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Colombo
Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and has a fascination of its own. Nearly every visitor to Sri Lanka begins or ends his stay in Colombo. More than anywhere else in the country it's a city where the old and new co-exist. There are high rise complexes & colonial mansions, supermarkets & street bazaars, flashy western fashions & traditional sarongs, speedy sports cars & one-man rickshaws. Most of the remnants found in Colombo today is the legacy of the British, Dutch & Portuguese. Horse racing was a regular activity on the seaside Galle Face Green. Today, most of the hotels are gathered around this same Green, now minus the horses.
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Galle
The port town of Galle is Sri Lanka's fourth biggest town with 80,000 people. In 1505, a Portuguese fleet bound for Maldives blew off course, forcing them to take shelter in the Galle Harbour. The events which followed, drastically changed the course of Sri Lankan history. In 1598, the Portuguese built a small fort that was later extended. However, when the Dutch took over in 1640, they destroyed all traces of Portuguese presence. In 1663, the Dutch built the 36-hectare Fort, which is now a World Heritage Site.
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Matara
It is a lively town with a historic background. Matara has a Dutch Fort called the Star Fort and an 18th century Dutch rampart that was built to protect the Dutch East Trading Company's administrative buildings. This rampart now effectively acts as a boundary to the Old Matara, which is quiet and picturesque.
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Ratnapura
'The city of gems' is 101 km (63 miles) from Colombo. It is situated in the low country among tea and rubber estates and paddy fields. The gem museum and the gem mines are a special attraction here. Precious and semi-precious stones found here include Alexandrite, Amethysts, Aquamarines, Blue Sapphires, Cat's Eyes, Crystals, Garnets, Moonstones, Rubies, Star Sapphires, Topaz, Zircons.
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Kandy
Kandy - the royal city, nestling amidst the mid-country hills was the last seat of the Sinhalese King, Sri Wickremarajasinghe. Every visit to Sri Lanka should include its second largest city, Kandy; the Sinhalese cultural and spiritual centre - made even more appealing by its comfortable climate. It is the home of the sacred temple in which is enshrined the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Kandy is also famous for its art and crafts and ancient dance forms. Visit the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya on the banks of the Sri Lanka's longest river. It's biggest attraction is the annual Kandy Esala Perahera (an elaborate religious procession to honour the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha), a magnificent elephant procession - which fills the town to bursting point with tourists from all over the world. Thousands of dancers and more than 100 elephants make it one of the highlights of the Sri Lankan year. The three 14th century temples of great importance are a short distance from Peradeniya, namely; Gadaladeniya Vihara, Lankathilaka Vihara & Embekke.
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Pinnawela
Pinnawela is situated 52 km away from Colombo. It is an orphanage for baby elephants created by the Department of National Zoological Gardens. The orphanage was established to feed, nurse and house young elephants, abandoned by their mothers. Other inmates are those displaced from their natural environs by development projects or those found wounded. It has been recorded that a few baby elephants have been bred here in captivity.
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Nuwara Eliya
The British rulers modeled Nuwara Eliya on an English Village in the early 19th century, with homes and buildings in styles from Georgian to Queen Anne. It is based 1890 meters (6199 ft) above sea level. Cool, rugged and picturesque, it is set in the heart of the tea country. Throughout the surroundings, you will come across beautiful waterfalls cascading hundreds of feet down mountainsides. One of the biggest attractions in Nuwara Eliya is the 18-hole golf course, one of Asia's finest. A few miles from Nuwara Eliya is a prominent peak, Hakgala. At its foot lies the "Hakgala Botanical Gardens". The gardens are smaller and less exotic than those at Peradeniya, but at 5600 feet elevation the species of flora are quite different. The sheer rock of Hakgala ("Jaw Rock"), which rises 1500 feet straight up above the gardens, is said to have been carried here from Himalayas in the jaws of Hanuman, the mythical monkey General who helped Prince Rama rescue Princess Sita from the demon king Ravana in the Ramayana epic.
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Dambulla
Dating back to the 1st Century BC, this is the most impressive cave temple in Sri Lanka. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. In 1938 the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.
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Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th Century AD. In its time, a 6 km (3 ½ mile) rampart protected the city. Even during the Anuradhapura era, this was an important city because it strategically commanded all the crossings over the Mahaveli River and acted as a buffer against the invading armies.
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Sigiriya
Sigiriya was created by King Kasyapa who reigned between 477-495 AD. The summit of this almost inaccessible rock is 180 m (600 ft) above the surrounding jungle and was the setting for a courtly paradise of elegant pavilions amid gardens and pools. The rock was transformed into a recumbent lion by the addition of a brick-built head and foreparts of which only the paws remain. The rock's natural defences were augmented by broad moats and stone perimeter walls. In the event of an enemy approach, the outer moat was built so as to flood the entire area between the two moats.
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Mihintale
Dating back to 247 BC, this is a monastic city of caves, temples and ruins where Buddhism first took a hold on the Island. The then ruling King Devanampiyatissa, was a pen pal of Emperor Asoka of India. The Emperor sent his son, Arahat Mihindu Thera (a Buddhist Priest), to impart the Buddhist philosophy to his friend in Sri Lanka.
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Ahungalle
A few miles north of the southern resort of Hikkaduwa, the traditional fishing village of Ahungalle is a small resort situated on the main coastal road. Not far away the fishing village of Kosgoda, it is worth a visit for its turtle hatchery, established in 1981 to protect the island's turtles from extinction. As many as 20,000 eggs can be laid on the beach in a fortnight, but as they are easy prey for predators they are brought to the hatchery and the young turtles are released when they are two or three days old. Another interesting outing is a visit to Ambalangoda, famous for the traditional, garishly-painted dance masks which are made here in profusion. Lovers of bird and wildlife would also enjoy a riverboat safari on the mangrove swamp rivers in the area.
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Hambantota
Comprising of scrub jungle bordering the sea, the park stretches along the coast east of Hambantota. You can explore our wildlife sanctuary parks in Bundala, Yala, Udawalawe, Sinharaja, Udawattekele and Wasgamuwa. A large variety of mammals, reptiles and birds make up the rich wildlife of Sri Lanka. The beach is an important nesting site for turtles. Wildlife includes elephants, spotted deer, grey langur, jackal, water monitor, crocodiles, the olive ridley and leatherback turtles, the hawksbill and green turtles. Among the 150 species of birds found here are the Flamingo, Brown-capped Babbler, Ceylon Junglefowl, Cattle Egret, Median Egret, Large Egret, Openbill, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Black-winged Stilt, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, etc. Migrants include Asiatic Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lesser Sand, Large Sand Plover, Kentish Plover, Marsh Sandpiper, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, etc.
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Kataragama
This is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka for Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. Kataragama is a huge complex containing buildings representing all three religions.
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Beach Resorts

Kalutara
Renowned for its mangosteens and basketwear, Kalutara got its name from 'Kalu Ganga' or 'Black River' and was once a busy spice port. As you cross the bridge you see the Buddhist temple, Gangatilaka Vehera built in the 1960s. It is the only hollow dagaba in the world and the interior painting is fascinating.
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Bentota
The Bentota seas are ideal for snorkelling, sailing, wind surfing, water skiing and deep-sea fishing. This area is populated with a large number of hotels and guesthouses along the coast.
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Hikkaduwa
The Hikkaduwa surfing and diving scene is popular with the tourists. There are also a large number of beach restaurants, bars and shops.
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Trincomalee
It is one of the largest and best-sheltered harbours in the world located on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. Its warm, clear water and tranquil beach make for solitude and breathtaking scenery. A special attraction is the natural hot springs.
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Unawatuna
Unawatuna is a small beach resort overlooking the Unawatuna Bay. It has golden beaches, clear calm waters and an offshore reef ideal for younger tourists who frequent its beach front cafes and guest houses.
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Negombo
Negombo is famous for its lagoon, cinnamon and fishing. It is a bustling town where many interesting historical events took place. Its beach however, does not boast the same fineness as the other Sri Lankan beaches. Nevertheless, this is a fascinating town for exploration.
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Anuradhapura
Located in the North-Central part of the Island, Anuradhapura was originally founded by a King's minister named Anuradha in 500 BC. Anuradhapura is acclaimed as the greatest monastic city of the ancient world and has served as the royal capital of 113 kings. In 1073, Anuradhapura was fought over and abandoned when the capital was moved to Polonnaruwa. Explorers re-discovered the crumbling ruins in the 19th Century and an effort to restore and re-build this city has since begun. It is an important historical and archaeological site and continues to attract both Sri Lankan and foreign visitors as well as pilgrims.
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Places to see in Anuradhapura

Sri Maha Bodhi (the sacred Bo Tree) was brought to Sri Lanka as a sapling and planted in Anuradhapura. It is believed to be a sapling of the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhi Gaya in India. The tree is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world.
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Brazen Palace (Lovamahapaya) was a dwelling for the Buddhist monks built by King Dutugamunu over 2000 years ago. From the once ten-storeyed, thousand-roomed building, only 1,600 stone columns remain.
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Ruvanveliseya (Great Stupa) was built by King Dutugamunu in the 2nd Century BC. It is a dagaba consisting of a dome top with a pinnacle, standing on a square base. Its shape was inspired by a water bubble floating on water. Within the dome is a chamber containing sacred relics of the Buddha.
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Thuparamaya is the oldest dagaba (stupa) on the island and is believed to enshrine the right collarbone of Lord Buddha. It was built in the 3rd Century BC by King Devanampiyatissa.
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Jetavanaramaya is the largest stupa in Sri Lanka with a 113 m (367 ft) base. It raises 122 m (400 ft) in height and its perimeter walls enclose 8 acres. It is the 2nd largest monument in the world - 2nd only to the Pyramids of Egypt. It was built in the 3rd Century AD.
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Dalada Maligawa (Tooth Relic Temple) first housed the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha when it was brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD.
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Nakha Vihara is a square dagaba decorated with stucco figures.
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Samadhi Buddha - this statue depicts the Buddha in a state of Samadhi or deep meditation.
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Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds) are two impressive pools used by the ancient monks for bathing.
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King Mahasen's Palace - Built in the 3rd Century, all that remains now of this palace are the remnants of a few standing pillars. However, the semi-circular doorstep elaborately adorned with symbolic carvings is a testament to the grandeur of the structure that must have once stood there.
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Ratnaprasada (Gem Palace) is the preaching hall of a Buddhist monastery.
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Lankarama is a stupa belonging to the Abhayagiri Vihara complex built in the 1st Century.
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Anuradhapura Museum occupies a British colonial building and contains unique finds from Anuradhapura.
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Folk Museum contains a collection of historical finds depicting the rural life in the North Central Province.
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Mirisaweti Dagaba is a Buddhist shrine built by King Dutugamunu between 161 - 158 BC. To the north of it you will find a refectory with a food trough. This holds enough for 1,000 individual servings.
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Basawakkulama - it is a tank built around the 4th Century BC identified with King Pandukabhaya.
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Tissa Wewa (lake) built during the 2nd Century BC covers 65 hectares (160 acres). The water travels 85 km (54 miles) from the Kala Wewa, feeding 70 tanks on its way. The cool shore of the tank is ideal to watch the sunset.
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Nuwara Wewa is the largest tank in Anuradhapura created in the 2nd century AD. It is 7 km (4 ½ miles) across and 12 m (40 ft) deep.
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Royal Pleasure Gardens also known as the 'Park of the Goldfish" covered 160 hectares (400 acres). A network of pipes channelled water all over the gardens.
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Isurumuniya Rock Temple - dating from the 3rd century BC is well known for its rock carvings.
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Isurumuniya Lovers is a famous sculpture carved in the 6th century AD in the Indian Gupta style.
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Vessagiriya Ruins and Caves - Consists of three large outcrops of rocks and is said to have housed 500 members of the vaisya caste, a group ordained by Mahinda.
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