Wherever you go, you will find the traditional welcome -"Ayubowan"- 
may you live long

VISIT ANCIENT CITIES


Anuradhapura
District: Anuradhapura  Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny  Dist. from Colombo: 206 km 
Sri Lanka's first capital, founded in the 5th century B.C. is situated 206 km. from Colombo. Attractions worth seeing are:- The Sacred Bo Tree, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanaramaya, Brazen Palace, Thuparama Dagaba, Samadhi Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna and Mirisavati Dagaba. 

Mihintale
District: Anuradhapura  Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny  Dist. from Colombo: 217 km 
Situated 11 km. east of Anuradhapura is Mihintale, regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The rock is dotted with shrines and rock dwellings. A grand stairway of 1840 steps made of granite slabs, 5 metres wide, leads to the summit with its splendid view of the surrounding countryside. 

Polonaruwa
District: Polonnaruwa  Weather: Warm & Sunny  Dist. from Colo: 216 km 
The largest of the man made reservoirs, the huge Parakrama Samudra, is larger in size than the Colombo harbour. See also the ruins of the King's Council Chamber, the Royal Citadel, the Kumara Pokuna, Royal Pavilion, the Vatadage Relic House lavished with moonstones, guardstones and sculptured railing, Kiri Vehera - the best preserved of all Sri Lanka's un-restored dagabas; Gal Vihare - the most impresive sculptures are the colossal Buddha images carved on the face of a granite boulder. The recumbent Buddha measures 14 metres and the standing figure is 7 metres in height. (see some pictures & more)

Sigiriya
District: Matale  Weather: Warm & Sunny  Dist. from Colombo: 169 km 
This rock fortress was built by king Kasyapa in the 5th century A.D. and was a royal citadel for more than 18 years. In a sheltered pocket, approached by a spiral stairway, are the famous frescoes. The summit of the rock, with an area of nearly one hectare was the site of the palace, the outer wall of which was built on the very brink of the precipice. The UNESCO - sponsored Central Cultural Fund has restored Sigiriya's 5th century Water Gardens to their former glory. 

Dabulla
District: Matale  Weather: Warm & Sunny  Dist. from Co: 148 km 
Like Sigiriya, Dambulla is a vast isolated rock mass and it was here that King Valagam Bahu took refuge in the 1st century B.C. He later turned the caves into a rock temple. Some of the frescoes are over 2,000 years old and there is a colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the living rock, some 14 metre long

Yapahuwa
District:  Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny  Dist. from Colombo: 145 km 
An ancient fortress and capital built in the year 1301, approximately 145 km. from Colombo, Yapahuwa is a rock rising to a height of 90 metres. Many traces of the ancient battle defences can still be seen, while an ornamental stairway remains its biggest showpiece. 

Matale
District: Matale  Typical Weather: Cool  Dist. from Colombo: 142 km 
Matale is [142 Km] From Colombo and [26 Km] from Kandy on the way to the ancient city Dambulla. Aluvihara, is an ancient rock temple of great significance in the history of Buddhism. Buddhist scriptures were first committed to writing on palm leaf manuscripts in the 2nd century B.C. Icons and frescoes depicting the stories of the Buddha's previous births are found on the walls of the rock caves of the temple.