Sigiriya
Soaring above the surrounding plains to towering heights, the cloud-hugging rock of Sigiriya is regarded by many as one of the wonders of the world.

The summit of this almost inaccessible rock was the the unlikely setting for a courtly paradise of elegant pavilions, amid gardens and pools, all perched 180 metres (600ft) above the surrounding jungle. The rock was transformed into an immense recumbent lion by the addition of a brick-built head and foreparts of which only the artfully sculptured paws remain. The impact of the Lion Rock, as it is called, must have been awesome, since even its remnants beggar belief. Executed daringly, on a stupendous scale, it prompts one to marvel at the creative vision that was behind its construction.

The creator of Sigiriya was perhaps the most interesting monarch Sri lanka has produced - the brave, murderous and brilliant Kassapa who reigned between AD 477 - 495. The son of king Dhatusena, Kassapa was born to a non-royal consort. Knowing that his half-brother Moggallana, younger but of royal blood, would succed him, he seized the throne, imprisoned Dhatusena, and later killed him for not disclosing the whereabouts of his treasures. (particide is considered to be one of the five great sins according to Buddhism) Moggallana fled to India intending to return with an army.

Seven years after his ascent to the throne, Kassapa moved into his amazing palace at Sigiriya, built for defence in preparation for the revenge attack. The rock's natural defences were augmented by some ingenious strategies. Broad moats and found elsewhere in Sri Lanka. In the event of an enemy approach, the outer moat was built ao as to flood the entire area between the two moats. A boulder -catapult still stands on the summit waiting to be unleashed upon an awake, the sentry points on the rock summit were strategically placed so that a momentary lapse of attention would send the drowsy guard plunging to his death.

One fateful day AD 495, 18 years after seizing power, Kassapa descended to confront returning Moggallana and his army, quite a distance away from the citadel. At the height of battle, by a stroke of misfortune, Kassapa's elephant turned aside sensing a hidden swamp. Fearing that Kassapa was retreating his army backed away, leaving him stranded. Courageous as he drew his sword and beheaded himself, leaving no room for capture by his enemies.

Sigiriya was not just the fortress of a paranoid tyrant, it was the palace of a ruler who wanted to assert his right to kingship with symbols, and to show through great works that he was the rightful monarch. He only had a short reign but his achievements have lasted 15 centuries.