Paradise

Sri Lanka is a land of remarkable variety. The topography varies from the sandy beaches and coastal plains to hills of over 2000 metre elevation. The temperature is in the region of 25 ° C to 35 ° C in the coastal regions and 10 ° to 20 ° C in the central hill country. The annual rainfall exceeds 5,000 mm in the south west but is less than 1,000 mm in the north and east. Colombo is a bustling modern commercial city but a 4 hour drive will take you to the ancient capital of Anuradhapura dating back to the 5th century BC.

KANDY

The hill capital. 116 km from Colombo, at an elevation of 600 metres, set amidst great scenic beauty around the Kandy Lake. Cool climate. The most important place is the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Tooth, deeply venerated by all Buddhists. There are several other Buddhist temples, and a few places of worship of other religions. The Kandy Perahera in July/ August is one the most beautiful pageants in the country.

Two places are well worth a visit en route to Kandy. One is the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, with over 100 elephants from young calves to fully grown adults. Pinnawela is 6 km north on the Rambukkana road, the turn off being near the 82 km post on the Colombo Kandy road. The herd of elephants bathe and frolic in the adjoining river from 10.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 14.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs every day (except when the river is in spate) and it is a sight worth going a long way to see.

The other place worth a visit is the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, just 3 km before reaching Kandy. Sri Lanka is rich in fauna and flora and Pinnawala Orphanage and the Peradeniya Gardens are examples of this diversity.

NUWARAELIYA

The highest major town in Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 1,800 metres. The temperature varies from 10 ° to 20 ° C, dropping to near zero temperatures during winter nights. Occasional frost has been observed. The climb to this town is through the most spectacular mountain scenery and lush tea estates. Horticulture and vegetable and fruit gardening are some of the principal activities.

ANURADHAPURA & POLONNARUWA

Anuradhapura was the first capital of Sri Lanka, from the 5th century BC and Polonnaruwa was the second, from the 11th century AC. Both are full of archaeological remains dating back to these periods. The Sri Maha Bodhi - sacred Bo Tree - at Anuradhapura is a sapling from the original Bo Tree under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment and is deeply venerated by all Buddhists. Three huge dagobas dominate the landscape at Anuradhapura - Ruwanveliseya, 2nd century BC, 90.6 metres in diameter and 91.4 metres in height; Abhayagiri 1st century AC, 94.5 m diameter, 74. 7 m height; Jetawana 4th century AC, 99.1m diameter, 70.7m height.

However the oldest, Thuparamaya 3rd century BC, is a much smaller structure with a diameter of 12 metres. Isurumuniya, the Sedant Buddha statue, the twin ponds, Brazen palace are a few of the other remarkable monuments with which Anuradhapura is dotted. The three reservoirs shown in the map, Tissa Wewa, Basawakkulama and Nuwara Wewa, now restored and functioning, date back from ancient times.

In Polonnaruwa, the Gal Vihara, Kiri Vihare, Rankoth Vihara, Alahena Pirivena, Demala Mahaseya, Thivanka Image House, Lankatilleka Vihare, Siva Devales, and the Rock statue are some of the monuments from the ancient past. The Parakrama Samudra built in the 12th century AC has an earthen dam 13.5 km in length.

A person who has not made a special study of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa would be well advised to obtain the services of a qualified guide to really appreciate the remarkable monuments in the two ancient cities.

GALLE

The history of Galle dates back to ancient times. It was the main port till Colombo was built in the late 19th century. The most striking feature at present is the Dutch Fort built in 1663 and in a very good state of preservation, with thick rock ramparts surrounding the Fort. Many of the buildings and roads inside the Fort are from Dutch times, and even bear Dutch names, Leyn Baan Street, Groote Kirk etc. The oldest hotel in Sri Lanka, the New Oriental Hotel dating from the 19th century is in an old Dutch building.