 ft) hike from Sudagala, and an additional 50 m (160 ft) climb to reach the cave entrance. Approximately 30 m (98 ft) from the cave is another partially submerged cave, which is accessible after a 20 m (66 ft) swim.


In Buddhism, it is believed to be the cave in which the Lord Buddha spent the day after placing his footprint on Sri Padha, from where he supposedly proceeded to Dighavapi.

Batatotalena Cave

Belilena Cave

Belilena is a well known large cave in Sri Lanka, located 8 km (5.0 mi) from the town of Kitulgala. Evidence of prehistoric human presence as early as 32,000 years ago was recorded at the site. The skeletal remains of ten individuals were discovered by Paul E. P. Deraniyagala, who attributed them to Balangoda Man (Homo sapiens balangodensis). Balangoda Man is assumed to have lived as early as 32,000 years ago and occupied high altitude territories of up to 2,000 ft (609.6 m) above sea level.

Belilena cave

Wavulpone Cave

Situated on the Buluthota – Rakwana road roughly north of Embilipitiya is another famous cave in which approximately 250,000 bats inhabit the cave, the largest known congregation of bats in Sri Lanka, hence the name “Wavulpone” meaning dwelling of Bats.

Wavulpone cave

Mahalenama Cave

Lies between Kumana & Lahugala-Kithulana National parks this ancient Buddhist monastery is also believed to be the place where according to preserved Vedda legend for us a recollection of a lost race known as the Nittevo. There has been much controversy as to the identity of this folk. Some hold that the Nittevo are a lost tribe of Negritoes while others believe them to have been some kind of ape-man. Yet others identify them with an extinct species of bear known as rahu valaha.

The Nittevo are said to have been a dwarfish race of men who lived in the Mahalenama region now within the Yala East Intermediate Zone and the Tamankaduva area. These folk are believed to have been exterminated by the Veddas about 250 years ago.

Mahalenama Cave

Sri Pada Tours

The mountain is located in the southern reaches of the Central Highlands in the Ratnapura District and Nuwara Eliya district of the Sabaragamuwa Province and Central Province —lying about 40 km northeast of the city of Ratnapura and 32 km southwest of the city of Hatton. The surrounding region is largely forested hills, with no mountain of comparable size nearby. The region along the mountain is a wildlife reserve, housing many species varying from elephants to leopards, and including many endemic species.

Sri Pada is important as a watershed. The districts to the south and the east of Sri Pada yield precious stones—emeralds, rubies and sapphires, for which the island has been famous, and which earned for its ancient name of Ratnadvipa

Begin from the Base

The city of Hatton can be reached by Highland Railway line as well as by the main motor roads, the cities of Ratnapura and Kuruwita can be reached only by main motor roads.

Access to the Sri Pada is possible by 6 trails: Hatton-Nallathanni; Ratnapura-Palabaddala; Kuruwita-Erathna; Murraywatte; Mookuwatte; Malimboda.

The most popular routes are the Hatton-Nallathanni & Ratnapura-Palabaddala due to the picturesque views and postcard worthy scenery that can be encountered along them.

Reaching the Peak

Once you reach a final node (Nallanthanni or Palabaddala or Erathna) there begins the difficult journey through the jungle on foot. Most of the pilgrims use the Hatton route as the journey can be reduced by more than five kilometers even though the slope of this route is much greater than the others.

The Season and Timing

The pilgrims season to Sri Pada traditionally starts on the full moon of December and ends on the full moon of April. During the first half of the season the night ascent isn’t crowded. However during the latter half of the season, more people attempt the climb with each passing day

Approaching to Sri Pada via Kuruwita-Erathna route to Sri Pada: (12km) and Hatton – Maskeliya route to Sri Pada: (12km)

Sri Pada

Mimure

Meemure is a village in Sri Lanka with a population of about 400.It is located near the border between Kandy District and Matale District in the Knuckles Mountain Range. Meemure is one of the most remote villages in Sri Lanka with the only access via a 14 km (8.7 mi) trail from the town of Loolwatte.There is no cellular service available in the village, but a CDMA telephone service is available. There is no direct mail delivery to the village; a villager journeys each day to Thapal Junction to exchange incoming and outgoing postal mail with a postman.

Route

Meemure is approximately a 7 hour drive from Colombo, in an off road vehicle. Here is how you can go there; 

First go to Kandy city which is 116 km away from Colombo. 

Then Kandy-Mahiyangana Road (A26) towards to Mahiyangana. 

Turn to Left from Hunnasgiriya Junction which is 35 km away from Kandy. 

Then go towards the Loolwatte Village which is 15 km away from Hunnasgiriya Junction. 

Then from Loolwatte it is about another 15 km to the Meemure Village.you can use village public van it is a marvelous experience to have,to that you should be at Hunnasgiriya junction around 11 clock. Hiring vehicles from Hunnasgiriya would be more expensive than village vehicle.

The nearest Police station is Teldeniya Police. On your way to Meemure from Colombo you can see many natural sceneries; among them Hulu Ganga (River), Victoria Reservoir, Teldeniya New Town (Teldeniya was flooded in filling the Reservoir behind the Victoria Dam, Mahaweli Project), Dothalugala Forest and Botanical Garden, Mini Worlds End, Coberts Gap (Attala Mottuwa) a place where lot of wind blowing to the other side, Meemure and Lakegala Mountain where, according to legend, King Rawana lifted his Air Plane called Dhadu Monara.

Meemure