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Things To See & Do
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Things To See & Do
•
Galle, 116km (72 miles) from Colombo,
Sri Lanka's capital city, is famous for its old Dutch
fort, and is also a centre for lace-making,
ebony-carving and gem-polishing.
• The Vihara Maha Devi Park in
Colombo is named after the mother of one of Sri
Lanka’s greatest kings, and is noteworthy
for its collection of beautiful flowering trees,
a blossoming spectacle in March, April and early
May. The park is open daily until 2100 and is
well illuminated.
• Sri Lanka is replete with
spectacular-looking sites of worship. There are
numerous Buddhist temples scattered around
Sri Lanka: Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya, 10km
(6 miles) from Fort; the Vajiraramaya at
Bambalapitiya, 6km (4 miles) from Fort; Dipaduttaramaya
at Kotahena, 5km (3 miles) from Fort; and Gotami
Vihare at Borella, 7km (4.5 miles)
from Fort. Also worth visiting are the Gangaramaya
Bhikkhu Training Centre and Sima Malaka
at 61 Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo, 3km (2 miles)
from Fort; the Purana Viharaya at Metharamaya,
Lauries Road, Colombo 4; and the Purana
Viharaya at Hendala, 0.8km (0.5 miles)
on the Colombo–Negombo road, en-route to the
Pegasus Reef Hotel. Additionally, there
are also some Hindu temples to explore: at Kochikade
Kotahena, the Pettah and Bambalapitiya,
Colombo 4; Sri Siva Subramania Swami Kovil,
Gintupitiya – within walking distance
of Sea Street, Colombo 11 (Pettah). Reflecting
Sri Lanka's diverse communities, there also
mosques worth visiting in the Davatagaha
mosque at Union Place, Colombo 2; and
the Afar Jumma mosque in the Pettah.
• Kandy, a picturesque, naturally
fortified town, 115km (72 miles) from Colombo,
was the last stronghold of the Kandyan Kings. It
withheld foreign conquest until 1815 when it was
ceded by treaty to the British. It is now a
cultural sanctuary where age-old customs, arts,
crafts, rituals and ways of life are well
preserved.
• See Sri Lanka’s oldest and best-known
fishing village, Negombo, 37km (32 miles)
from Colombo, near Katunayake International
Airport. It stands on a strand separating the sea
from a lagoon. The seafood here, particularly the
shellfish, is a speciality.
• Sri Lanka has approximately 1600km (1000
miles) of beautiful palm-shaded beaches as
well as warm, pure seas and colourful coral
reefs. The best time to visit Sri Lanka's
southern beaches is from November to April. Mount
Lavinia, 12km (7 miles) from Colombo, is a
good beach resort close to Colombo and the
domestic airport. Overlooking the area is what
was The Governors House, built in 1805 by
Sir Thomas Maitland, and now is the famous Mount
Lavinia Hotel. Beruwela, 56km (35
miles) from Colombo, has good bathing in
the bay all year round. Bentota, 64km (40
miles) from Colombo, is a pleasant self-contained
resort destination, between the sea and the
river. The Bentota resort is an interesting diving
spot where multi-hued fish can be observed among
myriad reef-dwellers. Hikkaduwa, 98km (61
miles) from Colombo, is a beautiful coral reef
and beach. Regarded as a haven for surfers,
watersports enthusiasts and snorkellers,
this is a beautiful and colourful marine area,
rife for exploration. Tangale, 195km (122
miles) from Colombo, is a beautiful bay and there
is safe swimming all year round. The safe
sea and wide sandy expanse always entices a
multitude of sun-seeking visitors. At Unawatuna
in Galle is a beach area acclaimed as
being among the top-15 beaches in the world, with
safe waters within a picturesque setting.
Trincomalee, 257km (160 miles) from Colombo, is
the ideal refuge for the beach addict. It boasts
one of the finest natural harbours in the world
and excellent beaches. All watersports,
including fishing, are available here.
There are many tempting underwater shipwrecks to
explore for the intrepid diver. Batticaloa,
312km (195 miles) from Colombo, is famous for its
‘singing fish’ and the old Dutch fort. Kalkudah,
32km (20 miles) from Batticaloa, is ideal for
bathing as the sea is clear, calm and
reef-protected. Passekudah, close to Kaludah,
has a fine bay, clear waters and safe swimming. Arugam
Bay, 314km (196 miles) from Colombo, 3km (2
miles) from Potuvil, has a beautiful bay
and good surfing. Water-skiing and yachting
are available. Windsurfing is a sport that
is gaining in popularity and facilities are
located in Bentota, Beruwela, Kalutara and
Negombo.
• For those searching for geological quirks,
Kundawella is the scene of a large blowhole
that operates as a natural spout, gushing water
into the air and over the rocks of the beach.
• Jaffna is 396km (240 miles) from
Colombo, at the country’s northern tip, and
is both city and seaport. It was once noted for
its Hindu temples, Dutch forts, the Keerimalai
Baths, the tidal well and the Chundikulam
Sanctuary. Jaffna has many scenic beaches,
the best known of which is Casuarina Beach.
• Nilaveli, 18km (11 miles) from
Trincomalee, is very much a resort centre - all
beach and watersports. Whale watching is
also one of its special attractions.
• There are a number of animal and bird
sanctuaries and national parks where protected wildlife
can be viewed. Several species are unique to the
island, while some others have been introduced.
Sri Lanka is well known for its elephants,
sizeable numbers of which can be seen in Gal
Oya and Udawalawe National Parks and
at Handapangala. Other large
mammals include leopards, deer and bears. Wild
boars, porcupines and monkeys also exist,
especially the Grey Langur which is common
throughout the island. The native purple-faced
Leaf Monkey is to be found in the higher hill
regions. Of the 38 species of amphibian, 16 are
unique to the island. Reptiles include two native
crocodiles, the star tortoise, five species of
turtle and many snakes. The five species of
poisonous snake are rarely found in towns and
villages. The island’s flora varies
greatly, ranging from temperate to tropical
forests and from arid scrubland and plains to
lush hills. There are rhododendron forests as
well as tropical rainforests. Orchids and
flowering trees can be seen in season.
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