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THINGS
TO
DO
I
WHAT
TO
SEE
I
WHERE
TO
GO |
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Sun
&
Sand
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Negombo
Distance
from
Colombo
35
km
A
characteristic
fishing
town
north
of
Colombo,
Negombo
is a
mere
6 km
drive
from
the
international
airport.
Set
amidst
lush
groves
of
coconut
palms,
it
breathes
the
spirit
of
the
sea.
Negombo
is a
gourmet’s
paradise
with
sea
food
in
plenty.
Old-world
fishing
craft,
like
the
outrigger
canoe
and
the
catamaran,
bring
seer,
skipjack,
herring,
mullet,
pomfret
and
amber
jack,
while
lobster
and
prawn
are
caught
in
the
lagoon. |
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Mount
Lavinia
Distance
from
Colombo
12
km
Mount
Lavinia
is
an
ideal
place
to
relax
and
enjoy
the
sea.
The
beach
is
crowded
on
Sundays
and
public
holidays
with
large
crowds
gathered
to
participate
in
many
beach
sports
activities
such
as
swimming,
surfing
etc.
The
Governor's
House
built
in
1805
by
Sir
Thomas
Maitland
,
now
forms
part
of
the
famous
Mount
Lavinia
Hotel. |
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Kalutara
Distance
from
Colombo
42km
An
important
spice-trading
centre
controlled
at
various
times
by
the
Portuguese,
Dutch
and
the
British.
Today,
it
has
a
reputation
for
fine
basket
ware
(visit
basket
hall)
and
also
for
the
best
mangosteens(fruits)
on
the
island.
Passing
Kalutara
South
of
the
Kalu
Ganga
Bridge
is
the
Gangatilleke
Vihara,
which
has
a
hollow
dagoba
(Buddhist
shrine)
with
an
interesting
painted
terior.
By
the
roadside
there’s
a
small
shrine
and
a
bodhi
tree
where
drivers
often
stop
to
make
offerings
to
ensure
a
safe
journey.
Wadduwa
is
8km
north
of
Kalutara. |
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Beruwela
Distance
from
Colombo
55
km
South
of
Colombo,
Beruwela
marks
the
beginning
of a
130
km-stretch
of
beaches,
where
resort
development
has
made
immense
strides
in
recent
years.
Good
bathing
in
the
bay
all
year
round.
Holiday-makers
should
not
miss
bathing
in
the
bay. |
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Bentota
Distance
from
Colombo
62
km
Bentota
Resort
complex
is a
romantic
rendezvous
of
river
and
sea
with
several
hotels,
railway
station,
post
office,
shopping
arcade,
cafeteria
and
an
open-air
theatre
showing
folk
and
mask-dancing
with
clusters
of
palms
overlooking
everything. |
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Hikkaduwa
Distance
from
Colombo
206
km
The
first
area
to
be
developed
for
Tourism,
this
is
still
one
of
the
most
popular
of
all
beach
resorts.
Hikkaduwa
is
famous
for
its
coral
and
sub-tropical
fish.
The
reef,
which
runs
parallel
to
the
shore
is
only
a
few
metres
below
the
water,
can
be
investigated
with
snorkel
and
flippers,
or
in a
glass-bottom
boat.
There
are
several
wrecks
in
the
area
which
offer
interesting
dives.
Scuba
equipment
and
the
services
of
licensed
instructors
are
on
hire
from
PADI
centers.
A
little
further
down
the
coast,
there’s
good
surf
for
board
or
body-surfing.
Generally,
you
can
find
a
community
of
international
surfers
in
and
around
Hikkaduwa. |
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Galle
Distance
from
Colombo
116
km
South
of
Colombo,
Galle
is
the
most
important
Southern
town.
It
has
an
old
world
charm.
Believed
to
be
the
“Tarshish
of
the
Bible”,
its
natural
harbour
was
a
famous
fort
in
days
gone
by.
Galle
is
famous
for
its
Dutch
Fort,
lace-making,
ebony
carving
and
gem
polishing. |
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Arugam
Bay
Distance
from
Colombo
116
km
Arugam
Bay
is a
fishing
village
3km
south
of
the
small
town
of
Pottuvil
at
the
remote
southern
end
of
the
east
coast.
It
probably
has
the
best
surf
in
Sri
Lanka,
which
forms
near
a
low
promontory
a
little
further
south,
and
because
of
this
it
has
developed
into
a
hang-out
for
low-budget
travelers.
There’s
a
wide,
sweeping
beach
in
front
of
the
village
itself
which
is
good
for
swimming
and
south
of
the
surf
promontory
a
long,
deserted
beach
leads
down
to
‘Crocodile
Rock’,
from
where
wild
elephants
can
quite
often
be
seen.
The
best
period
for
surfing
is
between
April
and
September
and
during
this
season
the
number
of
travelers
–
most
of
whom
are
diehard
surfers
–
visiting
the
area
increases.
When
the
season
ends
the
place
empties
and
some
guesthouses
and
restaurants
shut
up
shop,
but
this
may
be
just
what
you’re
after. |
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Lure
of
Jungles
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Yala
National
Park
Distance
from
Colombo
309
km
Yala
is
approximately
1,259
sq.km
in
extent
and
is
located
in
the
south
eastern
corner
of
the
island.
Its
northern
boundaries
border
the
Lahugala
Elephant
Sanctuary
and
it
has
the
added
bonus
of
scenic
ocean
frontage.
The
terrain
is a
varied
course
of
flat
plains
altering
with
rocky
outcrops.
The
vegetation
ranges
from
open
parklands
to
dense
jungle.
Water
holes,
small
lakes,
lagoons
and
streams
provide
water
for
the
animals
and
birds.
The
specialty
here
is
the
large
numbers
of
elephants. |
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Uda
Walawe
National
Park
Distance
from
Colombo
170
km
The
Uda
Walawe
National
Park
is
approximately
30,821
hectares
in
extent.
This
park
lies
within
the
Ratnapura
and
Monaragala
Districts
and
acts
as
the
catchment
to
the
Uda
Walawe
Reservoir,
and
is
located
in
the
dry
zone.
It
comprises
grasslands,
thorn
scrubs,
and
many
valuable
species
of
trees. |
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Horton
Plains
Distance
from
Colombo
200
km
Horton
Plains
National
Park
is
the
only
national
park
situated
in
the
hill
country.
It
falls
within
the
Nuwara
Eliya
District.
The
panoramic
beauty
of
the
hill
county
is
witnessed
within
the
park.
Endemic
slender
Loris
and
purple
monkeys
are
among
the
animal
species
that
can
be
seen. |
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Elephant
Orphanage
The
Pinnawela
Elephant
Orphanage,
established
in
1975,
commenced
with
seven
orphans.
Today
some
of
these
orphans
enjoy
the
fortune
of
seeing
their
grandchildren
born
in
the
same
location.
The
original
objective
of
establishing
the
orphanage
inclined
more
towards
tourism,
but
is
soon
became
a
conservation
and
educational
centre.
With
the
help
of
local
and
foreign
elephant
experts,
Pinnawela
started
a
scientific
captive-breeding
programme
for
elephants.
The
free
movement
of
the
herd
enhanced
the
chances
for
respective
individuals
of
both
sexes
to
get
together
and
mate.
The
nearby
river
played
a
dominant
role
in
this
regard,
and
in
1984,
the
first
baby
elephant
of
Pinnawela
was
born.
The
success
story
of
Pinnawela
has
drawn
the
attention
of
scientists
from
all
over
the
world.
A
considerable
number
of
books
and
research
articles
on
Pinnawela
have
been
published
in
several
languages.
The
members
of
the
Pinnawela
herd
have
been
filmed,
videoed
and
photographed
thousands
of
times
by
professionals,
and
millions
of
times
by
amateurs.
The
message
of
conservation
from
Pinnawela
has
been
passed
on
to
thousands,
if
not
millions
of
people,
after
their
visit
to
the
orphanage. |
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Aquatic
Life
With
cascading
waterfalls
and
as
many
as
103
rivers,
all
major
groups
of
vertebrates
can
be
found
in
Sri
Lanka.
Of
these,
the
highest
endemic
species
are
found
in
the
amphibian
and
reptile
group.
Most
of
the
107
species
of
fish
are
found
in
marsh
and
river
dwelling.The
39
endemic
species
–
the
Carplet
group
–
being
restricted
to
the
perennial
streams
of
the
wet
zone.
The
British
introduced
trout
into
the
clear,
cold
streams
of
Horton
Plains.
Of
the
54
species
of
amphibians,
33
are
endemic
to
the
island.
According
to
ongoing
research,
the
largest
number
of
endemic
amphibian
fauna
in
the
world
may
soon
be
found
in
Sri
Lanka.
One
endemic
genus,
the
Nannophyrus,
with
three
species,
is
common
in
the
wet
zone
living
on
rock
ledges,
covered
by a
continuous
trickle
of
water,
and
sharing
the
same
habitat
with
tadpoles.
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Ecological
Sites
' 'A
land
like
no
other,'
is
an
apt
intro
to
this
resplendant
isle
of
Sri
Lanka
which
has
been
ranked
among
the
world's
25
bio-diversity
hot
spots.
From
the
pristine
forests,
verdant
hills,
the
unique
fauna
and
flora,
the
spectacular
wildlife
and
many
more
add
to
its
wonder.
The
tropical
climate
of
the
island
aided
by
the
two
monsoon
seasons
of
Yala
( to
the
southwestern
part
of
the
country
from
May
to
August
and
the
dry
season
from
December
to
March))
and
the
Maha
(afects
the
north
and
east
coasts
from
October
to
january
and
the
dry
season
from
May
to
September)
is
largely
responsible
for
unique
and
natural
wealth
of
its
ecological
sites.Sri
Lanka
is
suited
to
cater
to
each
individual
interested
in
the
mammothery
ecological
splendour
from
the
red
earth
and
scrub
forest
of
the
dry
zone,
to
the
richness
of
the
tropical
rainforest;
from
the
coastal
mangroves
alive
with
bird
life
to
the
breathtaking
beauty
of
the
hill
country,
replete
with
spectacular
waterfalls
and
mist
drenched
montane
forest.
Add
to
this
over
2500
years
of
recorded
history,
a
mosaic
of
diverse
and
potent
cultures
and
a
rich
archaeological
heritage
and
one
has
the
ideal
ingredients
for
enlightening
ecological
travel.
Those
mentioned
below
are
a
mere
drop
in
the
ocean
compared
to
the
large
number
of
ecological
sites
which
are
strewn
all
across
the
island.
The
Knuckles
Mountain
Range
has
a
rare
species
of
woody
plants,
endemic
birds,
fish,
butterflies
and
reptiles.
The
Sinharaja
forest
complex
has
a
large
number
of
diversified
species
from
the
unique
to
the
threatened.
In
this
forect
endemism
in
some
plant
families
exceeds
90%.
,
Peak
Wilderness,
Horton
Plains
are
relegated
forest
reserves
with
an
abundance
of
waterfalls,
fauna,
flora,
birds,
wildlife
and
many
more.
The
national
parks
consists
of
Yala,
Uda
Walawe,
Wasgamuwa,
Bundala
Udawattakale,Minneriya,
Kumana,
Gal
Oya,
Wilpattu....
Bandarawela,
Belihul-Oya,
Ella
and
lots
more.
The
ecological
sites
involving
marine
life
coul
be
marked
from
Kalpitiya
in
the
north
west
to
Arugam
Bay
in
the
east
coast.
Travel
agents
and
tour
operators
alike
organize
special
packages
ranging
tailor
made
packages
to
individual
packages
to
visit
these
sites.
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History
of
Sri
Lanka
Sri
Lanka
is a
place
where
history
seems
to
fade
into
the
mist
of
legend.
Is
not
Adam’s
Peak
said
to
be
the
very
place
where
Adam
set
foot
on
earth,
having
been
sent
out
of
heaven?
Isn’t
that
his
footprint
squarely
on
top
of
the
mountain
to
prove
it?
Or
is
it
the
Buddha’s
footprint
on
Sri
Pada?
And
isn’t
Adam’s
Bridge
(the
chain
of
islands
linking
Sri
Lanka
to
India)
the
very
series
of
stepping
stones
Rama,
aided
by
his
faithful
ally,
the
monkey
god
Hanuman,
stepped
across
in
his
mission
to
rescue
Sita
from
the
clutches
of
the
Rawana,King
of
Lanka,
in
the
epic
Ramayana?
The
first
entries
in
the
Mahavamsa
– or
“Great
History”
–
date
back
to
543BC,
which
coincides
with
the
arrival
of
Prince
Vijaya
in
Sri
Lanka.
Some
300
years
later,
commenced
the
early
Anuradhapura
Period,
with
King
Devanampiya
Tissa
as
the
first
ruler.
It
was
in
this
period
that
a
sapling
of
the
sacred
Bo
Tree,
under
which
the
Lord
Buddha
attained
enlightenment,
was
brought
to
Sri
Lanka.
The
late
Anuradhapura
Period,
which
began
in
the
year
459,
saw
the
reign
of
King
Kasyapa,
and
the
construction
of
Sigiriya.
The
Polonnaruwa
period,
witnessed
the
transfer
of
the
capital
from
Anuradhapura
to
Polonnaruwa
in
1073.
Famed
explorer,
Marco
Polo,
arrived
in
Sri
Lanka
in
the
period
between
1254
and
1324,
and,
in
1505,
the
Portuguese
landed,
and
occupied
the
island’s
coastal
regions.
The
Portuguese
Period
At
this
time
Sri
Lanka
had
three
main
kingdoms
–
the
Kingdom
of
Jaffna
in
the
north,
the
Kingdom
of
Kandy
in
the
central
highlands
and
Kotte,
the
most
powerful,
in
the
south-west.
In
1505
the
Portuguese,
under
Lorennso
de
Almeida
established
friendly
relations
with
the
king
of
Kotte
and
gained,
for
Portugal,
a
monopoly
in
the
spice
and
cinnamon
trade,
which
soon
became
of
enormous
importance
in
Europe.
Attempts
by
Kotte
to
utilize
the
strength
and
protection
of
the
Portuguese
only
resulted
in
Portugal
taking
over
and
ruling
not
only
their
regions,
but
the
rest
of
the
island,
apart
form
the
central
highlands
around
Kandy.
Because
the
highlands
were
remote
and
inaccessible,
the
kings
of
Kandy
were
always
able
to
defeat
the
attempts
by
the
Portuguese
to
annex
them,
and
on a
number
of
occasions
drove
the
Portuguese
right
back
down
to
the
coast.
The
Dutch
Period
Attempts
by
Kandy
to
enlist
Dutch
help
in
expelling
the
Portuguese
only
resulted
in
the
substitution
of
one
European
power
for
another.
By
1658,
153
years
after
the
first
Portuguese
contact,
the
Dutch
took
control
over
the
costal
areas
of
the
Island.
During
their
140-year-rule
the
Dutch,
like
Portuguese,
were
involved
in
repeated
unsuccessful
attempts
to
bring
Kandy
under
their
control.
The
Dutch
were
much
more
interested
in
trade
and
profits
than
the
Portuguese,
who
spent
a
lot
of
efforts
spreading
their
religion
and
extending
their
physical
control.
The
British
Period
The
French
revolution
resulted
in a
major
shake-up
among
the
European
powers
and
in
1796
the
Dutch
were
easily
supplanted
by
the
British,
who
in
1815
also
won
the
control
of
the
kingdom
of
Kandy,
becoming
the
first
European
power
to
rule
the
whole
island.
But
in
1802,
Sri
Lanka
became
a
Crown
Colony
and
in
1818
a
unified
administration
for
the
island
was
set
up.
Soon
the
country
was
dotted
with
coffee,
cinnamon
and
coconut
plantations
and
a
network
of
roads
and
railways
were
built
to
handle
this
new
economic
activity.
English
became
the
official
language,
and
is
still
widely
spoken.
Coffee
was
the
main
crop
and
the
backbone
of
the
colonial
economy,
but
the
occurence
of a
leaf
blight
virtually
wiped
it
out
in
the
1870s
and
the
plantations
quickly
switched
over
to
tea
or
rubber.
Today
Sri
Lanka
is
the
world’s
second
largest
tea
exporter.
The
British
were
unable
to
persuade
the
Sinhalese
to
work
cheaply
and
willingly
on
the
plantations,
so
they
imported
large
number
of
South
Indian
labourers
from
South
India.
Sinhalese
peasants
in
the
hill
country
lost
land
to
the
estates.
Independence
Between
WW I
and
WW
II,
political
stirrings
started
to
push
Sri
Lanka
towards
eventual
independence
from
Britain
–
but
in a
considerably
more
peaceful
and
low-key
manner
than
in
India.
At
the
end
of
WW
II
it
was
evident
that
independence
would
come
very
soon,
in
the
wake
of
independence
for
Sri
Lanka’s
neighbour.
In
February
1948
Sri
Lanka,
or
Ceylon
as
it
was
still
known,
became
an
independent
member
of
the
British
Commonwealth. |
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Ancient
Cities
Dalada
Maligawa
Kandy
’s
main
attraction
is
the
Dalada
Maligawa,
the
Temple
of
the
Sacred
Tooth
Relic
of
the
Buddha,
the
founder
of
Buddhism.
Brought
to
Sri
Lanka
in
the
4th
c.
A.D.,
the
sacred
relic
has
ever
since
been
the
symbol
of
sovereignty
for
its
rulers,
it
has
been
enshrined
in
great
splendour
from
time
immemorial.
Kandy’s
Dalada
Maligawa
is a
magnificent
shrine,
with
decorative
walls,
moat,
turrets,a
golden
roof
and
fine
wood-work
and
its
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