Abhayagiri monastic complex is a World Heritage Site. Abhayagiriya is the tallest brick edifice of the ancient world with its original height being 350 feet. Abhayagiri Monastery was built by Kin (...)

The 2,243 m (7,359 ft) Adam's Peak is also known as Sri Pada, which means Sacred Footprint - referring to the rock formation at the summit. While Buddhists believe it to be an imprint of the Buddha' (...)

This is a monastic complex that is said to have been established by King Parakaramabahu. It is believed to have extended over an area of eighty hectares, The Lankathilaka image house with its coloss (...)

Located a short distance from Matale town, Aluwihara signifies the greatest single event since the Buddha’s (Parinibbana) . It was here that the Tripitake (Scriptures) were committed to writing in t (...)

Bere Lake is located in the middle of Colombo. This lake was built by Portuguese and the lake was connected with many water ways. The Portuguese used theses water ways as their transportation routes (...)

This magnificent museum housed in a large white colonial period building with an imposing façade was opened in 1877. Exhibits include various sculptures from all over the island royal costumes and or (...)

The Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha which is an object of great veneration by Buddhists is housed at the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Buddhists that the blessings of th (...)

Visitors can reach the Rock Temple through four entrances; 2 entrances from Kandy road (A-9), other from Kurunegala -Dambulla road (A-6) and the fourth from the Valagamba Pirivena. All these route (...)

During the Dutch period it was a military fortress. It was built by the Portuguese 1623AD. This port was captured by the Dutch in 1639, and later in 1795 was captured by the British. The Koneshwaram (...)

The Galvihra of ‘Rock Monastery’ said to have been built by Parakramabahu(i) contains three large image of the Buddha hewn out of granite, These include the images of the seated Buddha, standing B (...)

In 1505, the Portuguese invaded Galle and built a temporary fort which was destroyed by the King of Sitavaka Rajasinha. There after the Portuguese built a much stronger fort in 1619 intended as a (...)

Gangaramaya is a colourful temple near the Bere Lake. The temple complex is home to a resident tusker and a small museum housing an eclectic collection of gifts and religious items. This temple become (...)

Isurumuniya is among the most beautiful works of art in Anuradhapura. It was founded by King Devanam Piyatissa in the 3rd century BC. The famous sculpture here is known as “The Isurumuniya Lovers”. (...)

Jetavanaramaya,one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Anuradhapura, was established by King Mahasen around the 3rd century A.D. The site is particularly important in view of its colossal (...)

According to legendary history, Ruhunu Ktaragama Maha Devalaya was built by King Dutugemunu around 160 years B.C. This is a Hindu and Buddhist temple complex shrine dedicated to Lord Katirkaman also k (...)

According to the legend, Lord Buddha on his third and last visit to Sri Lanka, was believed to have met King Mahasena who ruled the Kataragama area in 580 BC, listened to the Buddha discourse and a (...)

This stupa is believed to have been erected by Parkramabahu(i) on behalf of his consort Queen Subadra. The name Kirivehera literally means milk stupa and probably took its name from the many layers (...)

Kandy Lake is a manmade lake created in 1807 by the last King of Kandy. King Sri Wikrena Rajasinha. A decorative wall, called the Walakul wall, runs for 2060 feet along the banks of the lake . In the (...)

Hindu temple inside Fort Frederick. Visitors and Hindu devotees visit the Kovil throughout the year. This is also known as the temple of a thousand pillars. It is recorded that when the Portuguese bui (...)

It is situated between Ruvanveliseya and Sri Maha Bodhiya. In ancient times the building included the refectory and the uposathagara. There was also a Seemamalakaya where monks assembled on poya (...)

King Dutugamunu (161-137 BC) after defeating King Elara, built the Mirisavetiya Stupa. It is said that he remembered that he partook of a chilly curry without offering it to the sangha. In expiation (...)

The architecture of this image house is fusion of Hindu and Buddhist styles which is very rarely seen anywhere else, It was built in the 8th century Nalanda is situated one km to the east of the A9 (...)

The palace of King Parakramabahu (i) built in the 12th century, with its spacious court and peripheral guardrooms, covers an area of about 10 acres, Excavations have revealed a vast central courtyar (...)

The Parakrama Samudraya of "Sea of Parakrama" a gigantic reservoir, was constructed by King Parakramabahu the great in the 12th century by combining an earlier reservoir named “Thopawawa” and two o (...)

This is believed to have been built by Nissanka Malla. Its name Rankoth of ‘Golden Point’ is said to have derived from the Suvannatthupika or golden pointed cone with which the Chulavamsa says King (...)

The monastic residence complex of Abhayagiriya (Uttara Maha Chethiya) also known as Pirivena, Pradada or Arama consists of principle residential units with small associates residential units at the (...)

Situated in the massive Ella rock, this cave is associated with Ravana, the demon King of Lanka who imprisoned Rams’s wife Sita as related in the Hindu epic Ramayana. According to the legend this cave (...)

This palace, said to have belonged to King Nissanka Malla (12th Century), is situated in the Dipuyyana or island park, a promontory jutting out into the Thopawewa. The audience hall contains pillar (...)

King Vijayabahu I, built the 1st Palace in the Citadel. During the rebellion staged by the Velaikkar soldiers when the King was away, the palace was torched, At this site you can see the ruins of th (...)

The large stupa is said to have been built by King Dutugemunu (137-119 BC) in the first century B.C. The Mahawansa has it. That it supported a massive 9 storey structure known as the Loha Prasada (...)

Samadhi Buddha Image in ‘Samadhi’ posture is situated in between the Abhayagiriya stupa and Twin Ponds and belongs to the Abayagiri Arama Complex. This image is a well proportioned figure and proba (...)

This is a 32 feet high stupa of unusual stepped pyramidal form. This structure built in the 12th century is said to resemble the type of stupa found in countries like Cambodia.

You can visit the Sigiriya Handcraft Village, which was established under the Ministry of Rural Economic Development, and there are stalls of villagers who are engaged in woodcraft, brass work, clay (...)

The Sigiriya museum was built with the assistance extended by the Japanese government. The architecture of the building is an ambitious modern expression of an ancient building concept. This new mu (...)

Kandy Dalada Procession of the Kandy Esala Perahera has become a unique symbol of Sri Lanka. This grand festival consists of dancers and procession of gaily decorated elephants attired in attractive (...)

On the south of Fort, is a long narrow island-where the slaves had their night quarters - called Slave island. Today this area is surrounded by the remains of the former Beira Lake and is home to many (...)

This is the sacred Bodhi Tree worshipped by Buddhists all over Sri Lanka. It is said to have sprung from a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha Attained enlightenment. After the (...)

Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthanam is a temple or Kovil 56 located in Matale city that is known for the colorful chariots located at the temple, Its history goes back to over 300 years. The Masi Mahots (...)

A trough made out of stone has been excavated within the refectory of the monastery by the Cultural Triangle Project, This trough has a capacity of placing five thousand alms bowls within it. It is al (...)

This is called Cobra Hooded Cave as per its shape, There are many prehistoric paintings of flora and animals on its ceiling and they are different from the ones on the rock wall. Below the drip ledg (...)

As described in the great chronicles, King Parakramabahu (i) planted one thousand plants of every variety in the Laksa Uyana during his kingdom in Polonnaruwa. Polinnaruwa is described as garden cit (...)

The independence Square is a national monument built to commemorate gaining independence from the British 1n 1948. This is a public place and popular for jogging. Many residents of Colombo can be see (...)

The Lion Staircase is the most dramatic feature. The two colossal paws and bricks surrounding the limestone are preserved and are very impressive. This Lion’s paw is the entrance to the top of the (...)

This is located in between the Maligawa and the Royal Palace. The replica of the ‘Raja’ elephant has been erected by using its skin, This elephant had served the Maligawa for over 50 years.

The Museum of the Balada Maligawa is located in the second and third floors of the Aluth Maligawa, These museums were established by the Diyawadana Nilame, Nissanka Wijeratne (1974-1985 A.D) Many a (...)

The Sigiriya Palace complex consists of three distinct parts. The outer palace (lower palace) occupies the lower eastern part of the summit. The inner palace (upper palace) occupies the high western (...)

It is known as Kuttam Pokuna in Sinhala, and this can be considered one of the most outstanding architectural and artistic creations of ancient Sri Lanka.

Among the many Kandyan - era temples that dot the area around Kandy, the Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka and Embekke Devale temples are exceptional. These three temples date from the 14th century, when th (...)

This is the first stupa in Anuradhapura, though not as big as the other, The shape of the stupa is like a heap of paddy. This was built in the time of King Devanampitissa (250BC -210 BC) enshrining (...)

This is situated to the South West in the quadrangle and is a well preserved monument. This is believed to have been built by King Parakramabahu the Great.

Built by Parakramabahu (i) this is a circular relic house which is said to have formerly housed the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. The building consisted of two concentric terraces including an u (...)

A famous church which dates back to the Dutch period. Built in 1749, this impressive church characterized by a Doric façade also contains numerous tombstones of Dutch officials.

The Pothgul Vehera or Library Monastery takes its name from the circular library situated in the monastery complex. To the north of this site is a huge sculptured figure with skull-cup and lower gar (...)