Sri Lanka is famous for sandy beaches, sunshine, tropical weather, ancient ruins, elephants, tea, cricket, wildlife. Sri Lankan visitor manufacturing is booming after finishing 30 years of war. Every month number of tourists increasing. 30 years before no body visited Maldives, all European, American, Asian tourists came to Sri Lanka to enjoy sandy beaches and sunshine.
1. Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is one of the olden capitals of Sri Lanka, well-known for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan people. From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the start of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the steadiest and durable centers of political power and city life in South Asia. The olden city, considered blessed to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²). Anuradhapura is also significant in Hindu legend as the fabled capital of the Asura King Ravana in the Ramayana.
2. Arugambay
Arugam Bay is located on the Indian Ocean in the waterless zone of Sri Lanka's southeast beach. The Arugam Bay is situated 320 km due east of Colombo. It is a well-liked surfing and tourist goal. Due to its attractiveness among low budget tourists, the area has managed a slow revival. By private initiatives only. The main road through town has still not been repaved. Work is in growth to improve road access to the area. But in Arugam Bay itself, little has altered. As late as May, 2009 no help has been received from any official foundation or international organizations. An omission is ungraceful support for fishing folk as well as many school reconstruction programs, resulting in a continuance to provide only separatist schools for each community.
3. Bentota
A Sri Lankan coastal city well-known for golden beaches, Bentota is located on the southern coastal angle of the Galle District of the Southern Province. The town is a well-liked tourist place. It is particularly well-known among the foreign tourists. The name comes from a mythological story which dates back to kings time saying a demon called Bem ruled this river ( total = river bank). Bentota hosts a handful of world proclaim hotels. It is the hosting land for the well-known Sri Lankan Jeweler Aida. Bentota also delivers an olden art of curing called Ayurveda. Bentota is also famous for its making in Toddy. An alcoholic drink made out of coconut nectar. The city's population is probable to be between 25,000-50,000.
4. Beruwela
Beruwela is a little resort town in the south western coastal girdle of Sri Lanka.
The name Beruwela is derivative from the Sinhalese word Beruwela (the place where the sail is lower). It marks the spot for the first Muslim completion on the island, recognized by Arab traders in the region of the 8th century AD. Large populations of Sri Lankan Moors, many of them are gem merchants, still live in the town-- mainly in the "China Fort". Msjid-ul-Abrar, a landmark of Beruwela and Sri Lanka's oldest mosque, was built by Arab traders on a gravel peninsula overlooking the town.
Situated about fifteen kilometers east of HambantotaBundala National Park is one of Sri Lanka's leading destinations for birdwatchers, caring an important area of coastal marshland well-known for its plentiful sea (and other) birdlife. The park is also home to large populations of elephants, marshland & estuarine crocodiles, turtles & other fauna, as well as the leopard. Stretching along the coast east of Hambantota, Bundala National Park is model for instant satisfaction: in a four hour jeep ride, we can see elephants, 8ft crocs, giant squirrels & flamingoes. Afternoon safaris in the waterless period (December - May) provide visitors with the best possibility of seeing the nature.
6. Colombo
The name "Colombo", first introduced by the Portuguese in 1505, is believed to be derived from the standard Sinhalese name Kolonthota, meaning "port on the river Kelani". It has also been optional that the name may be derivative from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means "Harbour with leafy mango trees". Due to its big harbour and its strategic place along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to olden traders 2,000 years ago. However it was only made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, and its condition as capital was retained when the nation became self-governing in 1948. In 1978, when organizational functions were moved to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Colombo was chosen as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.
7. Dambulla
Major attraction of the city include the biggest and greatest potted cave temple complex of Sri Lanka, and the RangiriDambulla global Stadium, well-known for being built in just 167 days.
The city also boasts to have the biggest rose quartz peak range in South Asia, and the Iron wood forest, or NamalUyana. Ibbankatuwa primitive burial site near Dambulla cave temple complex is the newest archaeological site of significant historical importance found in Dambulla, which is situated within 3 kilometers of the cave temples provided that proof on presence of native civilisations long before the arrival of Indian power on the Island nation.
8. Hikkaduwa - Coral reef & sandy beaches
Hikkaduwa is a little town on the south coast of Sri Lanka. It is situated in the Southern region, about 20 km north-west of Galle. Hikkaduwa is well-known for its beach and corals. Villages affected were Telwatta, Paraliya, Dodanduwa, Kahawa, and Rathgama. The place on the way from Colombo to Galle on the well-known Galle road. It is principally a tourist destination, and serves as a great beach with options to surf, snorkel and enjoy the sun.
9. Kalpitiya
Despite its natural attractiveness, the western peninsular area of KALPITIYA in the Puttalam area of Sri Lanka is extraordinarily unhurt by visiting the attractions.
But for those fortunate enough to visit, there's an overabundance of things to see and do! With the small close-knit fishing society dominating the lives of the restricted people, visitors can get a real approaching into working life away from the city. After watching the night fishing boats return in the morning, a visit to one of the fish markets offers the opportunity to choose the evening meal straight from the fresh catch! The Dutch Fort and St Peter's Kerk church in the town itself are motivating examples of Sri Lanka's rich history and colonial past. Leisurely boat rides up the lagoon and canoe trips down the river are a pleasing way of exploring the coastline, whilst 4WD jeep rides along the isolated sand dunes between the ocean and the lagoon offer a unique way of watching the colourful evening sunsets.
10. Kandy
Kandy in Sinhala, pronounced is the English name for the city of MahaNuvara (Senkadagalapura) in the centre of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Central area and Kandy District. It dishonesty in the middle of hills in the Kandy Valley which crosses a district of tropical plantations, mostly tea. Kandy is one of the majority scenic cities in Sri Lanka. Kandy is of both an administrative and sacred city. It is the capital of the Central area and also of the administrative district of Kandy.Today Kandy offers its visitors rich collection of art and craft
and historical buildings. It includes a collection of ancient temples buildings, handicrafts, souvenirs, rich cultural practices and rituals. Most of all the world popular Kandy pageant or "Kandy AselaPererahara". Boating on the lake visiting the royal Botanical Gardens are some of other attractions.
Kandy "AselaPerahera" is annually held in the months of July or August. The inner caskets used to cover the tooth relic of Buddha is taken in a grand procession through the streets of the city. It includes traditional Kandyan dancers, drummers, flag of the provinces of Kandyan kingdom and the elephants are grandly dressed with attire specially made for them. The, it attracts large crowds from all parts of the island.
11. Polonnaruwa
The second most olden of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first stated the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who beaten the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to come together the country once more under a local leader.
12. Sigiriya - 8th wonder of the world
Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an olden rock stronghold and castle/palace ruin located in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, enclosed by the remains of a widespread network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. It is a popular tourist places, also known for its earliest paintings (frescos), very similar to those in the Ajanta Caves of India. The Sigiriya was built during the control of King Kassapa I (AD 477 – 495), and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
13. Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park is a park situated on the island of Sri Lanka. The unique feature of this park is the continuation of "Willus" (Natural lakes) - Natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Situated in the Northwest coast plain dry zone of Sri Lanka. The park is situated 30km west Anuradhapura and placed in 26 km north of Puttalam (in the region of 180 km north of Colombo). The park is 131, 693 hectares and ranges from 0 to 152 meters above sea level. Nearly sixty lakes (Willu) and tanks are establishing increase throughout Wilpattu. Wilpattu is one of the biggest and oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is among the top national parks world famous for its Leopard (Pantheraparduskotiya) population. The Leopard person in Wilpattu is still not yet known.
