Air Port
Bandaranaike International Airport (also known as Katunayake International Airport and Colombo International Airport ) (IATA: CMB , ICAO: VCBI ) is Sri Lanka's only international airport. It is located in Katunayake , 35 km (22 mi) north of Colombo. It is administered by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. It is the hub of SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, and Mihin Lanka, the budget airline of Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura Anu-radha-pura Kingdom lasted one thousand and five hundred years from 380BC. This city is home to many of the earliest grandest monuments of Sri Lanka. A popular destination of Sinhalese Buddhist's prilgimages because of its many ancient Buddhist monuments.
Anuradhapura
The longest capital lasted in Sri Lanka. It is known as first ancient city of country. The city is significant for locals in terms of religion, history and culture
Central Highlands
Bio diversity of the area surrounded by peak wilderness, Hortan plains and Knuckles forest has brought exotic atmosphere where locals are highly attracted.
Dambulla
Located in central part of the country and world famous for well-preserved Cave Temple. The caves are attracted by statues and paintings. The rocks are surrounded in plains.
Sigiriya
Eight wonder of the world where used an ancient castle by king Kasyapa in the 5th Century AD. Upper sky palace situated on the flat top of the rock built in the water ponds. The rock was used as palace as well as fortress.
Galle
Southern Capital of the country popular for fort built by Portuguese and main harbour was used in same era. Galle was an important city under Portuguese and Dutch rule.
Kandy
The second capital of the country. Temple of the Sacred Tooth relic “Sri dalada Maligawa” royal palace for Buddhist located in Kandy. It is believed that whoever owns the relic rules the country from ancient time.
Sinharaja Forest
Virgin rain forest named by UNESCO as biosphere reserve and world heritage site. National park of the Sri Lanka spread from hills to lowland. The forest abundant of biological species including trees and insects.
Polonnaruwa
Most ancient city after Anuradhapura. King Vijayabahu united country in 1070 CE under rule of Chole invaders. His grandson King Parakramabahu sustained country by rice and developed irregation system.
Yala
Yala National Park is geographically located in Sri Lanka at latitude 06°16' - 06°42' North and longitude 81°15' - 81°42' East. The Park can be visited via the town of Tissamaharama in the Hambantota District of the Southern Province. While Block I has good access roads, access to Blocks II and III is limited mainly to dry weather. There are eight Park bungalows all of which are within Yala Block I. Another has been constructed at Katagamuwa Sanctuary, and one more is now ready for occupation in Yala Block IV. Accommodation is available for 8-10 people in each bungalow on the basis of prior reservations with the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Apart from resident visitors occupying the bungalows, a large number of day visitors enter the Park.
The Block I boundaries of the Park, take in 19 kilometers of sea coast in the southeast from Amaduwa to Yala, 19 kilometers from Yala up the Menik Ganga to Pahalahentota, 19 kilometers from Pahalahentota to Bambawa, and 3 kilometers from Bambawa to Palatupana.
Colombo
Colombo is the commercial and financial capital of Sri Lanka after the administrative capital was moved to Sri Jayewardenepura-Kotte, a suburb east of the city. Weather wise, the best time to visit is during the North East monsoon season, which is November to April.
Colombo , city in western Sri Lanka and a major port near the mouth of the Kelani River. The commercial capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo is the largest city in the country and owes its importance largely to its great breakwaters, which give shelter to a large, artificially created harbor. Beira Lake, administratively part of the port of Colombo, is connected with the harbor by a canal and locks.
Trinco
The truce between the Tamil Tigers and the government has paved way for easier access to the Trincomalee and surrounding area almost after two decade. Trinco as it is commonly called, has been a sea port since the days of the ancient Kings and one of the British Empire's most important ports in Asia during the second world war. From 1941-45, Trinco had been the headquarters of Lord Louis Mountbatten Allied Southeast Asia commander.
Negombo
Negombo is a beautiful beach resort on the western coast of Sri Lanka, just a short drive north of Columbo. As it is also very close to the airport, Negombo is a convenient place to either begin or end your trip to Sri Lanka. You can relax on beautiful beaches, view incredible sunsets and enjoy western and Sri Lankan food. Sea food is very popular and is caught fresh daily by Negombo fishermen.
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is a very popular beach destination just a few hours from Colombo on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. Tourists can enjoy days relaxing at the beach and dining on delicious Sri Lankan and western food. Fresh fish is the specialty. Glass bottom boats offer fantastic views of coral reefs just off shore. For thoses interested in diving, complete diving facilities are available. Be sure to watch the beautiful sunset where a dazzling show of colors lights up the sky!
Horton Plains
Sri Lanka is undoubtedly one of the world's best nature reserves and eco tourism venues. It is characterised by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, covered in upper montane forest and wet patana grassland.In general, the forests are seen on the hilltops or upper slopes the grasslands in the valleys and lower slopes, eventually giving way to wetland habitats. Spanning approximately 10,000 hectares the park is also home to a wide variety of flora (57 species, 29 endemic to Sri Lanka) and 24 species of mammal such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine and leopard. For bird enthusiasts, there 87 species (14 of which are endemic), including many migratory birds.
The Plains also feature many interesting attractions such as 'Bakers Falls', 'Chimmini Pool' and the famous 'World's End' (a 3700 ft sheer drop that offers fabulous views of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline).
Habarana
Elephants are the main attraction in Habarana National Park on the way to the north. The Tank, forest and the peaceful environment of Habarana is appreciated by any tourist who enjoys wild life and elephant safaris , birds and nature.
Kitulgala
Kithulgala (Kelani Valley Forest Reserve) was established to protect the watershed of the Kelani River. It is home to many of Sri Lanka's endemic fauna and flora. Kithulgala is more widely known as the location for the filming of 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. If you're looking for an action-packed adventure on the water, why not go for a white water experience in the numerous rapids found in Sri Lanka ? This activity is great fun for first-timers and experts alike, with a wide range and grading of rapids on some of Sri Lanka 's more turbulent waters such as the Kelani river. Kitulgala in the hill country, southwest of Kandy provides an ideal base from which many white water rafting tours take place.
Embilipitiya
Embilipitya is near Udawalawe games park. The Elephants of Uda walawe makes Embilitiya is a beautiful city with Chandrika Wewa Tank and nature, Home grown Sri Lankan Vegetables and Fruits. Embilipitiya is an important city situated in the cross roads to Matara, Hambantota, Ratnapura from Wellawaya and Monaragala and Haputale.
Arugam bay
Arugam Bay is situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's South-East coast. The Bay is located 220 km due East of Colombo. It is a popular surfing and tourist destination. Many of the buildings were destroyed in the 2004 tsunami.Due to its popularity among tourists thearea has managed a slow recovery by private initiatives only.The main road through town has not been repaved yet.By April,2008 no help has been received from any official source or International organizations. An exception is uncoordinated support for fishing folk as well as many school rebuilding programs, sadly resulting in a continuation to
provide only separatist schools for each Community
He Bay hosts a large fleet of fishing boats which operate off the beach. Many organizations donated boats after the tsunami andas sa result there are far more fishing boats than ever before.The main beach is bit dirty as it is used as a garbage dump and a toilet by some locals.Nearby beaches are more esthetically pleasing and also have excellent waves. Arugam Surf Point has a very long, consistent, sectiony right hand break.Many organizations claim to ha ve done extensive work in the area, but locally and on close inspection no progress can be observed so far, end first quarter, 2008.US 'Mercy Corps' has been the most active organization, funded by Oprah Whinfrey 'Angel Network', following a huge fund-raising TV series in the States.Sadly, none of their projects survived the first year of operation.A bridge survived the first year of operation. A bridges being constructed by USAID to replace the old, original landmark box girder construction linking Arugam Bay with PottuVille town. There is excellent elephant viewing nearby as well as two types of monkeys wandering around the area.
Hakgala Botanical Garden
Where plants and trees from around the world seen at home. Hakgala Botanical Gardens, just 10km away from Nuwara Eliya City. Hakgala is one of the places one visits as an essential part of a pleasant journey in the famous hill resort of Nuwara Eliya. The site is legendary. It was once the pleasure garden of Ravana of the Ramayana epic and according to many, it was one of the places where the beautiful Sitha was hidden by the demon king. The present botanic gardens were founded in 1860 by the eminent British botanist Dr. G.H.K. Thwaites who was superintendent of the more famous gardens at Peradeniya, near Kandy.
Peradeniya Botanical Garden
ituated in the Hill capital Kandy. This visit to this garden will provide spectacles at extraordinary beauty and absorbing interest for any nature lover and casual visitor. 68 miles off-Colombo, 4 miles off Kandy this garden dates from 14th century reign of king Vikrama Bahu III. Peradeniya is well know for it's large variety of plants ornaments, useful machine and other creepers that produce the special spices at Sri Lanka. The great lawns highlight huge tropical trees and variety at bamboo can be found in one place. The best know attraction of the garden is the orchid House, which houses more than 300 varieties of exquisite orchids. A spice garden gives you a first hand introduction to the trees and plants used for the traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Mahaweli river, Sri Lanka's longest river surrounding this garden gives an added beauty to this garden. It wont be wrong to say that this garden is one of it's best kind in the world and the best in Asia.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Elephants are magnificent land animals, with a thick skin and a curved trunk. Watching these gigantic wild, semi wild mammals is a lifetime experience. Sri Lanka has considerable number of the world's elephant population. Visitors can enjoy watching wild elephants in wildlife parks such as Yala, Wasgamuwa, Udawalawa, Habarana and Mineriya. But to those who want to see the tamed and semi wiled elephants in close proximity the best place is the "Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage". It is located northwest of Kegalle town along the Colombo ~ Kandy main road. The orphanage is in a twenty five acre coconut land near Maha Oya. The wide area of shallow water and the huge rocks of Maha Oya make the ideal place to these magnificent animals. This facility was established in year 1975 as a conservation breading center for Elephants by Sri Lanka Wildlife department. It was started with a heard of five baby Elephants. In year 1978 it was taken over by the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala Elephant orphanage is treated as one of the largest breading center in the world. Today the heard has grown up to 69 elephants. Among the many elephants of the orphanage there are three of them which will definitely get your attention. Namely "PANDU" "RAJA" and "SAMA
Wilpatthu
WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK is located 26 km north of Puttalam (approximately 180 km north of Colombo) spanning from the northwest coast inland towards the ancient capital of Anuradhapura (50 km to the east of the park). Covering an impressive 425 sq miles, the park is Sri Lanka 's largest, and having reopened in March, 2010 it is just a matter of time before it becomes a popular eco-tourism destination. Wilpattu is a fairly thick dry zone jungle interspersed with a number of flood plain lakes banked with delicate white sands. It boasts an impressive variety of flora in huge expanses of forest, and varied wildlife, including deer, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears and leopards.
Udawalawe
The Udawalawe National Park situated in the dry zone of the country and belonging to Sabaragamuwa & Uva provinces. The park area is 30,821 ha. The park was established in 1972.
The park lies within dry zone and small segment lies within intermediate zone. The long dry season is characteristic feature. Main source of rainfall is southwest monsoon (May September) and mean annual rainfall is about 1520mm. the mean annual temperature is around 29 ? C. Park consists of dry lowland forest, riverine forest, thorny scrublands and grasslands. One special attraction of the park is the Udawalawe reservoir and the Walawe River which flows through the park.
Ratnapura
Ratnapura lies 101 Km Southeast of Colombo. The scenic route takes you passing paddy fields, rubber plantations and tea estates. Throughout history, Sri Lanka has been known as a land of gems. King Solomon was said to have procured a great ruby for the queen of Sheba from Ceylon (Sri Lanka's former name). Marco Polo (1293 AD) wrote about the ruby that once graced the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba at Anuradhapura..."a flawless ruby a span long and quite as thick as a man's fist". Sri Lanka has produced three of the world's largest blue sapphires, including the 'Blue Bell' which adorns the British crown and the 'Star of India', displayed at the New York Museum of Natural History. A visit to one of the museums or many gem workshops will give you the opportunity to see a variety of precious stone, such as rubies, sapphires, cat's eyes, alexandrites, aquamarines, tourmalines, spinels, topaz, garnets, amethyst, zircons etc. You could also visit one of the gem mines
Nuwara Eliya
Nwara Eliya is a mountain station at 1,868 m (6,128 ft) of altitude, in a splendid landscape. The city pretends to be particularly well-kept and neat, and the always green grass gives to the locality an aspect of "colonial British style".
Nuwara Eliya was built entirely during the 19th century and its architecture mimics that of an English country town, with red-brick walls, country house like hill club and mock-Tudor half-timbering. Blessed with salubrious climate, breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, mountains and greenery; it's hard to imagine that Nuwara Eliya is only 180 Km from the hot and humid Colombo. Temperatures are 14C-21C (Jan- April) 16C-18C (May-Aug) 15C- 18C (Sept-Dec).
Ella
Ella is blessed with some of the most beautiful views, you could find in Sri Lanka. Only 8 km from Bandarawela, this small town is used as a base for plenty of trekking expeditions to the surrounding countryside. A taste of the breathtaking scenery of Ella could be had, if you just walk into the Garden of the Grand Ella Motel (Formerly Ella Rest House), where you seem to be standing at the edge of the world, and everything around you seems to disappear at your feet. Another fine view is from the Ambiente Hotel, where the wide doorway, opens out to the mountains, creating a dramatic cinematic like experience, on entry. Some of the places you could see in Ella are the Ella Gap, Ravana Ella Falls, Little Adam's Peak and Bambaragala Peak among the other many varied pleasant walks with stunning scenery.
Beruwala
Beruwela on Sri Lanka's West Coast maintained its small fishing village charm despite being next to the major beach resorts of Bentota and Aluthgama. See the fresh catch brought by the colorful fishing boats early in the morning, stroll over the idyllic markets and enjoy one of the longest beaches in Sri Lanka. While the center of Beruwela is a busy commercial town, the beach areas and surrounding residential areas are quiet and tranquilled.. The beaches good for swimming and there is always a breeze, making even a mid-day stroll very pleasant. Close by is also has a turtle hatchery and if you are lucky you may spot one of these slow and gentle creatures.
Bentota
his sparsely populated beach is located in the Galle district, 62 Km south of Colombo. It is a well-developed town with several hotels, railway station, post office, shopping arcade and a cafeteria, surrounded by swaying palm trees. Bentota also has an open-air theatre where folk and mask dancing performances are staged regularly. Bentota has many delightful resorts and is ideally located for those wishing to visit other resorts along the 130 km long golden coastline. At Bentota, you can take a safari at the Yala Wild Life Park, enjoy various water sports, explore the coral reefs in a glass boat, visit historical sights and release three-day-old turtle hatchlings into the sea.