Transcript Cities of Srilanka :- Although Sri Lanka is a beautiful

Cities of Srilanka :- Although Sri Lanka is a beautiful Island Country and lots to see like
Colombo, The West Coast-Puttalm, Negombo, Kalutra & Wadduwa, Beruwels & Morgelle,
Bentota etc, The SouthCost-Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama, Matara, Hambantota, Kirinda,
Kataragam, The Hill Country-Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Badulla, Wellawata etc.
Colombo
Sri Lanka's capital upto recent times, Colombo, is a fascinating city, not only for a comfortable
blend of east and west, but also for a cosy mixture of the past and present. It is still the
commercial centre of the country. Situated 34 km. from the International Airport, Colombo has
been a flourishing seaport for centuries
Anuradhapura
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
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.
Sigiriya
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
Polonnaurwa
The island's medieval capital (11th to 13th century A.D.) is situated 216 km. from Colombo and rose
to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura. 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
Dambulla
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
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.
Aluvihara
26 km. from Kandy is the Matale district. An ancient rock temple of
great significance in the history of Buddhism. The Buddhist canon
and its commentaries, which were till then handed down orally, were
written for the first time at Aluvihara Temple.
Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, which fell to the British in 1815. The
Kingdom of Kandy resisted European takeover for more than 300 years, after the coastal
regions had succumbed, and the city of Kandy remains the Sinhalese Cultural & Spiritual
Center.